Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Radically Real Preaching
I'll admit it, since I am trying to be real, I am an email afficianado, to put it mildly. I am the member of several ministry elists. In one particular list, there has been a strand called "Baby Food." I've been reading this strand with a lot of interest. No, it has nothing to do with Gerber. It has to do with what we as pastors feed our people. Are we feeding them spiritual milk or meat. It got me to thinking, what is Radically Real preaching?
My first thought is that one of the primary jobs of the church is to fulfill the Great Commission, to go into the world and make disciples. This was a command of Jesus, and I take it very seriously. So, on any given Sunday, if we are "going into the world" we could (and should) have unbelievers in our seats. It is for this reason that I believe we must keep it "Christianese" free and "plain spoken," no ten dollar words. When I prepare a sermon, I look it over to see if there are terms I need to explain or simplify. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost and if my message sails over their heads, I am not helping.
On the other hand, as I study, I look for the details, I look for the history, I look for the things that bring the story to life and make it real to the people. I try to help them to understand the context. I try to help them to realize that these are real people that we are reading about. Flesh and blood people who didn't walk three inches above the ground. I want to be totally true to the word, but help even the oldest, strongest Christian to see the passage with fresh eyes, to really think about what they are reading. I look at things like, can I give a parable or a modern day equivalent that will help them understand (but only if it is totally true to the scripture). Does it relate to a current event or situation? Relevance is key. The Bible is the Word of God. It has managed to stay relevant for thousands of years precisely because it is the Word of God. As we take that Word to a hurting world, shouldn't it be key to show people that relevance?
Not only do I have to show that the people in the Bible were real people, but I have to show them that the person presenting the message is a real person. Someone once said that we are the only Jesus some people will ever see. They don't need to be looking at some "holier than thou" phony. They need to see a real person, who is only different because of the power of God, and then they need to see that that power is available to them as well.
Lastly, the real meat, I believe comes in the application and the challenge to live out the principle in the message. If at all possible, I try to give them something to do about what they heard in the week to come.
Most importantly, the best messages come after massive amounts of time on my face before the Lord asking Him what message He wants the people to hear. Does this mean there will be some baby food for the older ones? Sometimes, if the Lord wills it, but if they follow through to the end, they will find that even the simplest truths come with a real challenge to be lived out.
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I'll admit it, since I am trying to be real, I am an email afficianado, to put it mildly. I am the member of several ministry elists. In one particular list, there has been a strand called "Baby Food." I've been reading this strand with a lot of interest. No, it has nothing to do with Gerber. It has to do with what we as pastors feed our people. Are we feeding them spiritual milk or meat. It got me to thinking, what is Radically Real preaching?
My first thought is that one of the primary jobs of the church is to fulfill the Great Commission, to go into the world and make disciples. This was a command of Jesus, and I take it very seriously. So, on any given Sunday, if we are "going into the world" we could (and should) have unbelievers in our seats. It is for this reason that I believe we must keep it "Christianese" free and "plain spoken," no ten dollar words. When I prepare a sermon, I look it over to see if there are terms I need to explain or simplify. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost and if my message sails over their heads, I am not helping.
On the other hand, as I study, I look for the details, I look for the history, I look for the things that bring the story to life and make it real to the people. I try to help them to understand the context. I try to help them to realize that these are real people that we are reading about. Flesh and blood people who didn't walk three inches above the ground. I want to be totally true to the word, but help even the oldest, strongest Christian to see the passage with fresh eyes, to really think about what they are reading. I look at things like, can I give a parable or a modern day equivalent that will help them understand (but only if it is totally true to the scripture). Does it relate to a current event or situation? Relevance is key. The Bible is the Word of God. It has managed to stay relevant for thousands of years precisely because it is the Word of God. As we take that Word to a hurting world, shouldn't it be key to show people that relevance?
Not only do I have to show that the people in the Bible were real people, but I have to show them that the person presenting the message is a real person. Someone once said that we are the only Jesus some people will ever see. They don't need to be looking at some "holier than thou" phony. They need to see a real person, who is only different because of the power of God, and then they need to see that that power is available to them as well.
Lastly, the real meat, I believe comes in the application and the challenge to live out the principle in the message. If at all possible, I try to give them something to do about what they heard in the week to come.
Most importantly, the best messages come after massive amounts of time on my face before the Lord asking Him what message He wants the people to hear. Does this mean there will be some baby food for the older ones? Sometimes, if the Lord wills it, but if they follow through to the end, they will find that even the simplest truths come with a real challenge to be lived out.
