Preaching has been coming into question over the past decade (more or less) with arguments like the shorter attention spans of the hearers, the inauthenticity of pretentious pastors, its inability to actually change lives, and various and sundry other arguments.
Proponents of preaching, cite biblical references, historical precedent, and start screaming louder and louder to drown out opposition. Yet they fail to seriously take into consideration the charges brought against them. (I am talking here of people I have heard defending preaching, such as John MacArthur and his cronies, and even Mark Driscoll).
I am a little tougher sell, though. I have blogged before about the danger of overusing the lecture format in church, and how it can be abused. This time, I want to try to sell preaching, but with different philosophical foundations behind its use and function.
First and foremost, let's face it, the gospel must presented orally at some point. Actions, pictures, songs, and attitudes are the backup singers: insufficient on their own, but when paired with the melody line, it creates a fuller, more beautiful experience and expression of the original idea.
The main problem I see to preaching is how to communicate truth to a society that is completely overrun with iconoclasm, sarcasm, cynicism, and skepticism, much like a medieval city overrun by rats and lice. How can one break through the wall of skepticism without demolishing the building?
I have a few solutions that are both difficult to describe and master, but must, I believe, be present.
To begin, as I learned in preaching class, the purpose of a sermon is NEVER knowledge. The purpose of every sermon is to connect people to the God of the universe, to lead them to the bridge between time and eternity, the God-man, Jesus. Confronted with the presence of God, people will then see who they are and be drawn to repent and motivated to do good and spurn evil.
This kind of preaching can only be achieved through prayer, because it is the power of the Holy Spirit, working in the hearts and minds and lives of the hearers. So preachers must pray, pray, pray.
Next, as a result of enlightenment philosophies of the past several hundred years, preaching has been replaced with cold, lifeless, abstract propositions, and has seen fit to leave behind the active, living, concrete metaphors and vivid word pictures. When you actually examine scripture, it is almost entirely made up of metaphor, story, song, and parable. Very little of the Bible is abstract or purely propositional in nature.
Certainly, propositions are made/implied by these vehicles of communication, but what service is done by taking the concrete and making it abstract and theoretical?
So we are to let the Bible speak on its own terms, and use parables and metaphor and figures of speech to engage the imagination of the hearer. And finally, we MUST know our audiences and take their objections seriously. We must listen to the questions they are asking, the concerns that they are raising, and reply humbly and sincerely.
The last point is my biggest disappointment in most preaching. The message has nothing to do with me, because none of my questions are raised and dealt with. Naturally, the preacher cannot deal with every objection possible, but the objections must be contemporary and should be real, not just the whim and imagination of what the preacher thinks an objector might sound.
Paul is the best example of raising objections to his own points. Books like Romans and Corinthians are brilliant examples of answering logical objections with real solutions. In writing, it's known as the "hypothetical interlocutor," but who cares! Put the people's real questions in your mouth. And preach Jesus.
I'll deal more with propositions in my next blog. This topic just ran away with me! Hooah!
Showing posts with label preaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preaching. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Monday, June 30, 2008
Life in the Desert
This past Sunday I preached a sermon at Set Free about "Life in the Desert," essentially explaining how to cope with times of difficulty and spiritual frustration and the feeling that God is very distant. If you've read my past few blogs, I'm sure you can see how appropriate that is for my season of life.
So for those of you who feel like you're wandering around in circles, getting nowhere, and "chasing the wind," I'll give you the abbreviated version of my sermon (which clocked in at a cool 25 minutes!)
First, times in the desert are a necessity. Every person has gone, or will go, through these times. All the big shots in the Bible went through it: Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, and even some littler shots like Philip the evangelist. There are many different reasons people have to go through the desert: tempting, testing, punishment, a personal God-encounter, escape, training, and to minister to other desert dwellers. The key is to endure the time, while not doing anything to keep you there longer.
Second, in the desert, regardless of why you are there, you will face temptation. Either the temptation to "go back to Egypt," or the temptation to stay and do things like God's not watching. Our reactions to these can either be like the Israelites in the desert, who grumbled, complained, and rebelled. Or you can react like Jesus, who stood up and faced his temptation by quoting some basic commands of scripture to his adversary.
