21. Give more than people expect to receive from you.
It is the extra ten percent that ultimately makes the big difference in life and ministry. In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in Matthew 5:41:
“And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.”
It is the second mile principle that will put a smile on our face, a spring in our step, and a song in our heart. The first mile is the trial mile, and the second mile is the smile mile. The key to living life with a smile is a Christ-centered life. It has been said,
“A person wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.”
If we are determined to give a little extra, or to polish the words a little more, then a compounding effect will happen in our lives. People know when they have heard a message that has been prayed over and well-prepared before they arrived at church. When we live this kind of prepared life, then we are ready when life’s greatest challenges come our way.
On September 11, 2001, the Trade Towers in New York City came crashing down, and our world changed forever. I was in Detroit, Michigan. I will never forget that afternoon for the remainder of my life. During that afternoon the late Dr. Bill Bright called a nationwide conference call with notable Christian leaders. There was a time of prayer followed by a time of discussion. After about an hour or so, Dr. Bright called upon me to prepare a sermon that evening that would give biblical understanding of the times and a challenge for the Church. I could not believe what I was hearing: a request to prepare a sermon to reflect the worst day in American history. Dr. Bright went on to say that he expected the sermon to be finished by morning and sent to all of the key Christian leaders for their review the following day.
Following the evening crusade service, I came back to my hotel and studied all night, preparing a sermon entitled, “What To Do When The Towers Crumble.” The next morning, I did send that message to all of the leaders who had been on the conference call, and many of them gave additional improvements. The following day the message, “What To Do When The Towers Crumble” was sent worldwide through various denominations and organizations.
When we prepare a little extra and go the extra mile, then when we are called upon in a crisis or do not have much time to prepare, then we can draw truth from the overflow of our lives. I challenge you as a fellow preacher of the gospel to prepare and preach your sermons for the greatest One in your audience, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He listens to our every word, and one day we will give an account as to how we have rightly divided the Word of God.
By: Dr. James O. Davis, Founder of Cutting Edge International and Second Billion Network
We hope you have enjoyed this series on communication laws from Dr. Davis. Next month we will begin looking at another series he has to share with you. Feel free to leave a comment and let us know about your own laws of communication and what is working for you!
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