The Measure of a Sermon, 3

I have a few more thoughts on this subject.  I have been reflecting on the apostolic pattern of preaching.  My own conviction is that we are to follow their pattern -- their emphases and focus and method are our guide.  I recently did a quick study of the use of the imperative mood in the NT.  I was shocked at what I found.

Here is the sum of how the imperative is used by the Apostles.  They use it after and surrounded by the achievements of the Christ upon the cross.  And when they give imperatives, they are often not what I would expect.  For example, the first imperative in Romans is in 6:11, "Consider yourselves dead to sin . . ."  It is followed by, "Do not let sin reign" and "Do not present your members unto sin . . . but present them to God."  Hmmm, that does not sound very moralistic at all.  Sounds like a response to the cross -- a call to exercise faith.

Or let's go to 1 Peter, where the first imperative is 1:13, "Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."  James starts with "Consider it all joy" and Hebrews first command is "Consider him."

We could go most anywhere in the epistles and find that they were far more concerned with explaining the Savior's merits and achievements than in getting on to practicalities.  That runs directly counter to the modern American demand for "useful truth."  I think the apostles would say, "we'll get to useful, but let's talk about who does the saving and how He does it."

Of course, 1 Corinthians is an exception -- it is filled with commands, as is James.  But 1 Corinthians is rooted in applied Gospel thinking.  If all the Corinthians needed was to get slapped around with a little moral pep talk -- Paul wasted a lot of words.  I think James is applied Gospel too -- but that deserves another post.

I think there is in all of us an endless desire to save ourselves.  That is why we want the practical so quickly.  I remember preaching through John a year ago and finding it personally exasperating because it has so little "how to" or "practical" in it.  John wants us to see Jesus clearly.  That is what we need.  I think I need moral instruction.  I do not. I need Jesus.

So, it seems a measure of my ministry of the Word is how much I point people to Jesus and call people to faith in him as the root of their obedience.  I am not called to give lectures on morality.

Comments

[Ann]

I am currently reading:
“When I Don't Desire God--How to Fight for Joy” by John Piper
"He has written many classics, but this is my favorite book by John Piper."
—C.J. Mahaney

It is so good and emphasizes Christ as our treasure. Oh, so sweet! And, that is why I like your blog… I can see that Christ is your treasure. You can find the book here http://www.desiringgod.org/Store/Books/ByTopic/All/481_When_I_Dont_Desire_God/

[James Burns]

Most of what I have been taught says that the entire bible, including the old testament is written to lead us to Christ. I believe that the Word holds treasures that indeed helps us with our everyday lives, but if we miss the trail that leads to Jesus we miss the entire revelation of the book.

I'm a musician not a preacher, but when I speak my intention is to show people Christ. That is the central message and it should be.

People can study their Bible and attend Bible studies to go deeper but I think your right, the message from the pulpit should lead directly to Christ.

[Laura Little]

I think that it is all too true that our morality often comes from an endless desire to save ourselves. Wording it in that way gives me a a litmus test for my morality. Thanks, Mark!

[Robert Ivy]

Great post! I really see your point. Do you think, though, that it could be taken to an extreme?

For example, I was wondering how "unpacking" works if the apostles writing is to be our main guide? Should we break it down into simpler statements or should we just let the apostles' words go untouched?

So I guess I'm really just asking how should the apostles' preaching shape our own?

GDL: well, we are certainly to unpack and explain, but we need to do that in light of the emphases of the letter. For example, I could land on "for this reason the wrath of god comes to the sons of disobedience" in Eph 5 -- do two messages on wrath. But that would be out of line with Paul's overall emphasis.

[Toby Kurth]

This is great stuff. I am looking forward to the post on James. What are preaching through right now by the way?