Posted: 3/14/08
Houston pulpiteer urges: Be a blessing
By Stephanie Orr
Texas Baptist Communications
HOUSTON—Be an avenue for God to work, not simply a pool of his blessings, pastors urged participants at the recent Baptist General Convention of Texas-sponsored African-American Leadership Workshop.
Louis Patterson, pastor of Mount Corinth Baptist Church in Houston, challenged the crowd to be a channel of blessing rather than simply a reservoir of praise.
| Louis Patterson |
Patterson, who has been recognized by Ebony Magazine as one of America’s greatest black preachers and inducted into the Morehouse School of Religion’s Hall of Preachers, described how the first generation of Israelites who were delivered from Egyptian bondage missed the blessings of the Promised Land. God allowed them to experience 40 years of pain, suffering and wandering in the wilderness in order to eliminate their pride, he said, comparing the Israelites’ attitude to modern Christians.
“We are proud, pious people—persistent to have our own way,” he said. God allows times of pain in order to break down pride and self-reliance, teaching Christians to rely fully on his provision and grace, Patterson stressed.
Patterson urged the audience to have a spirit like Caleb’s, in Numbers 13 and 14. While the Israelites were groaning and complaining, Caleb remained humble. He was a progressive thinker, positive in spirit and prompt in obedience, and God rewarded him by allowing him to see the land of inheritance, Patterson said.
Pastor James White of Abiding Faith Baptist Church in Baytown challenged conference participants to “know your purpose, your mission and your objective.” He pleaded for leaders to quit checking public opinion polls to see what others are saying about Christians. He reminded the crowd not to stage a production, preach a feel-good sermon or put on their “Sunday best,” in order to please others.
“It only matters what we think about ourselves and our purpose in Christ,” White said. People may try to bring Christians down because they do not understand their devotion to Christ, he warned.
“But don’t be afraid of people criticizing your God-given purpose,” he said.
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