Do you Reapeat or Reveal

Last week I started a series in our student ministry called Jesus is_____. I know, catchy title. I actually swiped the title from Judah at Generation Church. Before we went too far into the series I wanted our students to know that regardless of how much you know about Jesus, you have to be able to declare who He is to you.

If you look in Matthew 16: 13-19, how we answer Jesus' question, "who do you say that I am?", has huge implications on His power in our life. When you read the text, Jesus actually asks two questions.

1. Who do people say that I am?
2. Who do you say that I am?

In the first answer the boys are basically REPEATING information of who others have said Jesus is. In the process they spout off a couple of names, not sure if they are giving the right answer. Simon quickly answers the second question without a stutter or stammer, "You are the Messiah, Son of the Living  God." Simon wasn't just repeating information...he was REVEALING his heart.  By REVEALING his heart, Simon became Peter and was given strength that even the powers of Hell would not overcome. How we describe Jesus in our lives determines His power in our life. Are we only REPEATING what we have been told (trying to give a good Sunday school answer hoping its right) or are we REVEALING our heart (smooth, quick, personal explanation). The only way that can be REVEALED in the heart is if it's in there, and the only way it can be in there is if we put it there...because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, right.

Of course this message was meant to encourage my students to make sure that they know who Jesus is to them, and that if they are truly followers of Christ they shouldn't just be Repeating information.They should be Revealing their heart.

BUT as I was thinking back through this today, I became consumed with this thought in how it relates to pastoring, preaching, and the health of God's Church. This thought has even greater implications when it comes to building The Church (both locally and globally). When we focus on correctly answering the second question and sharing that with others.........THE CHURCH CANNOT FAIL. It's a promise made by Christ himself.

Pastors, are you only Repeating what you have been reading. Or, are you Revealing your heart? When you preach which are you doing? When you share Christ in any conversation, which are you doing? I know personally there have been times that I've caught myself just repeating information. But when The Word that God gives me becomes embedded in my heart and I Reveal it. I know it, I feel His power in my life and within the ministry that I serve...and I feel that the Powers of Hell cannot conquer me. The ones I have revealed that word to are empowered the same. Others know which you are doing too. They know a good speech from a God given Word from the heart.

We have to make sure that we soak our hearts in His word separate from our message preparation times. It's in those times that our hearts become full, and we are able to REVEAL who Christ is in us and in our church. Because, out of the abundance of the heart....the mouth speaks.