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The View From Over There
Posted by Tony Sisk in Uncategorized
It is always a good day when a book catalog comes in the mail. One of my greater joys is coveting books (grin). I am not the voracious reader that I once was, but five children will do that to a man. Last week Tolle Lege arrived in the mail, Reformation Heritage Books’ catalogue. As I was dreaming and thumbing, upon the last page is a recently reprinted edition of 17th century Scottish pastor James Durham’s gargantuan commentary on Isaiah 53. Contained in this volume are no less than seventy-two sermons on the chapter about the suffering savior.
My first thought was, “If I spent seventy-two weeks in Isaiah 53, I would get run off.” Perhaps Durham preached these messages over the course of his short ministry (He died at thirty-six.) and did not subject the congregation he served to seventy-two perpetual weeks of the major prophet and the same twelve verses. (I don’t mean to say that Isaiah 53 is not one of the most important passages of Scripture in the entire Bible; that is not the point here.)
I am certain Durham was sensitive to the leadership of the Spirit as he chose to preach at least 72 messages from this chapter and discerned that this was what his congregation needed to hear. Occasionally, it is important that the pastor step back and “see” where the congregation he serves is spiritually. The pulpit ministry is very important in the life of the church. Each week, God’s people need to hear the Word of God opened and explained in a way that is dynamic, relevant, and timely. I get excited when thinking of presenting the weekly exposition. My time in the study is dear to me.
However, a sermon should not be presented for the sake of presenting a sermon. The pastor needs to ask himself what the congregation needs. This post is not a call for needs-based preaching `a la Bill Hybels. It is however a call to confront the congregation with how the truth of the particular passage preached can affect and shape the congregation for more godly living. If the pastor is not serving a meal each week, intermixed between milk and meat, the congregation then needs to talk to their pastor about it.
However, many pastors portend an attitude of “hands off” my preaching, making them absolutely unapproachable regarding their weekly expositions. Preaching is a big part of who a pastor is and to criticize a pastor for his preaching is often perceived as an insult, an attack on who he is in the Lord. But if I was a church member, and I once was, I would expect a few things out of my pastor.
I would expect my pastor to help me know God. The weekly exposition is theological by its very nature. If it does not teach about God’s character, nature, expectations, etc. it is not an exposition. Like a thirsty traveler, it will lead the people of God to yearn for more. Knowing God is the most exciting thing in life!
I would expect my pastor to help me love God’s Word. Does your pastor engender in you an excitement about being in God’s Word? Does his preaching convey to you an earnestness like the noble Bereans? Is he quick to admit when he does not know something and promise that he will find out? Or does he take offense that “you know more than he does?” Questions are good and I would be afraid if my folks did not ask them.
I would expect my pastor to help me know God’s plan for my life. Orthodoxy without orthopraxy is useless. How should you live what you have been taught? Further, is your pastor, by way of example (1 Peter 5:3) teaching the congregation the truths he preaches? It is one thing to preach that we must care for the poor, but if he isn’t also working at the local soup kitchen, there is a disconnect there the lay leadership needs to address. This is where the weekly exposition matters. If in the weekly exposition your pastor has not challenged you to live the truths taught, then you have simply heard a speech.
Pastors are an odd lot. I can say that because I am one. Pastoral ministry does not exist for its own sake or the sake of the pastor. It exists for the sake of the people whom God has called him to serve. If then, the pastor is not making a dynamic change (through the Holy Spirit, of course!) in the lives of those same people, then his ministry is in vain, and I would hazard to say, not a ministry at all.
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Tony,
Here is where you nailed it:
“Orthodoxy without orthopraxy is useless. How should you live what you have been taught?”
I made a very similar comment not long ago over on Wade Burleson’s blog when he posted about the need for more sound doctrinal preaching. Another commenter “quoted” me then said something to the effect of, “I thought that was the Holy Spirit’s job…”
I must confess I was a bit snippy in my response. Had to do a little repenting.
But I remain in steadfast agreement with you. It’s not enough just to fill up heads with the facts. We must reveal (and demonstrate – as you so wisely pointed out) how to put the truth of God’s Word into living action.
Well said.
Geoff
Bro. Tony,
There’s probably 72 ways to serve up chicken at any meal for 72 days and not get tired of it? He mostly likely though , served a little beef during the week to fuel His message the following Sunday ?
Its my thoughts that Pastor James Durham’s commemtary was observance of the congregation’s attitude ? He probably felt the need for all to understand and not depend on the few that did ! I don’t know about others thoughts but I can read a passage of scripture one day and the next day gain something else from the passage ! It also could have been the only passage he fully understood ?
I think if the pastor has gained the respect from the flock then the flock respects his judgement! Again it depends on the pastors commitment to lead His people in truth ?
I also would expect my Pastor to do all of “the expect list ” you mentioned and answer all the questions I throw at him because I know that He is more educated than me in explaining a scripture ?
