Describing his first attempt at a sermon, where he was determined to be “God’s lawyer”, and argue the case for God effectively, but completely stalled out in the moment:
I do not know how long I stood there rubbing my hands, hoping that something would come back. It seemed like forever. Finally I blurted out, “Friends, I am very sorry, but I have forgotten my sermon!”
I started down the steps leading from the pulpit in shame and confusion. This was the beginning of my ministry, I thought – a total failure. As I was about to elave the pilpit a Voice seemed to say to me, “Haven’t I done anything for you?”
“Yes,” I replied, “You have done everything for me.”
“Well,” said the Voice, “couldn’t you tell them that?”
…
The Lord let me down with a terrible thump, but I got the lesson never to be forgotten: In my ministry I was to be, not God’s lawyer, but his witness.
We cannot merely talk about Christ – we must bring him. He must be a living vital reality, closer than breathing and nearer than hands and feet. We must be “God-bearers”.
“The Christ of Experience” by E. Stanley Jones. Read in “Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter“.