Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Prior to Preaching


“Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  and thou shalt teach them diligently” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7).  “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:2).  “My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways” (Proverbs 23:26).  “He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature… And they went forth, and preached everywhere” (Mark 16:15-20).   

The great commandment from above
That searches all we are within
Has called us first to fix our love
On Him who saved us from our sin. 

This is the foremost preparation
For all our heart, our soul, and might
Before we preach of God’s salvation
And bear the torch of Gospel light.

When this is our priority,
A love for Jesus Christ our Lord,
We preach the Gospel urgently
To show the One we have adored. 

The Lord is looking for this first: 
A love for Him within our hearts
That He may satisfy our thirst
Before our labor for Him starts.

We hear Him say “Give Me thine heart,
And let thine eyes observe My ways.” 
There’s power that He will impart
When we’re prepared to give Him praise. 

When Jesus Christ our Lord was risen
And showed His hands, His feet, and side,
His own were ready then to listen
To Him who for their sakes had died. 

We see that Christ would first bestow
A love for Him to thus prepare  
His own disciples then to go
And preach the Gospel everywhere. 

O Lord, we thank You for the reason
That motivates our hearts today
To preach Your Word in every season:  
You loved us more than we can say!

Lord, by Your love we are constrained,
And thus we are compelled to speak:
Where sin and death before had reigned,
Your grace and power saves the weak!

O Lord, as debtors to Your grace
That came at such a great expense,
We preach to Adam’s sinful race,
And share Your joy when one repents! 


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