"The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, who God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:30-32 ESV
The early preachers of the Gospel could deliver The Message in less than sixty words. They cut through the darkness that surrounded them, like a laser beam straight from the throne of God. They were not like dim bulbs of night lights, hoping not to offend the senses of those comfortable in the darkness. The Message they delivered was all about The Light. The result?
"When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them." v. 33
"Kip" Hollingsworth was one of the best deacons I ever had the privilege to serve with, during my first pastorate. He loved to rib me, Sunday after Sunday, with his favorite one liner, "Preacher, there is no such thing as a bad, short sermon." With all due respect, "Kip" was wrong. The first preachers of the Gospel got it down to less than sixty words, and still stirred up a lot of anger. It really only takes one word to split the house...JESUS.
Jesus didn't come to build a consensus, but to build a church. His mission, and His message have not changed. Like the old Steve Green song says, "Across the street / Or around the world / The mission's still the same / Proclaim and live the Truth / In Jesus' name." PREACH IT!
When the early preachers were dragged back in front of the religious elite and guardians of their contemporary culture, they didn't mince words, parse phrases, massage nuances, or leave anyone in doubt. They fixed the blame on sinners, and the solution on Jesus.
Preaching that does anything less than point people, friend or foe, to Jesus as The Way, and The Holy Spirit as The Promise, is not New Testament preaching. Don't get me wrong, this preaching may not make enemies, and it may even draw a crowd. By stroking the egos of disobedient, self-absorbed rebels, a preacher can make a name for himself, as a positive, and politically correct poser. His posturing, as a not-for profit prophet, has very seductive, fringe benefits. His preaching may leave people feeling good about themselves, but it won't change their lives.
Sunday, I tuned in to hear one of the current, wonder boys of positive preaching. He was leading his congregation into a series of repetitive "I AM" declarations. They were not the seven declarations made by Jesus, in the Gospel of John. They were self-declarations of perceived importance derived from the pride of man. Big difference.
It reminded me of the character, Stuart Smalley, whose pop-psychology parody made Al Franken famous, before he became a joke of a Senator.
"I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me." Stuart Smalley
One of the first lessons learned in Elementary Greek is the definition of "EGO" is translated as "I AM." Good to know. Ego-centric preaching is not Christ-centered preaching.
Note to self: If your preaching ever begins to resemble a session of a "Stuart Smalley Twelve Step Seminar", STOP IT!
The enemies of The Message will always hate hearing a messenger declare from the Word of God what Jesus said about Himself.
1 ) John 6:48 I am that bread of life. KJV
2) John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. KJV
3) John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. KJV
4) John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. KJV
5) John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: KJV
6) John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. KJV
7) John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. KJV
The only EGO-centric preaching ever appropriate for The Message of any preacher is Christ-centered preaching. Preaching centered on Jesus will change lives. Preaching focused on man may improve the reception of The Message from the enemies of The Gospel, but it will only prolong the deception of those who hunger and thirst for The Gospel.
Preachers need to pray for the courage to preach nothing less than Jesus. People in the pews need to pray for discernment and expect, and accept nothing less from the pulpit.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!