Preaching Without Preaching

You don't have to be a preacher to preach the word of God.  We have been told that many times.  There are sayings like 'you may be the only Bible some people read' and 'the lost world is watching you'.  They are meant to remind us that we need to live our beliefs on a daily basis. 

Yesterday I had the privilege of witnessing the word of God brought in a different format and the result.  My home church had scheduled a quartet to sing in the morning service.  The service began with the congregation singing and then the regular offering.  The pastor introduced the quartet and handed the service over to them. 

Sitting at the opposite end of the pew where I sat was Brittany, a teenager who regular attends the church and Taylor, a young man I had never seen before.  The quartet sang beautifully and it was obvious the congregation enjoyed the service.  At the end of the service one member of the quartet stepped forward, presented the plan of salvation and began and invitation.  Taylor stepped out into the aisle and walked forward.  The pastor prayed with him and Taylor gave his life to Christ.

Now before you think that's wonderful, but what is so special about it?, listen to the rest of the story.  I told you I had never seen Taylor before.  It was the first time he had visited our church.  This morning Brittany is visiting in my home.  I asked if Taylor was her boyfriend.  She replied, "Yes, ma'am.  That was the first time he had ever been to church."  No only was this the first time Taylor had visited our church, but the first time he had visited any church.  There was no fire and brimstone sermon to convict him.  There was no world renown preacher for Taylor to remember.  There was just one young lady who insisted that her boyfriend attend church with her and the sweet music praising God.  These two things combined to show a young man that he was lost and needed Christ in his heart.  That's preaching without preaching.