Trained To Preach
This week in our sermon series in Mark, we continue our study of Jesus’ selection of His apostles. These were the men who were the charter members of His church and charged with laying the foundation of church doctrine. Paul refers to this in Ephesians 2 by saying the apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church. Jesus is the chief cornerstone upon which the building is fitly framed, and it was in the development of Christ’s teachings that the apostles built this framework.
Teaching others to do His work was the reason for the three-year ministry of Christ. Without this, Jesus might well have shortened His stay to a few months and then hastened to the cross. This would make sense if He intended the Kingdom on earth would come quickly after He arose from the dead. The earthly Kingdom did not come quickly. Rather, we have this long interval of the church age in which we wait for Christ to return. During this time, Christ’s work continues by others. Primarily, these others are the preachers of the gospel, and in particular, the pastors of the Lord’s New Testament churches. Though we all should be involved in church ministry, it is peculiarly the pastor’s job to perfect the saints and strengthen the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11).
I have often wondered how a sermon from the apostles would sound. Today we have preaching schools that develop preaching skills (homiletics) as well as in-depth instruction in the scriptures. The apostles did not attend preaching school. The only school they had was three years of Jesus’ teachings and example. And yet, none of us would say their Bible education was inferior. However, preaching skill is more than knowing the word. We must communicate the word. Paul claimed others complained he was not much of a communicator. Others were not much impressed with his technique. His preaching was efficacious because he depended on the Holy Spirit to make the word effectual to the hearer. This is the most deficient feature of today’s preaching. We are concerned with style and certain engaging factors that are no part of Jesus’ processes. Minus the Holy Spirit, our sermons are corporate TED talks that have no power to move the hearer beyond emotional responses.
None of this is to say technique does not matter. Paul skillfully managed the word with logic. While preparing my sermon a few weeks ago, I read an article which gave unconventional preaching advice. I will not run you through thirteen points made, but rather mention two that are good for our congregation. The first is to preach as if there are non-Christians present when there are none. We find ourselves there too often. Despite this, it is good for me to preach as if you know less than you do. You may track with me on every point but what good is it for me to preach if I believe you could preach back to me the same information? Many Sundays I might as well not come. Remember the importance of repetition as you read the gospels. Why three synoptic gospels and why New Testament epistles that mirror each other? It is good to hear what we know to reinforce it in our souls.
The second piece of advice is that points are a good thing. It is popular today to preach without them (pointless sermons?). Several months ago, one of our members that moved away returned for a service. The gist of her comment was the enjoyment of hearing a sermon and following logically point by point until reaching the right conclusion of its beginning premise. Yes, someone really does like filling out blanks.
I said two pieces of unconventional advice, but I believe a third is in order. This one you will accept without hesitation. CUT 10% OF THE WORDS FROM THE SERMON! I do not think so. Bad idea. Not me.
Pastor V. Mark Smith