What is the difference between the messages we get from a talk
show host and the messages we get from spiritual leaders? The sad thing
about this question is that when you answer the correct Biblical answer,
many leaders would contradict the right answer by doing the wrong
thing. You see, when it comes to Biblical preaching, the Bible is really
vocal when it comes to the examples of sermons that are effective and
life-changing. However, people may contend that preachers and leaders
must keep up with how the world is changing mainly due to globalization
and the presence of the media.
Given that the media has such a strong impact in the world today as well as a nation's culture, does the message also flow with the change? Or should the message continue to be "old-fashioned" and therefore because of that, stay Biblical? Is there such a thing as an in-between? Or is there only a thing called compromise? Let us understand the changes first and after that is being dealt, let us draw out what the Bible has to say.
The Never Changing Message
Throughout the Bible, there is one theme: to anticipate (Old Testament) and to witness (New Testament) God's answer to man's sinfulness and that is found in Jesus Christ. That message and everything that surrounds the deity of Jesus, including the promises made concerning him and the promises to be fulfilled which concerns him are untouchable. That is the single foundation that cannot be moved and with that, a Christian sermon is formed.
What Changes Over Time?
Many people are mistaken that a sermon should be delivered in only one particular fashion and one particular sequence. It is true that a particular style done in a particular order will have its particular results. This means that a way of preaching may have a great effect in a particular audience but will have almost non-existent results if preached in a different audience.
It should be noted that the only standard that we can compare our sermons to in order to check whether we are toning down God's word or we are coasting too near the Eisegesis line is if it continues to proclaim God's truth by being affirmed and confirmed by the Bible. This means that if you teach the same message by the Bible, you are going in the right direction when it comes to biblical preaching.
Innovation Is Not Unbiblical
Therefore, you should not be afraid to innovate. Jesus used stories in order for people to fully grasp the message he was speaking. Jesus did not adhere to man's need for self-serving messages which ultimately act as motivation for the common man. Neither did he use theological terms that were only known by the top scholars. Instead, he focuses on man's need to know about God and did whatever it takes for man to understand the message in its full essence.
Therefore, it does not matter to God whether you would want sound effects in the message, the sermon being rapped, or the sermon being incorporated with stories of real people; what matters is that Jesus is glorified biblically by the word being spoken truthfully and in reverence to God.
Conclusion
To sum up a biblical Christian message, there are three simple questions that every preacher must adhere to:
1. Is the purpose of the message to ultimately glorify God and God alone?
2. Is the message being confirmed to be true and biblical by the Bible?
3. Is the projected result/s of the message to teach, rebuke, correct and/or train in righteousness the hearers?
If you have said yes to all the questions above, preach on, preacher.
Given that the media has such a strong impact in the world today as well as a nation's culture, does the message also flow with the change? Or should the message continue to be "old-fashioned" and therefore because of that, stay Biblical? Is there such a thing as an in-between? Or is there only a thing called compromise? Let us understand the changes first and after that is being dealt, let us draw out what the Bible has to say.
The Never Changing Message
Throughout the Bible, there is one theme: to anticipate (Old Testament) and to witness (New Testament) God's answer to man's sinfulness and that is found in Jesus Christ. That message and everything that surrounds the deity of Jesus, including the promises made concerning him and the promises to be fulfilled which concerns him are untouchable. That is the single foundation that cannot be moved and with that, a Christian sermon is formed.
What Changes Over Time?
Many people are mistaken that a sermon should be delivered in only one particular fashion and one particular sequence. It is true that a particular style done in a particular order will have its particular results. This means that a way of preaching may have a great effect in a particular audience but will have almost non-existent results if preached in a different audience.
It should be noted that the only standard that we can compare our sermons to in order to check whether we are toning down God's word or we are coasting too near the Eisegesis line is if it continues to proclaim God's truth by being affirmed and confirmed by the Bible. This means that if you teach the same message by the Bible, you are going in the right direction when it comes to biblical preaching.
Innovation Is Not Unbiblical
Therefore, you should not be afraid to innovate. Jesus used stories in order for people to fully grasp the message he was speaking. Jesus did not adhere to man's need for self-serving messages which ultimately act as motivation for the common man. Neither did he use theological terms that were only known by the top scholars. Instead, he focuses on man's need to know about God and did whatever it takes for man to understand the message in its full essence.
Therefore, it does not matter to God whether you would want sound effects in the message, the sermon being rapped, or the sermon being incorporated with stories of real people; what matters is that Jesus is glorified biblically by the word being spoken truthfully and in reverence to God.
Conclusion
To sum up a biblical Christian message, there are three simple questions that every preacher must adhere to:
1. Is the purpose of the message to ultimately glorify God and God alone?
2. Is the message being confirmed to be true and biblical by the Bible?
3. Is the projected result/s of the message to teach, rebuke, correct and/or train in righteousness the hearers?
If you have said yes to all the questions above, preach on, preacher.
Joseph Su is a preacher, a professional teacher, a businessman, an online marketer, a husband and a follower of Jesus Christ.
Visit his blog by clicking this: Christian blog [http://godsbeseecher.org].
You can also take a look at his current Christian ministries by clicking this: Christian ministries [http://godsbeseecher.org/christian-ministries/].
Visit his blog by clicking this: Christian blog [http://godsbeseecher.org].
You can also take a look at his current Christian ministries by clicking this: Christian ministries [http://godsbeseecher.org/christian-ministries/].
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