Here are some random cool thoughts that came into my head while I was listening to someone preach today. These thoughts are not directly correlated or in contrast with the person speaking, but my mind wondered while I was listening. Also, this is not an attempt to create an exhaustive philosophy of preaching.
1. Preach in a way that inspires people with a vision of what their lives could look like if they follow Jesus. Paint a picture of following Jesus for a college student leveraging his life for what matters most in this world. Paint a picture of following Jesus for a dad leading his suburban household, a single mom of three kids, a business owner, a grandparent, a high school student and a stay at home mom. Let them see what could be. While there is an important element of rebuke and revealing idolatry in preaching, don't forget the monumental value of inspiring people with vision.
2. Preach in a way that exposes American Christianity to global Christianity. Talk about what Christians face in Turkey, Afghanistan, China and India. Talk about what it means to take up your cross and suffer in a Muslim country. Talk about what it means to be a true church community in communist China. Talk about what it means to support other believers in the bush of Central Africa. Talk about what it means to be a Christian businessperson in London. Let's expose the local church to the universal church. Hopefully, this will breed humility, encourage thankfulness, and crucify apathy for our audience.
That's all I got for today.
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4 comments:
I enjoy reading your thoughts and such as you continue to do and prepare for ministry. I read this post today and was simply reminded of this: that's why it's imperative to preach the Gospel! It seems that Evangelical pastors often get bogged down in their 3 steps to being a great father sermons, or 7 principles of great sex and marriage sermons, or whatever other "issue" they can come up with, that they forget or neglect the power of the gospel. It is my great conviction that you can and will accomplish both of those principles, if you preach the Gospel. (forgive the self-confidence and hint of cynicism) =) Christ be with you!
vision = a glimpse of what COULD be & SHOULD be that grabs your heart & ignites it with passion so that those things WILL be...
nice to have you back brotha! 6 posts already in 1 month! wow, that's almost as many as last year!
dude... good thoughts. I like the part about broadening our perspective from American Christianity to global Christianity! I am happy to read your thoughts because of your careful reflections and sincere desire to make Christ known and not yourself.
Good stuff fellas!
The blog has been resurrected, but I'm still not a savvy as you guys. I guess I should add a picture to my profile.
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