Third, it is important to keep the focus on God's provision during desert times, because this is where the biggest miracles happen. Yet these big miracles are often not a daily occurrance; it is, rather, the one-day-at-a-time provision direct from the hand of God. When you start to focus on what you don't have, you are on your way to failure. The keys are to keep praying for everything you need, regardless of what it is, and to be thankful for what you get.
Finally, the result of the successful navigation of the desert times is abundant blessing--the promised land! Unfortunately, these blessings can take many forms, which may make them hard to recognize. Ultimately, our entire life on earth could probably be classified as a desert existence, meeting with various oases between the drier times. So any blessings we get down here are only a transitory foreshadowing of the glorious riches that God has in store for us through the provision of Jesus Christ.
So there you have it. And if you're currently in the desert, I find that ice cream really helps take the edge off!
So for those of you who feel like you're wandering around in circles, getting nowhere, and "chasing the wind," I'll give you the abbreviated version of my sermon (which clocked in at a cool 25 minutes!)
First, times in the desert are a necessity. Every person has gone, or will go, through these times. All the big shots in the Bible went through it: Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, and even some littler shots like Philip the evangelist. There are many different reasons people have to go through the desert: tempting, testing, punishment, a personal God-encounter, escape, training, and to minister to other desert dwellers. The key is to endure the time, while not doing anything to keep you there longer.
Second, in the desert, regardless of why you are there, you will face temptation. Either the temptation to "go back to Egypt," or the temptation to stay and do things like God's not watching. Our reactions to these can either be like the Israelites in the desert, who grumbled, complained, and rebelled. Or you can react like Jesus, who stood up and faced his temptation by quoting some basic commands of scripture to his adversary.
Third, it is important to keep the focus on God's provision during desert times, because this is where the biggest miracles happen. Yet these big miracles are often not a daily occurrance; it is, rather, the one-day-at-a-time provision direct from the hand of God. When you start to focus on what you don't have, you are on your way to failure. The keys are to keep praying for everything you need, regardless of what it is, and to be thankful for what you get.
Finally, the result of the successful navigation of the desert times is abundant blessing--the promised land! Unfortunately, these blessings can take many forms, which may make them hard to recognize. Ultimately, our entire life on earth could probably be classified as a desert existence, meeting with various oases between the drier times. So any blessings we get down here are only a transitory foreshadowing of the glorious riches that God has in store for us through the provision of Jesus Christ.
So there you have it. And if you're currently in the desert, I find that ice cream really helps take the edge off!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Sit Down and Shut Up!!
I have really been thinking hard (aka wasting time) about coming up with a new purpose of the church. Basically, what I have seen is that churches want everyone but the pastor and song leader to just listen to them.
This is partially why I do so much music stuff in churches: A) I can't sit down or sit still long enough and B) I hate the music in most churches (but I already blogged about that!).
However people try to baptize it, church is basically just for the entertainment of the members. Sure, you sing along some times, but don't people even do that at music theaters and some movies?? Then, of course, there's the issue of taking the Lord's Supper out of all but four services a year. What's the point of even going to church? I don't do anything, there are better preachers and music on the radio, and the people are usually doing their own thing and cannot bring themselves to say anything more than "howya doin?" when they see you.
Both on paper and in practice, church needs to be a place where everybody does something, or has the opportunity to contribute something to the overall experience. This is one of the reasons that I am so enamoured with the house churches. I am still working on how to translate this into a larger setting. If it does translate into a larger setting, it may mean putting a heavier emphasis on small groups than on the "worship" service, which I am leaning toward calling a teaching service, because worship is more than an hour on Sunday: if worship is only for one hour a week, then it isn't worship!
What gets accomplished at church? If the church is just spinning wheels, no wonder so many people don't want to go!
Every member has something to offer, yet most do not have any idea what they can do for Jesus or for each other. And that's a problem. It might even be THE problem.
I'm Andrew Riley,
Good night, and good luck.
This is partially why I do so much music stuff in churches: A) I can't sit down or sit still long enough and B) I hate the music in most churches (but I already blogged about that!).