The word ” trust ” is a big factor and that is a main reason I attend Sunday services every week is to refill my bucket with the blessings God shares with me ? If I already knew everything then there would be no need to go !
I appreciate my pastor and the servant He is !
Blessings and wishing everyone a blessed Lords day !
Ron.
PS- Don’t tell Bro. Gordon I was talking about Him ?
Maybe preachers need to listen to some actual good preaching such as George Whitfield, Martin-Loyd Jones, Jonathan Edwards. Good expositional preaching that God used greatly, even to begin the Awakening.
All preaching should declare the glorious works of God and His greatness. His gloriousness.
I’m preaching through 1 Timothy right now. We were in the middle of nominating new leaders, and so I decided not to just preach about elders and deacons, but to preach about church through Timothy. I must say that it’s been very varied. I’ve never preached through a book on Sunday mornings. I have taught through on Wednesdays and preached through on Sunday evenings. I’ve been tempted to side-track into some issues that seem to be effecting us. I guess I do it like this.
I like preaching through a books of the Bible on Sunday mormings. People are less consistent, and we see alot of visitors. Preaching through a book makes sure that I cover alot of topics on Sunday, but remain expositional.
I lead a study on Wednesdays that is based more on what we’re doing as a church. About 1/4 of my adults come to that study. I deal with lots of stuff. We alternate between teaching the orthodox doctrines, to dealing with eschatology, to learning how to minister to those who grieve.
I write the cell lessons for our small groups. That’s where I deal with the issues that effect our church. About 2/3 of our church regularly attends cell group. They are the most consistent, core people.
Sometimes I do wonder if Sunday morning should be lighter, more topical, more needs-based. Every sermon I preach is personal. It’s personal to me. I do my best to make it personal to the hearers.
Geoff,
Thanks for the agreement. I like when others agree with me.
Ron,
Don’t worry, I won’t tell Brother Gordon! I understand what you are saying about 72 ways to serve chicken; we Baptists know how to skewer a bird!
Trust is indeed a big factor and the children of God should trust that their pastor is spending time alone with God throughout the week and that he is trying to the best of his God-given ability to lead an authentic Christian life. If he is not, then the pulpit ministry will suffer, both in it and out of it.
Debbie,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t recall you commenting here before, or at least not on one of my posts, so I am glad to have you. I think it would do all pastors very well to listen (or read) the likes of Edwards, Lloyd-Jones (reading one by him right now), Whitefield, as well as some more contemporary preachers. I’ll let you fill in the blanks on those, though I do enjoy Chuck Swindoll and Jack Graham.
Cyle,
I preach through books (Hebrews right now) on Sunday morning, though I take off for special days in the life of the church.
I don’t intentionally build the need element into the message. I try to let the text itself dictate to me how it ought to be applied. I have discovered more often than not that even if I think “Well, my folks won’t benefit from this,” almost always someone comments after the service to the contrary.
I have made the mistake too that if something does not readily apply to me then it won’t naturally apply to the congregation. Aaackk! How could I assume that? But I have done it, to the detriment of those who hear. I then spend more time on the exposition side without really touching on how it ought to be applied, filling my folks’ heads full of knowledge without knowing what to do with what I have preached.
Thanks everyone for the great comments!
Tony,
Is it that important for us to apply the truth, or is it more important for us to teach the truth? The longer I preach, the more limited my applications seem. I sometimes think that my exposition is good and appropriate, and that my application may actually become a limitation by focusing someone on something that God isnt’ focusing them on.
Cyle,
Obviously, you are the more seasoned pastor between us, so I will default to your wisdom and experience and will answer according to what I have learned thus far. I believe the answer to your question, on both counts, is “yes.”
I fear, at least at this point, elevating one over the other.
Perhaps I am not in the same place as you are, confident enough in my expositions that specific applications become unnecessary. In this leg of my journey as a pastor/teacher, I am comfortable with making specific applications from any given text and allow the Holy Spirit to fill in any gaps that He sees fit.
I have discovered, at least in my limited experience, that when I make specific applications the messages tend to be more effective, but that is simply my experience. It could be related to any given factor; my confidence, the movement of God, the congregation’s spiritual maturity, context in which the message is preached, and so on.
Tony, our pastor preaches through books all the time. Especially on Sunday mornings. But the 7 months of Job was wonderful. He started it right after I’d lost my son and I had just finished devouring it before he began the study. It was one of the most beneficial times in my walk as a Christian. Job is now my favorite book in the Bible. selahV
Mrs. V,
I love your testimonies. I also can see how Job would be your favorite book. I pray God continues to bless you and nourish your soul through His Word.
I hope and pray that the testimony of some of the people I serve is that during a series of messages will be “the most ( or at least mildly significant) beneficial times in my walk as a Christian.” God bless.