What Preachers Won't Preach About

Mandym...

And you would be wrong.

In the charismatic world, yes. That does sometimes occur.

I am referring to Baptist preachers.

Big difference.

Grace and peace.

 

This lay person enjoys expository preaching. This is not to say that there is never a place for a topical sermon message, but I can still recall some of the good expository sermons from my former pastor (now with the Lord) that he preached some 40 years ago. He'd preach expository from one book on Sunday mornings, from another book on Sunday evenings, and from another on Wednesday evenings.

This relatively new Christian at the time (about 5-6 YO in Christ at the time) learned much from his ministry, especially how to study the Bible from the Historical / Grammatical method. No "proof texts" (usually taken out of context) when he was behind the pulpit.

This "I-Don't-Need-No-Studying" concept reminds me of the story about a preacher who believed in just opening the Bible anywhere and, with his eyes closed, point to a verse on that page, and "Let'er Rip!!!" That is, until this happened to him:
1) His Bible opened up to Matthew 27, and his finger landed on the latter part of verse 5 -- "[Judas] went out and hanged himself."
2) Not satisfied with that, he tried it again, this time opening up to Luke 10 and his finger pointing to the last part of verse 37 -- "Go, and do thou likewise."
3) So he gives it one final try and opens up to John 13 with his finger pointing to the last part of verse 27 -- "That thou doest, do quickly!"

Sure enough, he had his three points, but I doubt seriously if that's really what God wanted that preacher to exhort the congregation to do.

 

Ktn4...

:laugh::laugh:

I too have heard that story many many times through the years.

 

Nothing planned out means unprepared. No way around it.

 

Mandym...

Unprepared by a man doesnt mean unprepared by God. :thumbs:

 

So, let me gt this straight... The Holy Spirit is confined to immediate action and cannot work, say, 6 months ahead of time in the heart of the pastor to lead him to preach a series on the letter to the Ephesians?

Not sure where you are getting that from, but not from the Word! :wavey:

This notion that a sermon is more pious if it is preached off the cuff is a lot of hooey, and in all likelyhood the reason so many churches are dying on the vine.

Nothing at all wrong with Spirit-led, prayerfully considered planning and preparation! That is not to say that God cannot work right now, but I'm of a mind that the pastor who says that week in and week out was probably here surfing BB rather than working on his sermon. :laugh:

 

I agree. I will leave it to American members of the BB to evaluate President Bush - I am not qualified to do so - but I don't think that even his harshest critic could say he was worse than the Roman emperor Nero, who was the ruler when Paul wrote 1 Timothy 2.1-2:

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
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In my mind, there is a huge difference between "preaching on" a particular topic, and mentioning that topic in the course of a sermon.

I wouldn't avoid mentioning a topic "because the sermon could negatively affect their hearers' willingness to attend church in the future."

On the other hand, I wouldn't preach a sermon that was solely about politics, h*mosexuality, or indeed any of the things in the OP's list. Even when I preached a series with the title: "A Positive Look at Hell", it was not 6 sermons descrbing that awful place! I don't believe it is right to begin a sermon with words like these: "I have called this morning's sermon: 'Same-s*x Marriage'".

 

Because their name rhymes with "Messy Hackson" ?

I'm just thinking out loud here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Insg0gVL7Y

 

glfredrick...

Something tells me that you wont. :laugh:

Sure enough, you got it all wrong. Go back and *carefully* read what I actually said, NOT what your emotions are making you THINK that I said. I made it very clear that both styles of preaching..improvisational and carefully scripted...are good and profitable.

Whe ever said that the improvinational style is more pious?? Not me.

In truth, there are a multiplicity of reasons why a particular local church might fail.

Of course not. Just like there is nothing wrong with giving it to the church just as God is giving it to preacher. Both are good.

Could be. If God has chose to speak through a particular preacher in a spontaneous style of preaching, it will work out beautifully

 

One might ask the early pastors of this nation (USA) that question!