However people try to baptize it, church is basically just for the entertainment of the members. Sure, you sing along some times, but don't people even do that at music theaters and some movies?? Then, of course, there's the issue of taking the Lord's Supper out of all but four services a year. What's the point of even going to church? I don't do anything, there are better preachers and music on the radio, and the people are usually doing their own thing and cannot bring themselves to say anything more than "howya doin?" when they see you.
Both on paper and in practice, church needs to be a place where everybody does something, or has the opportunity to contribute something to the overall experience. This is one of the reasons that I am so enamoured with the house churches. I am still working on how to translate this into a larger setting. If it does translate into a larger setting, it may mean putting a heavier emphasis on small groups than on the "worship" service, which I am leaning toward calling a teaching service, because worship is more than an hour on Sunday: if worship is only for one hour a week, then it isn't worship!
What gets accomplished at church? If the church is just spinning wheels, no wonder so many people don't want to go!
Every member has something to offer, yet most do not have any idea what they can do for Jesus or for each other. And that's a problem. It might even be THE problem.
I'm Andrew Riley,
Good night, and good luck.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
So What's the Remedy?
In quick response to my last posts, I want to propose a solution to the "problems." My main problem is that the older forms of churches are out of touch with culture, but not in the good way. While being irrelevant to the sinful elements of culture is absolutely what the church is called to do, we are not commanded to just be relevant to older cultures. Missionaries have learned this and work with their people to produce biblically-faithful AND culturally relevant Christianity.
As far as music, I love a lot of hymns, but the music is awful!! I love how many musicians are putting old words to new music. Whenever I hear an old style hymn next to a modern song, it just clashes so horribly, like plaid and polka dot! You can keep the words, just modify the tune and chord structure. It may be fine for Martin Luther, but it makes me cringe.
As to culture, there are many innocent cultural forms, such as music, clothes (as long as they cover up all the naughty parts), hairstyles, architecture, furniture, technology, language, and so many other things! However, the church must always take a strong stand against things that are universally sinful, such as extramarital sex, homosexuality, lying, stealing, drunkenness, rage, hatred, oppression, greed, violence against women, rape, murder, abortion, child abuse, racism, injustice, idolatry, and I'm sure there are others that I forgot to mention.
Let me say about language that the church needs to ensure that she is understood. People need to know what they accept/reject. When was the last time you heard someone use the words exalt, holy, sanctification, repentance, propitiation, or blasphemy in regular speech outside the church? Yet all these words were very secular first century words that everybody knew and used. What if instead we said, honor, pure, purification, turning away, satisfaction, or slander?
Finally, does anyone really like to be lectured? Traditional churches often want you to attend around five church lectures per week. Give me a break! All churches need to put up or shut up! Quit talking about it and do it! People learn better by doing anyway! Jesus always balanced his teaching approach between listening and doing. Gee, maybe we should do that too.
OK, I'm done with my little rants. Hopefully I've hit some nerves and people will send me some nasty hate mail. It's OK, I can take it.
As far as music, I love a lot of hymns, but the music is awful!! I love how many musicians are putting old words to new music. Whenever I hear an old style hymn next to a modern song, it just clashes so horribly, like plaid and polka dot! You can keep the words, just modify the tune and chord structure. It may be fine for Martin Luther, but it makes me cringe.
As to culture, there are many innocent cultural forms, such as music, clothes (as long as they cover up all the naughty parts), hairstyles, architecture, furniture, technology, language, and so many other things! However, the church must always take a strong stand against things that are universally sinful, such as extramarital sex, homosexuality, lying, stealing, drunkenness, rage, hatred, oppression, greed, violence against women, rape, murder, abortion, child abuse, racism, injustice, idolatry, and I'm sure there are others that I forgot to mention.
Let me say about language that the church needs to ensure that she is understood. People need to know what they accept/reject. When was the last time you heard someone use the words exalt, holy, sanctification, repentance, propitiation, or blasphemy in regular speech outside the church? Yet all these words were very secular first century words that everybody knew and used. What if instead we said, honor, pure, purification, turning away, satisfaction, or slander?
Finally, does anyone really like to be lectured? Traditional churches often want you to attend around five church lectures per week. Give me a break! All churches need to put up or shut up! Quit talking about it and do it! People learn better by doing anyway! Jesus always balanced his teaching approach between listening and doing. Gee, maybe we should do that too.
