Here’s the first part in this series (link).
I had coaching this past Monday, and we talked about preaching, so I thought I’d write down, in list form, what I’ve learned after preaching regularly for a year in a full church setting. Now, grant you, I’ve been teaching regularly in some capacity for over 3 years, but the “big church” setting is a different monster. Here are some things I’ve learned, and want to learn:
5. Preach and Shepherd Simultaneously
This is where I have some trouble. There are many different “theories” about multiperspectivalism out there (John Frame’s being the most prominent in The Doctrine of God (A Theology of Lordship)
Prophet = Truth should be brought in a forward way, to admonish the people and their sinfulness, and to exalt Christ and His righteousness.
Priest = The truth should be brought in a loving way, interceding for the people and their brokenness, and to portray Christ as the great Healer and Shepherd.
King =The truth should be brought so as to administratively move the community forward, with Christ as the great King and Head Apostle.
Most preachers (in the literal sense of the term) are high-prophet. Myself included. I’m also pretty kingly, and can usually put forth the vision with relative accuracy. I, however,have MAJOR struggles with being priestly in my sermons. In fact, this point was the bulk of conversation in my coaching meeting on Monday. It’s one thing, in my mind, to counsel and discuss “shepherd-matters” one-on-one over dinner; it’s another matter entirely to actually shepherd people through the sermon. But when we look at the great sermons of the New Testament (Jesus, Peter, Stephen, Paul) we see that shepherding does in fact take place, even through the hard truths of the sermon. We as preachers should be shepherding our people not just in meetings, coffee-breaks, and dinners…but through our sermons as well.
6. Preach With Conviction
God is not just speaking through you to the community that has been entrusted to you. He is also speaking to you…even while you preach. That being said, preach as if the sermon applies to you as well…because it does. The text that is being enlightened by God and His Spirit is not just for the people you are preaching to…it is for you as well. So don’t just mentally wade through your own sermon…sink into every thought that crosses your mind – every word that crosses your lips – and immerse yourself in the Truth that is being poured through you to the community by the Trinity. I think that if you are truly paying attention to what God is saying through you, that you will preach out of conviction…and the other characteristics will very well follow (authority, urgency, etc.) God does not use us to our neglect…but for our benefit.
7. Preach Jesus
More importantly than why you preach or how you preach is who you preach. There is nothing more important than preaching about the person and work of Jesus, Sunday in and Sunday out. It doesn’t matter the text or topic…everything in Scripture, and indeed life, points to Christ. Figure the shadows out, and teach it clearly to your people. I taught Leviticus 15:20 this past Sunday. It says:
And everything on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean. Everything also on which she sits shall be unclean.
It’s talking about menstruation, of course. What does this have to do with Jesus? The person is unclean because they rest in their own blood…not in the blood of Jesus. It gives Isaiah 64:6 more clarity. Just an example.
Wait…did I already say that? Yep. It’s that important. 