There is an interesting phenomena in many church circles. I hear it all the time. A preacher goes to someone's church, and with great passion delivers the sermon. Then I hear comments like:
- He preached the house down!
- He wrecked the church!
- People were hanging on chandeliers!
Etc. I admit to have aspired to to the same at times. In fact, for many people, if a preacher doesn't do all the above, "he didn't preach." LOL! :)
But I have a confession. I can't remember any of those sermons. None. Oh I might remember the title. I might remember being encouraged and enthusiastic. I might remember yelling "preach!" But with difficulty, I admit that they rarely moved me.
Now don't get upset. I love good old fashioned preaching at times. LOL. But what I mean is I may have been moved emotionally for a moment and I may have been encouraged, but that's it. When I think about the sermons that caused me to repent, caused me to understand doctrine and truth better, told me how to be a better husband, adjusted me to educate and disciple my children differently, pushed me to pray, evangelize (not just say amen and do nothing), made me get out of debt, convicted me of personal sin, inspired me to worship, and on and on, none of those sermons were "church wrecking" sermons. Men of God simply presented the clear text (many times using lots of Scripture), explained it, helped me see the problem it addressed, and God moved me.
The preaching/teaching was transformational, not just emotional. I was "taught to observe" what the Lord commanded. In fact, the sermons I have on my blackberry and listen to over and over are these type. They present God's truth for the primary purpose of His glory. They expose darkness. They are convicting AND loving and they produce movement.
So going forward, I want to be a better transformational teacher. The need for movement is dire in the Body of Christ. There is a lot of Amening going on, but our marriages don't show it. Our children don't show it. Our money doesn't show it. Our holiness and hatred of compromise doesn't show it. And the culture doesn't show it.
Preaching and teaching should do more than encourage; it should soundly movitate God's people to do His will, and convict those who won't. That's the kind of teacher I want to be.
