Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 04, 2022: SOAP #4505:  Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

OBSERVATION: “By setting forth the truth plainly…”    How important it is that those who minister the Word, present it clearly.  Words must be used that are easy for the hearer to understand. 

 It should be clearly set forth in our lives as well as in our preaching.  The active truth should not be hard to identify.  It should be plain; it should be easily seen.  The leader’s life should be a good example of how to live.. 

A leader must maintain a clear testimony, especially for the lost who have a great tendency to point out the hypocrisy of Christian leaders who say one thing but do another. 

APPLICATION: “…we commend ourselves to everyman’s conscience…”    It should be easy for people to believe me.  I should live my life in a way that does not contradict what I say.  One message in my words and another message in my life causes confusion in those to whom I am ministering.  People should be getting the same message from my life as from my preaching.

NOTE:  This is especially true for parents!

The application is where the truth of the scripture interacts with my life.  In the application I discover why God put that truth in the Bible.  In the application I show God that His word is important to me.   It is not something to be ignored. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me faithfully apply the scriptures to my life.  May other be able to see that I live out the truth you have revealed to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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