Years ago Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former speaker of The Lutheran Hour, was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame, an honor well-deserved. As I walked with Dr. and Mrs. Hoffmann to the banquet hall, he asked me how the NRB convention was going.
“Fine,” I said, but added, “I’ve noticed something here.”
“Oh, what’s that?” he asked.
“They speak a lot about the Lord’s work but I haven’t heard them talk about the Lord.”
“Is that so?” he said and dropped the topic. So much for my opinion.
Later, the banquet meal over, Dr. Hoffmann stood up to accept his honor and he spoke about Jesus, not a word about the Lord’s work, only about Jesus. He had that vast audience doing aerobics, one minute standing and applauding what he said about Jesus, the next minute they were down, doubled over in laughter at his hearty jokes. It was a small glimpse of that time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
Next time you hear a sermon, keep in mind the distinction between the Lord’s work and the Lord. Doing the Lord’s work might help save someone else but doing that work won’t save you. Only Jesus does.
Diane and I will be taking next week off.
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