A few days back I posted about an experience I had in preaching recently, and I though I’d post a follow-up today. If you don’t recall that first post, you can view it here.
As I type these words, I’m still not quite sure I want to do this, and I’m just as likely to delete as publish this… I’m struggling with it because I don’t want to give the wrong idea with what I’m about to say; none of this really has to do with me, please understand that. I’m really no different from you, I’m just your brother in Christ who is trying to serve Him as faithfully as I can… and I think I stumbled onto something that’s worth sharing. (Or not)
I reported last week that I filled in for an out-of-town preacher and taught 1 John 4:7-21 in a very simple way, no extra stories and structure to it; I just told them about the simple text, much like I try to do in posts here on the blog. As is usually the case, a bunch of people had nice things to say afterwards, most of which was of the “wow, I never saw that before” variety. Again, I usually get those comments when I preach; people are just being nice.
So, the following Sunday (March 30) I was very surprised to discover that many were still talking about it; there was a little buzz. Sunday evening, we were at the home of another couple for a small group study, and there was more talk about it. Our hostess maintained that in her whole life she had never heard that taught before on a Sunday morning. Our host thought that she surely had, but no, she maintained never before on Sunday morning. I kept my mouth shut. Another guy wanted the audio link so he could play it for his wife who doesn’t attend church, because he maintains that he’d never heard anything like it before…
Well, I know they’ve heard these verses preached on before; they probably even had to memorize some of them in Sunday School as kids; they are that common. “Perfect love drives out all fear?” Come on, these are not unusual verses, and preachers preach on them whenever they need a popularity boost!
Later that night, actually the next morning, I awakened from a dream. I can’t clearly recall the dream, but I do clearly recall the bells and whistles going off in my head.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 50:11)
When I preach or teach, I normally make an effort to make the Word the main ingredient, not my clever techniques or brilliant illustrations. I mentioned in my post last week about the old homiletic outlines that don’t work any more, and just clearly teaching the Word. For my entire lifetime, many, maybe most preachers have used these techniques in their preaching and teaching;” the 12 reasons why…” with illustrations for each “reason.” The dramatic opening, emotional stories, and the big close. I’ve often recommended to young preachers that they forget what they learned in school about preaching and simplify their sermons. Stop giving too much information, just teach the Word as it is written, don’t try to cram it into a theory, let the Word do the talking… etc. I’ve had good results doing that, when I remember to get out of my own way.
The first time I ever filled in at this church was February of last year; I got the same response after. I went back to Illinois and then visited that church again in April of last year, and people came up to me again to comment on my “amazing” sermon in February. They had never heard anything like it before. I had taught the Lord’s Prayer; surely they had heard sermons on it many times! I figured they were just being nice, but now I have come to realize what I’ve been doing. I de-cluttered the presentation just enough for the Word of God to get into those people. The Word of God did the rest… it surely wasn’t me!
Now, here comes the thing I awakened at 2 am realizing: Teaching the Word of God is not like teaching anything else. We go to Seminary, and they teach us the Word as an academic discipline, and they teach us how to present that discipline to others. With this approach, we may as well be teaching Greek Mythology for all the good that does! Witness the fact that for over 50 years “church” has been declining in our societies, bleeding members, losing ground in the culture, but our preachers have never been so well-educated. Why? because we have cluttered up our teaching with unnecessary facts and data, filled our presentations with techniques and put everything in front of our “audience” except the pure, simple Word. That’s the first point.
The second point is that the Word of God is not like other ‘information.’ The Word of God is a living thing… or should I say a living Person! It is powerful, active and penetrating; it doesn’t need my cleverness as a speaker to penetrate the hearts of men and women, it needs me to get out of His way! There is no way that I can test this on a week-by-week basis in preaching, and currently the only “teaching” I do is on this blog. Will this “work” every week?
I’m not sure, but if I’ve got this right, if I’ve correctly understood this, it can’t fail! Have I understood correctly?
Many of the followers of this blog are full-time ministers who preach each week. Would any of you like to try this and let us all know how it goes? Oh, what I would give for a chance to find out!
I’ll even post a link to the audio of my sermon. If you listen to it, you’ll hear that there wasn’t really anything smart or clever on my part; I hear lots of mistakes in presentation myself, not to mention being interrupted by a coughing fit… but the response speaks for itself; God used it anyway.
