Revival in the Pulpit

Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons. The turtledove, swallow, and crane are aware of their migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the Lord. - Jeremiah 8:7

Henry Blackaby, the author of Experiencing God, once said, "My observation, after 40 years of ministry, is that this is the most biblically illiterate generation I've ever known. God's people do not know the Scriptures." While I would not set up Dr. Blackaby as the ultimate authority on the subject of biblical literacy, I do respect his simple observation based upon valid ministry experience.

But, is it true?

In a day when information is available 24/7 through a plethora of technological devices, it does seem that fewer and fewer people take the time to read anything at all, much less God's Word. The idea of personal study, meditation, and reflection on that Word even seems rarer. Are we too distracted? Perhaps, but maybe it is more.

Where there is no hunger for God's truth, one must ask if that truth is being heard or received. If pastor-teachers do not probe the deep truths of Scripture, and teach them to the saints, should we expect the church to be led to the Word or gently nudged away from it? Mealy-mouthed messages from puny pulpits by feel-good false prophets can only compound the number of spiritually-dense disciples and water down the witness of the church.

Pastors who neglect the study will only promote disciples who neglect the Word. We need revival in the pulpit if we hope to see it in the pew.

An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly. - A. W. Tozer