What I Learned At PTP

I want to thank the elders specifically for helping my family to be able to attend this event — a highlight of the year for sure! (I think the Fraziers would tell you the same as they got to go for the first time — and I asked them if they would plan on going back?)

What is Polishing the Pulpit you ask?

Essentially, what started as a preacher’s workshop where a handful of preachers would get together and swap sermon ideas has turned into that and a whole lot more! (Preachers’ wives’ classes, elders classes, deacons, youth workers, teenagers, kids’ classes, etc.)

5,153 Christians came together this year in the Smoky Mountains of Sevierville, TN to hear great preaching & fellowship together in a “bubble” to escape from the world for a week or so! (I believe the 2nd largest crowd PTP has ever had).

And I HAVE to say that my family and I have walked away from it extremely encouraged! :)

PTP - Their slogan is “Renew, Refresh, Recharge,” and that we did!

This morning I want to share with you 3 things that I took away from PTP 2022.

A Renewed Sense of Optimism

It is no secret that this ole sinful world in which you and I live can wear on us all as Christians!

Things going on in the news, things going on at work or school, things going on in the media, things going on even at home can wear on us!

That’s why it’s important to have an escape!

And typically that escape is found in our weekly gathering together on Sunday’s as prescribed by God’s infinite wisdom when He says, “Christians, you need to gather together on the first day of the week!”

And of course, we do that twice on the first day of the week, and we gather together on Wednesdays as well, and some gather on Monday nights, or at various times on the weekends, etc.

Christians NEED to spend time together in fellowship and praise to God!

It takes our focus off of the problems of this world, it takes our focus off our selfish, sinful desires, and it places our focus where it should be — on Jesus Christ (Heb. 12:1-2)!

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

PTP helped renew my focus on Jesus Christ as it should be!

But that’s not all that PTP renewed!

PTP also renewed my optimism in the world!

We look at the situation in our nation and the world and maybe the word “bleak” comes to mind.

Maybe the word “frustrating!” Maybe the word “maddening” or “sickening!”

I get it! Because we see the world becoming and looking like Romans chapter 1:18 and following more and more each day!

But … In spite of all of that, I can still come away from it and all with this in mind:

And that is that it’s all going to be okay in the end!

It’s all going to be okay for those of us who are faithful Christians on the day of Judgment! :)

And that thought alone gives all the reason in the world to be optimistic about the future! :)

I just got back from a “bubble,” an “island,” a RESPITE from the sinful world around us, and it was amazing!

Not having to worry about hearing curse words every other sentence, or dealing with lies and thievery, or seeing immodesty everywhere you turn!

Didn’t have all of those things at PTP.

Yet, someone says — “Welcome back to the real world.” (no longer in a convention center filled with Christians and closed off from the sinfulness of the world)

And that’s true, but heres where the optimism comes in:

I’m going to a place where there WILL be no more sin, period!

I’m going to a place where it WILL be closed off completely from the sinful people of the world!

And I’m going to a place where I can forever be with my Lord!

(Of course we’re talking about HEAVEN!)

“Well, that’s reason to be optimistic about our ULTIMATE future, but what about our IMMEDIATE future, preacher?"

You know, I’m glad you asked!

Will we as Christians have to deal with some stuff from the world in this life? (Absolutely! — Eph. 6 comes to mind!)

But you know what else comes to mind?

Psa. 37:25 - “I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.”

Psalm 37:25 NKJV

I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

Refreshed by the Beauty of God’s Creation

Just a brief point here, but I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation some while we where there in the Smoky Mountains this past week!

Let me show you a few pictures that we took while we were out hiking and exploring (show pictures and briefly comment).

We certainly had a moment of “refreshment” as a family as we went out into the fresh air (cooler weather, too, by the way - highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 50s!) and saw everything God created to His glory and our enjoyment!

I’m always reminded when I go out in nature of verses like Psa. 19:1.

Psalm 19:1 NKJV

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.

Psa. 50:1-2.

Psalm 50:1–2 NKJV

The Mighty One, God the Lord, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.

Rom. 1:20.

Romans 1:20 NKJV

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

Recharged & Ready to Work

It can be a challenge in any profession to keep the zeal, “to keep the fire burning,” so to speak.

And quite frankly, sometimes the fire “burns out.”

This is true of any profession, and especially often can be the case in ministry! (emotional roller coaster of highs and lows, and Sunday comes every week!)

That said, you want to talk about “recharging the batteries” — PTP is the place to go! (not just for a preacher, but for ANY Christian!)

The SINGING alone (with thousands of Christians in one room) was amazing!

Let me tell you about some of the lessons I got to hear:

I went to lessons on preaching (of course), I went to elders classes, I went to youth classes, college age classes, evangelism classes, a class on homosexuality, a class on marriage and divorce — the whole nine yards!

While there, we recorded a lot of podcasts for Scattered Abroad, and I got to sit down and record a podcast with Aaron Gallagher from Gospel Broadcasting Network.

Just a spiritual FEAST all the way around!

What better way to recharge one’s ZEAL FOR THE LORD than to IMMERSE oneself in the WORD of the Lord!

Thus, I think of passages like …

Psa. 119:7.

Psalm 119:7 NKJV

I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

Psa. 119:9.

Psalm 119:9 NKJV

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Psa. 119:13-14.

Psalm 119:13–14 NKJV

With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

Psa. 119:15.

Psalm 119:15 NKJV

I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.

Psa. 119:18.

Psalm 119:18 NKJV

Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

Psa. 119:25.

Psalm 119:25 NKJV

My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

Psa. 119:28.

Psalm 119:28 NKJV

My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.

Psa. 119:37.

Psalm 119:37 NKJV

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.

Psa. 119:40.

Psalm 119:40 NKJV

Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.

You can keep reading in Psalm 119 for more encouragement, and to add more zeal! (But these are 10 that spoke to me!)

But I’ll tell you this — my zeal for the Lord has been increased!

Conclusion:

No, this has not been a paid advertisement for PTP this morning!

But I hope it has been an ENCOURAGEMENT to you like PTP has been an encouragement to me and my family!

And maybe, just maybe, I’ve convinced you to look into going yourself next year! (I would certainly encourage you to do so!)

But whatever the case may be, you may find yourself a discouraged Christian this morning.

I hope that through this sermon at least, you’ve been renewed a little bit, refreshed a little, and recharged as a Christian, ready to go and work for the Lord!

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