- A reputation of godliness
- Has been used in a transforming ministry
- Has confidence in his gift and calling
This is the prayer written at the end of the sermon:
Father, again we are so reprimanded in our own hearts, we who serve, we who minister, that we fall short of the highest standard for the noblest work in the world. And we are then awed by Your grace that You would consider us faithful enough to put us into the ministry who are indeed the foremost of all sinners. We're not worthy to even be called Your servants. We're not worthy to even be called Your ministers. And yet to demonstrate Your grace and to show Your mercy, You have picked the worst of us to become Your agents, Your tools. You have made us those containers, those earthen vessels that hold the treasure, those perfumed bottles from which the aroma of life unto life and death unto death exudes. You've made us preachers, teachers to display Your grace toward sinners. And we give You glory and thanks. We know what a high calling it is, what a holy calling it is. We know that it calls for virtue that only You can give and transforming power that only You can give and confidence and courage and boldness that only You can give, and humility that only You can give, and truth, New Covenant truth that You have revealed. At best we are nothing but slaves and servants who when we've done all have only done what we ought to have done.
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