Preaching About “That”
I’ve been going to church for nearly 40 years now. Okay, so I took some time off there in the late 80s and early 90s, but, given the fact that I grew up hearing two sermons every Sunday, I figure I must have heard at least 2,000 sermons in my life. Oh, and throw in the fact that, as a preacher and a consultant, I listen to other guys’ sermons for fun or for educational purposes, I could probably up that number to somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,500.
That’s a lot of sermons.
Because I listen to so much of what’s being preached out there, I can spot trends. I remember when it seemed like everyone was doing a series on the Sermon on the Mount. That was right before everyone did a series on the 10 Commandments and just before a lot of guys got in some hot water doing a series on sex (the one where they challenged married couples to do it more). First John seems to be going around a little now.
I’ve noticed over the past decade or so that Nehemiah has been a mainstay of churches transitioning from a more traditional model to a more contemporary model. That makes sense, I guess. “We’re building something here, and there will be some who try to stop us. But we’re not going to let them keep us from doing what we know God has called us to do. We’ll defend what we’re doing. We’ll plan well and execute diligently and celebrate when we’re done.”
But no one preaches much from Ezra anymore (if they ever did). Ezra was a contemporary of Nehemiah, but his message is a little different. Ezra is less concerned about building structure (walls) and more concerned with building priorities (true worship of the one God). It’s less tangible, more difficult to apply to today’s business-savvy person.
One other thing I’ve noticed is how much we preachers love to come from the second half of one of Paul’s letters. Paul had a pretty predictable structure to his letters. He began with theology, unpacking what God has done and has promised to do. Then, somewhere in his letters, you’ll read the word “therefore”, and Paul switches into practical mode. It’s an intentional shift for him because one follows the other. It is because of what God has done and has promised to do that we are then to do this and stop doing that.
But it takes too long to exegete the first part of Paul’s letter AND also exegete the second part, so we just skip to the back half of the letters — the really practical stuff.
Personally, I don’t like that. If we don’t give folks a “why”, they’ll never really be motivated to do the “what”.
None of this is what I want to talk about, though. I’m guessing you’ve heard more than a few sermons in your lifetime, too, and I’m wondering this:
What’s that one thing you’ve always wished a preacher would talk about but you’ve never heard? Is there anything you think a preacher can say over and over without it getting old? What are you tired of hearing?
February 9th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I was actually thinking about this the other day (wanting to hear sermons on a few things I’ve never heard anyone preach on), and am planning on emailing my pastor. I want to hear some preaching and teaching on some things discussed in the Bible, but never talked about today. Kind of a “that was then, this is now” type theme. Here’s a couple of examples: Jesus cast demons out of folks. How does that fit into 2010 – does the church acknowledge the presence of such things – and how can we tell. Also, Jesus and the apostles performed miracles. I know that some miracles exist today, but how can we tell what’s a miracle and what’s not.
February 10th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
My father in law goes to a different church but we meet up with him every Sunday for lunch. We talk about church and every week I ask, “So what was the sermon about this week?” His answer is always the same. “Bein’ better.”
February 10th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
OK this is a very interesting “topic” and poses an even more interesting question. I find it hard to pinpoint one area I would like to hear more taught on or about, in fact I believe this is where ministers get into trouble in what they are called by God ultimately to do from the “pulpit”.
Having been at church “every time the doors where open” since the age of 4 and having been involved in ministry in some way, shape or form from the age of 14 has allowed my heart and ears to hear A LOT of messages. I have a mother who follows certain prominent ministries and listens to whatever they are saying at the time and does what they tell her. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my mother, and love even more, her heart. She is however, a very common “listener” to the Word as spoken by some of these men/women. By common listener I mean, always agrees and never questions. I believe that “questioning” the delivered message is not disrespectful, but allows for open communication as to what this or that means to me. I feel strongly that it is important for each and every follower of Christ to find Him for themselves and ministers are obviously a strong influence in that journey. The problem though it seems is that too many ministers or ministries find one topic they feel really comfortable teaching on and get “stuck” in that topic for their entire ministries. Whether it be finances, end times, health, faith… the list goes on and on. I am not in anyway criticizing these type of teachings I just feel like a balance needs to be struck in the kingdom of God here on earth. Paul was really good at this, diversifying his message. I am not sure this answered your question but it certainly sparked a ton of thoughts off in my head. Thanks for allowing me to ramble.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve said about how Paul is typically preached. It’s just that the practical stuff in Part 2 of his letters is so relatively easy, so seemingly obvious. Preaching Part 1 would require more work. Many preachers, for whatever reasons, just don’t seem up for that. “Today’s sermon text is Romans Twelve, verses one and two.”
Want to hear? A series on “Body Metaphors in the Song of Songs.” Okay, maybe not. No specific requests. I just know that we’ve been fed well when the sermon (a) is rooted in deep study of the Word (b) seems at least aware of the ethos of the day and (c) is creative in approach and presentation. To do all of that is very hard for me and most other preachers. I try not to envy the people who regularly do something like that.
Tired of? Mothers’ Day: You ladies are great! We love you. Fathers’ Day: You guys are a bunch of Homers. Get with it! (Please tell me this is changing).
February 11th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
The under 40 crowd doesn’t seem to have a hard time understanding that women not only can do anything, but we are called just as men are. That God is neither male nor female. That masculine and femine traits were formed by God to magnify God. Just wish we could put to rest the value system placed on men and women that we insist on, but God doesn’t.
February 11th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
“That” for me would be, our Bridegroom coming for His Bride. The intimate relationship with Christ. One that used to make me squirm with quesy unease when mentioned from a church I went to a few years back. A true bride, deeply loved, wooed to HIM. Not much for gooey love, it’s one I most likely need to hear more often, but don’t.
Ps. This is my first time to leave a comment. I usually hanging with the girls (bloggers). But because you came to Sulphur Springs, I stopped in here.
February 13th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
What’s that one thing you’ve always wished a preacher would talk about but you’ve never heard?
The Holy Spirit.
Is there anything you think a preacher can say over and over without it getting old?
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
What are you tired of hearing?
“Quit sinning.” (As if any of us could do this by ourselves.)