OK, I'm done with my little rants. Hopefully I've hit some nerves and people will send me some nasty hate mail. It's OK, I can take it.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A Double Dose of Sermons
Well, I just finished paper number one this semester, and I'm off to my next project(s). Next Sunday I am preaching at North Point (where I'm helping out with music), and I am really looking forward to it. I'm preaching on Acts 13:47-48, and it's a very special passage to me. As I see it, this wraps up the mission of the church in a nice, neat little package.
Basically, if I get the opportunity to plant a church, it would be based on this passage, and I would most likely preach from it the first week. So I'm looking at this Sunday as a rough draft to the future.
But not only that, it will be a great opportunity to challenge the church I'm at to think about their goals, and give them some concrete ideas for outreach and growth.
In addition, I have a sermon due for preaching class three days later, which I am (perhaps foolishly) taking from a completely different passage. That one will be from Psalm 37 on dealing with enemies.
If you read this, pray for me. I'm going to try to use my preaching opportunity to invite some people from work who aren't exactly the "churchy" type. Should be exciting.
Basically, if I get the opportunity to plant a church, it would be based on this passage, and I would most likely preach from it the first week. So I'm looking at this Sunday as a rough draft to the future.
But not only that, it will be a great opportunity to challenge the church I'm at to think about their goals, and give them some concrete ideas for outreach and growth.
In addition, I have a sermon due for preaching class three days later, which I am (perhaps foolishly) taking from a completely different passage. That one will be from Psalm 37 on dealing with enemies.
If you read this, pray for me. I'm going to try to use my preaching opportunity to invite some people from work who aren't exactly the "churchy" type. Should be exciting.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Preaching to the Pastor
I'm taking Advanced Preaching this semester, and I'm finding more to love and more to hate about preparing sermons. One of the biggest things I love is doing the background work, and digging up new information, making new connections across Scripture, and seeing how God worked in the Bible and the possibilities of how He can still work today.
Then comes the application. Not that I hate discovering how God's truth back then still works out for us today, but I hate what that invariably means for me: change.
Here's the dealio: I'm working on a sermon for class, and it's from Exodus 34, where Moses prays to God after God promised to restore His covenant when Israel had broken it. What I'm struck with, though, is how different this little prayer is from my own prayer life. Basically, I suck at praying, and that's unacceptable.
Sure, I like praying to God. I'm just undisciplined and spend most of the time trying to figure out what to pray. I also think that people unwittingly do others a disservice when they describe prayer as "just talking to God." That may be less intimidating to the neophytes, but we should really work harder at training prayer warriors. In my experience, I've found very few people who can do more than thank God for the day, and for being who He is.
Here's my point. It's time for me and thee to really start looking to pray like the men and women of God in the Bible. Instead of just thanking God for who He is, let's find out exactly who He is in the Bible and in our current lives and thank and praise Him for specific things, ask Him for things like "going in our midst," and even (gasp!) confessing specific instances of our sinfulness, and repenting of it.
Yikes! Who knows what may happen after all this? It boggles the mind.
Then comes the application. Not that I hate discovering how God's truth back then still works out for us today, but I hate what that invariably means for me: change.
Here's the dealio: I'm working on a sermon for class, and it's from Exodus 34, where Moses prays to God after God promised to restore His covenant when Israel had broken it. What I'm struck with, though, is how different this little prayer is from my own prayer life. Basically, I suck at praying, and that's unacceptable.
Sure, I like praying to God. I'm just undisciplined and spend most of the time trying to figure out what to pray. I also think that people unwittingly do others a disservice when they describe prayer as "just talking to God." That may be less intimidating to the neophytes, but we should really work harder at training prayer warriors. In my experience, I've found very few people who can do more than thank God for the day, and for being who He is.
Here's my point. It's time for me and thee to really start looking to pray like the men and women of God in the Bible. Instead of just thanking God for who He is, let's find out exactly who He is in the Bible and in our current lives and thank and praise Him for specific things, ask Him for things like "going in our midst," and even (gasp!) confessing specific instances of our sinfulness, and repenting of it.
Yikes! Who knows what may happen after all this? It boggles the mind.
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