When I was in the second grade, I was given an assignment – to compile my autobiography, the story of my own life.  The title of the assignment was “My ‘Me’ Book”.  In the midst of the crudely-crayoned pictures of my house, my family, and my pets, is an interesting page.  The caption at the top of the picture is “My Wish”.  Below that caption is a seven-year-old’s depiction of himself, standing behind the pulpit in the Lord’s church, preaching.  That’s right: from that early age, I wanted to be a preacher.
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It’s that seven-year-old’s wish that the church has allowed me to fulfill.  In the last 25 years or so, I have had the pleasure of preaching for congregations of the Lord’s people in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Of course there have been some detours:  times that I wasn’t sure of where my life would take me.  There was that job I took in desperation, working in a furniture warehouse.  There was the job in the tourism industry that allowed me to interact and entertain the public daily.  And of course, there is the position I held for more than three decads – that of elementary school teacher.  For what it’s worth, each grew me, changed me, and developed character.  They, along with the rich influence of my family, have provided me with support and encouragement.  I gained much from each of these positions, but these jobs allowed little time for that old, old desire to be a preacher.

As a part-time preacher, I studied the Old and New Testaments in a way that I have never taken the time for in the past.  Because of the extra responsibility, I’ve developed a renewed purpose in study, and I’ve realized a small amount of the burden that comes with being a spokesman of the Gospel.

You see, to be a conscientious preacher of God’s Word, I believe one must understand the underlying principle outlined by every one of the Old Testament Prophets.  Prophetic books cover over one-quarter of the Bible, yet no section of the Bible is more neglected – even by modern-day preachers.  Every one of the prophets displays a stark warning direct from God Himself.  Every one of the prophets, minor and major, reminds God’s people to remember their bondage, to remember their plight, to remember their oppressors, to remember being lost, and hungry, and cold.

More importantly, the prophets remind the people, over and over again, that they must remember the God Who delivered them from that bondage, to remember being rescued, to remember being fed, and clothed, and protected.  

Those people, God’s people had to be reminded by the prophets of the journey to the Promised Land, just as today the Lord’s people (and others who may walk through the doors) must be reminded of the bondage of sin and the oppression of the world.  Just as today, we must be reminded daily to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…  Just as today, we have to be reminded of the sacrifice of Christ.

Just as Joel warns that the day of the Lord is one in which the wicked among God’s people will be punished, the righteous will be delivered, and the enemies of God’s people will be punished…today’s preacher must continue to deliver the harsh message of destruction.

Modern preachers must not lay aside the truth of Habakkuk:  that it’s not the survival of the fittest but the suffering of the best.  The fact remains that sin being self-destructive is a condition of life.

In the manner of Zephaniah’s message, preachers today must help others understand that not only will sin be punished, but through the chastening, blessing will come to obedient believers in the person of the Messiah.

Just as Hosea taught by example about the one-sided love and faithfulness represented the relationship between Israel and Jehovah…the modern preacher must show the unworthiness of the human race and immeasurable grace of God.

Just as Amos preached of the righteousness and justice of God, a preacher in the 21st Century must tell the story of trust and obedience in the sovereign God.

Just as Haggai penned, the contagious nature of the sin of procrastination, today’s preacher must never downplay the urgency and uninterrupted nature of obedient faith.

Just as delivering God’s message was a difficult and deadly task for the prophets and apostles, preaching truth today is difficult because many in the world and in the church do not want to know what God wants them to do, and when you tell them the truth they get angry at the messenger.  There is a huge amount of time and effort involved in preparing and preaching, not to mention special speaking engagements, visiting the sick, shut-ins, those in the hospital, and prospects.

Don Deffenbaugh wrote, “It is no wonder that a preacher is criticized.  His struggle to balance his time between his work, his family, and his own welfare often results in an emphasis not appreciated by some members.  Preachers live in glass houses and must get used to that fact.  They will not please everyone, even as our Lord did not please everyone.”

I suppose we should appreciate a preacher a little more.  May the words of the prophet Isaiah ring loud and true. In Isaiah 9:2, a prophecy cited by Matthew in chapter 4 in reference to Jesus:  Isaiah wrote, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.”  What more profound mission could the church have than to be a light on a hill!

Last week, this retired teacher and current supervisor of student teachers became a principal for a local private school with almost 100 students from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th Grade.  I had seen some of them in the church setting in the past, and I know some of their parents.  I even chaperoned the high schoolers on a field trip to the Truman Library a few weeks ago but I was unfamiliar with all of the students in the school. 

The week began with a devotional led by the preacher of the local congregation, and afterward, I was up to introduce myself and give some announcements - one of which was to invite my wife who teaches at the school to announce a special activity for the week.

Most of my day was spent observing classrooms and hallways, and I got a pretty good feel for the school's climate. I monitored those things several times in the day.  Naturally, my least favorite times were the moments when students would come to the office, sent by teachers for a time-out or for correction.  My goals were not to give them a knee-jerk reaction, but to let them wait for me.  Once they were in my office, I calmly and quickly coached them through a better way to act or react and escorted them or sent them back to class.  I wanted them back in class as soon as possible.  Not unlike any other school, there is a handful of "frequent flyers" in the school, but I didn't want them to think they could just hang around in the office and be entertained.

