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Joseph Parker died more than a century ago (1902). I am sure that he gave that advice much earlier -- when he was in his prime -- as early as the Civil War years -- as far back as Abraham Lincoln's time. That was good advice a century ago. There were many broken hearts then. Many children died as babies or toddlers. Many women died in childbirth. Men died young. Even though today's world is so unlike Joseph Parker's world, his advice is strikingly fresh. Because people still die young, love is still lost, promises are still broken. "Preach to the suffering, and you will never lack a congregation. There is a broken heart in every pew." You know what I am talking about. People are grieving for a husband or wife. People are grieving over lost love. People are grieving that their lives didn't turn out better. "There are broken hearts in every pew."
Matthew tells us that Jesus "saw the crowds, (and) had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (9:36). So what did Jesus do for those hurting sheep -- those sheep without a shepherd? He appointed shepherds to take care of them. He commissioned twelve disciples, "gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness" (10:1).
It would be easy for us to discount any connection with those disciples, because they were apostles and we are just ordinary people. When God calls a person to discipleship, it isn't the person's talents that really count but God's power. God often empowers ordinary people. Most of the work of the church today is done by ordinary people -- people of ordinary ability -- people with clay feet -- people like you and me.
There are two things you should know. First, the pastor can't do it all, so each of you needs to be a shepherd. You move in circles where I am not welcome. You rub shoulders every day
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