But seriously, If one is preaching THE BIBLE, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, one is very likely to hit every topic in the list, INCLUDING politics. You see - they all are related. The political realm is influenced by faith in and obedience to God Almighty, or not. When you preach the Word of God - it convicts and SHOULD guide the voters in the best choice, all without the need to necessarily say a politician's name, or a ballot title!

God knew us in the womb - and indeed before the foundations of the World - children are a blessing - et-al. Are these not Pro-Life scriptures? Yet if a politician is pro-choice, you won't even have to say their name for the congregation to get the point.

What it comes around too - topical preaching is dangerous, no matter what. But when we primarily focus on exegetical preaching of God's Word, under HIS guidance, obediently going in His Word where HE leads - He will inevitably lead us to deal with all of these and so many other "Hotbutton" issues. All without going out of our way to SEEK the controversy.

 

How About Unwed Couples Working in Church Activities?

I've actually seen churches allow unwed couples to participate in everything from Sunday School to watching the nursery, to drive the church bus, to working in the church office and teaching at church sponsored schools.

Like one, pastor said, if these folks are good enough to come and work on church work days, why should we deny them the opportunity to be involved in more hands-on programs touching and working with people? This could lead to them being convicted of their sin (pastors know it's a sin) and getting married???

The watering down of the church in regard to what is sin and isn't sin is getting to be more than a mild concern! :type:

 

Because it is part of a Christians life.

 

Are you kidding? Jesus is Lord of ALL. Except, of course, of politics (don't you know?).

 

And other than submitting to governing powers and praying for our leaders how does one preach on politics?

If we are faithfully preaching the word of God we don't need to turn our pulpits into political platforms.

 

Its not necessary to do so. But all political issues are moral issues that need to be addressed.

 

Okay, so taxation is a moral issue that needs to be addressed from scripture? Socialised medicine? Government bail-outs of private companies?

Sure Jesus and Paul talked about taxes - pay them.

How about socialised medicine and bail-outs?

 

Yes, pay your taxes and don't expect others taxes to be collected to be your main support of life.

Pro_12:14 ,Pro_16:3 Pro_16:11 Pro_18:9 Pro_22:29 Col_3:17 Eph_5:20

Care for others and earn your own living. Gal 6:2 Pro 18:9 Pro 24:27

Government is not the answer to any of our problems. reliance on government creates slothful people

Pro_21:25 Rom_12:11

Also show me in scripture where politics should never be discussed in the pulpit. And no pastor should endorse a particular candidate not because politics does not belong in the pulpit but because men fail and an endorsement may put your credibility in jeopardy should a skeleton appear after wards.

 

Your [sic] was not necessary, that is the way socialised is spelled here. This board is not only American.

I have to say that I find your examples stretches of Bible principles. However, we should preach principles, but let the Holy Spirit make the application instead of applying our own invectives. i.e. 'The Bible says 'He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.' and those dirty rotten Democrats are trying to make America into a country of sloths.'

Sure, preach that Bible principle, but there is no need to apply it to elections or a party or a political idea. I think the Holy Spirit can do that.

'Preach the word' the Bible says, not 'preach your political agenda and mould my word to suit it.'

If politics is going to be a pulpit issue we had better be willing to accept those who have other political views to use their pulpit as well.

Of course there is no verse that says 'Don't preach politics' any more than there is a verse that says 'Don't smoke a cigarette,' or 'don't allow socialised medicine.'

BTW, just out of curiosity, how do Colossians 3.17 and Ephesians 5.20 apply to paying taxes?

 

the board is American owned and the server is in America.

I am sure you do.

This is not scriptural

Those are your words and your unnecessary assumption. I have never said such a thing. Do not read into others words based on your flawed view. there may just be another way to handle it.

A preacher worth his salt will always make relevant application. A sermon without it is not worth two cents.

That is your "invective" not mine.

And?

I made a case scripturally you have made no attempt.

If you are thankful for what you have you are not going to expect others to provide for you.