Another least favorite hour every day was lunch duty, and may I say this?  Kids are gross.  I didn't have to do too many breakfast or lunch duties in my 32 years as a public school teacher, but I have done enough to realize that it could be the greatest weight loss plan.  Just watching kids eat and be kids can ruin the appetite.  If only they would just come into the cafeteria to actually eat a meal - and save the shenanigans and silliness for the playground - the day could be more pleasant.

It takes a special breed to be a principal, and I would never choose to be an administrator.  I know that if I were in charge, there would be some standards that I would establish and expect (actually demand) from my faculty and students that would change the climate of my school.  The last real taste of administration that I had was in 1995 when I was the lead teacher at Buchanan Elementary School in Oklahoma City.  That's when I handled the situation of a terrorist bomb killing 168 people less than five miles away.  More so, however, the real unpleasantness of the job came when dealing with parents upset at a teacher and coping with disciplinary issues from children in other classes.  It just wasn't the career path I wanted to take - even though it would have greatly increased my salary and benefited my retirement.  And yes, I realize, I wasn't doing everything a principal is required to do either in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or in Neosho, Missouri.

On the positive side of things, being the administrator means that I had more chances to converse with adults.  In OKC, my adult contact was Principal Blevins.  For this last week, I had some meaningful conversations with teachers.  In the Christian school setting, we were able to discuss the Scripture.  In fact, I sat in on some Bible classes for small times and participated in the instruction before heading back to the office to see who needed me next.  Hopefully, I will be invited back to train the teachers in Positive Discipline and Instruction and provide them with some Tolerance Training that can help with student issues.

Some Questions:

• What must it have been like to hear all of the angel voices and then suddenly be left alone in the field in absolute silence?
• What convinced the shepherds to go to Bethlehem?
• Why do they need to see the baby for themselves?
• If the angels told them, why do the shepherds now say the Lord is the One who told them the Good News?
• Are they in a rush?
• Did they even imagine there would be parents?  How would these parents have greeted and entertained the shepherds?  Would Joseph and Mary be apprehensive about receiving guests?  Protective?  What makes them open the door to these dirty men?

Let's Think:
Honestly, sometimes we just need to stop and envision the scene.  This is one of those times for me.  A whole host of angelic voices have just been ringing out across the meadow at these unsuspecting shepherds, and all of a sudden, the songs have ceased.  It's back to nature sounds.  Bugs.  Grass waving in the breeze.  The bleating of sheep.  Silence.  And above?  Only stars.  No brightly-clad angelic lights.  Just a dark, dark sky with a bajillion pinpricks of illumination along with a moon.  Full?  Waxing?  Waning?  I suppose we could look it up.

And there you stand - a shepherd among peers, together with flocks of sheep, with blank expressions.  Do you go about your business?  Do you react to the Message you've just received?  The News was so compelling that the men hurried to find the manger and all that surrounded it.

We don't know what that must have been like.  We're told that the "stable" we usually picture was actually a small cave.  By necessity, I think it must not have been open like the Nativity sets we often see in December.  I picture the scene with a door.  The area might have been cramped, considering the inn was full.  Many animals, pack animals as well as animals to ride, would have been stabled there and in the general vicinity.  Did the shepherds bring their sheep with them?

There are two parents there who must have been protective of the Newborn.  They've been told that this is the Son of God and that He will provide salvation for the world.  It seems they would be protective anyway, but with the added responsibility of keeping Jesus safe for the sake of the world.  Or, have they been told more - perhaps that Jesus will be protected and that they should not be afraid of visitors at this time?

How do the shepherds approach the scene?  Do they jump right in?  Shake hands with Joseph?  Tip their hats to the new mother?  Do they stare at the Baby?  Bow to Him?  Do they utter prayers under their breath?  Are they joyful?  Is there laughter and celebration?  It's impossible to know, but it's amazing to imagine.  What would you do?

This is one more example in this study that highlights the need for understanding language.  In tonight's lesson, we will notice more translations of original manuscripts - specifically into the modern language of their day - Greek.

So how important is it to you that the Bible can be proven true?  Do you believe there is irrefutable evidence to its validity?  Is proof something that strengthens your personal faith in the existence of God?

Should faith alone be enough to drive you to drive you to your knees?  Is "blind" faith a stronger kind of faith?  If so, then why did God provide so much evidence?

Chapter 13 in the text of the book, How We Got the Bible​, is the last chapter we have to cover (although we are due to have one more class session and a terrific field trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, before we call this unit complete).    The chapter continues a discussion of ancient versions of the Old Testament.  Author Neil Lightfoot begins with this line:

The language barrier is overcome through scholarly study and the accurate portrayal of the results.  If only George Washington had taken the time to have the Articles of Capitulation translated, he would have known more about what he was signing.  Then again, it's more than likely that he simply signed from pressure and fear.

Is it important to you that the Bible comes from reliable sources, or is it just a collection of wise sayings and advice for living?  Many atheists agree that there is wisdom in the teachings of Jesus Christ, but they do not believe that Jesus is a Messiah, that He performed miracles, that He walked out of His own grave, or that He prepares a place where His faithful disciples will be rewarded for eternity.

We contend that the Bible and everything it contains is supported by:

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