Life Project Blog 
I LOVE this, Don. Too often I sit in a service and the pastor uses smoke machines (along with the proverbial bells and whistles) to entice the “audience”. As if God’s Word in and of itself isn’t magical. As if we need a Box Office Blockbuster each Sunday. As if the pastor can, in his unfortunate humanness, supersede the marrow-piercing power of God’s Word. Thank you for appreciating God’s Word and for letting God do the work that only He can do.
Thanks for that, I appreciate it!
To be honest, I’ve opened with a video a few times, or a song or something like that. Those things are good tools sometimes and have their place certainly. But if they are followed by showmanship, at least in my experience, you may get people excited, they may really enjoy it, but by Tuesday they can’t remember what you taught about, just the show sticks. Having the show stick in their minds would be great if we were selling tickets and trying to make money, but that isn’t the mission of church service, is it? And, to be really fair, I’m not knocking anybody who uses that kind of thing; maybe they can make it really work, but I’m definitely not that good.
Hi Don
I do think you are on to something BIG. Not sure precisely what that is but it hold Merritt (pun).
As a kid growing in the up old school Catholic service, I heard “Just the Word” but it held no meaning and did not penetrate my thick head. So just the Word for me is only ½ the equation. There must be another part that makes it work. Maybe, just maybe it has to do with “Just the Word” in just a normal context (conversation). You do normal context well and meeting people in the isle brings the message to our level. THIS must be a missing part in the old days… from the Catholic pulpit downhill to the people (disconnection). Not a level playing field. I think that is what made Jesus Great. Face to face, Gods Word, level playing field.
Just my two cents
Steve
Hey Steve, I mean Bargo! Been a while since you weighed in… You may be right about that, the barriers and distance is more of an impediment than most people realize to communication. Something was different, anyway.
Wow!! Indeed the Word of God penetrates deep!
Thank you for sharing the inspiration of God. God bless you.
Thanks!
Once after reading quotes people posted on FB by Joyce Meyers and other ministers I had the same thought. As great as some of the things they were saying maybe who’s words have the power to change a life ours or Gods? Of course the answer is God’s and ours only if we our speaking HIs. God Bless!
Very true, thanks Denine
When you are led in by the spirit of God, you can’t go wrong, can you? VW
Nope!
Don, which date on the audio link is yours?
Oh! Sorry, I thought I’d liked past that! 3/23/14
Ok Don, I keep trying but they’re all 2013 except for one in Jan. What am I doing wrong?
Wow, I didn’t realize how tricky this one was, sorry! I got this to go direct just now:
http://www.springfieldchurchofchrist.org/Sermons/Sermons/Sermons_2014/1%20John%204.mp3
OK, now the original post should link correctly too!
AMEN AMEN AMEN
How many times is it appropriate to say AMEN ? 😀 One of the many men God used to teach me about Christ had a saying “KISS – keep it simple stoopid!” Works like a charm. Oh and I can’t stand still and talk, I gotta move.
Thank you for sharing
Thank you very much, i really appreciate you kind comments and the reblog!
Reblogged this on labhrashealy and commented:
I recently starte following this gentleman’s blog. This posting si really thought provoking, especially if you teach – preach God’s Word. My advice would be to read the 2 postings to get better understanding.
Thanks Don for writing these 2 posts.
This makes so much sense, Don. I’m not a preacher, but I do write to build His kingdom. I depend on the Spirit to lead me. I hesitate sometimes thinking that people have heard about the things I write, but you’re correct: His Word is living. It means something fresh and new each time we see it, read it, hear it. Thank you for the reminder to always put His Word before mine.
Thanks for the confirmation, Susan… I must admit that sometimes I wonder if I’m crazy, going against all of my training!
Great sermon, BTW. Just listened. (And funny quip about Jonathan Edwards. 😉 )
Oj Lord, I forgot about that one…
Blessings to you, Don…and to Christ’s love I know you will show to your son-in-law.
I’m not so sure about that, maybe one day…
I will add you to my prayer list, and pray that God’s great love, grace and mercy overwhelm your anger and resentment. He is a big God – all things are possible. ❤
They sure are! “Disappointment” is probably the right word, though, so sad…
That, too, my friend. That, too.
Love this! All we need is “the pure simple word.”
You can NEVER go wrong preaching the actual word(s) of God. Unfortunately, my experience has been that it is extremely difficult to find a church that simply preaches the word of God. Strange, because it seems rather arrogant to think that my words–or your words, or some-other-pastor’s words–would preach better than God’s words.
Well said, my friend. Keep fighting the good fight–but, maybe not at 2:00 in the morning. 😉
Thanks!
I’ll try to remember to be quiet at 2 am from now on!