Preacher’s Personal Life

The Pre-Sermon Bible Study Journey

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Bible study feels like a journey. Perhaps for others the terrain feels slightly different, but I can often discern three stages I go through in the process of studying a passage. I am not referring to exegetical method here, but rather to a sense of progress in my quest to understand the passage.

1. Apparent Clarity. Not in every text, but often the first reading seems relatively clear. Perhaps I recognize the characters, or note some rich preaching vocabulary or concepts. Whether or not I’m thinking about preaching it, the text seems initially clear. This stage does not last long. Once I start questioning the text, I soon move into the next stage:

2. Complexity and Lack of Clarity. As I seek to plumb the meaning of the passage, hunting for the author’s idea, it often becomes murky. There’s word study, lexical study, contextual analysis, wrestling with the flow of the text, alternating between synthesis and analysis, etc. At this point it is sometimes tempting to quit or go for a shortcut (like preaching multiple distinct ideas from the same text). If I prayerfully push on through, there is often the joy of arriving at the last stage:

3. Informed Clarity. This is where the relationship of the parts and the whole make sense. This is where the section is clear in its relationship to the flow of the book. This is a great place to get to in Bible study. This is the place I like to be before I think about preaching the text.

My fear for myself, and others seeking to be Biblical preachers, is that we will fail to preach out of a “stage 3” informed clarity. I see in myself the temptation to quit in stage two and preach some form of textual confusion (obviously we tend to paper over confusion to give apparent cohesion to the message). At times I hear messages where I wonder if the preacher even entered stage two at all. The presence of some “rich” preaching words seems to be enough to spark a whole message in some preachers! Let’s be sure to be diligent, to study and show ourselves approved, to push through to informed clarity for our own sakes, and for the sake of those who have to listen to our explanation of the text!

The Big One: Glory!

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I’m sure we all would concur that we want to preach to the glory of God!  It is a motivation that should drive everything we do.  But let’s make sure this is not an ambiguous concept.

God is glorified when we magnify Him in our preaching.  When His Word is preached, He should be the central character, the hero, the one elevated as a result.  This means our preaching is not about us as preachers, or merely about our listeners, or even about Bible characters, it is first and foremost about God.  Theocentric preaching, absolutely.

However, it is important to remember that bringing “glory” to God is not merely saying big things about Him or saying those things in a certain voice.  Glory is the fruit of love.  Consider John’s presentation of glory in his gospel, in chapter 17, for instance.  So as we preach God’s Word out of love for Him, and stir in others a greater love for God, He is glorified.

Furthermore, genuine love for God will show in the lives of our listeners.  Whatever we do, whether in word or deed, it should all be to the glory of God.  We should glorify Him in our bodies.  There are numerous references like these that point out the need for appropriate practical emphases in our preaching.  It is not enough to always stir worship, but not life change.  As I listened to Joe Stowell recently, I was reminded again that preaching for transformed lives means a practical righteousness in the lives of our listeners that is the greatest apologetic of our age – which all brings glory to God!

Let us preach to the glory of God, but not hide behind that motivation as an excuse for irrelevant or application free sermons.

The Biggest Challenge in Ministry

/ Peter Mead / 4 Comments

What would you say is your biggest challenge in ministry?  The people you work with, the people you preach to, the people who don’t come, the enemy of our souls?  I appreciate and concur with Dr Joe Stowell, former president of Moody Bible Institute.  His answer is simple, but profound.  “My biggest challenge in ministry is me.”  Mine too.  And perhaps yours?

If we are able, by God’s grace, to get “me” disciplined, in control, responsive to God, etc. then there is the possibility, by God’s grace, of handling everything else too.  If we don’t get “me” in control, everything and everyone else is a secondary issue.

Stowell’s 4 Power Dynamics

/ Peter Mead / 1 Comment

Joe Stowell, in a session on preaching, listed four power dynamics that are critical for preaching transformationally, that is, preaching for changed lives.  Nothing new here, but a helpful reminder for us all:

1. The Preacher’s Life – This is number one for a reason.  Consider the true value of our integrity, our walk with Christ, our willingness to apologize when necessary (and periodically it is for we all fail).

2. The Text – Do we need any comment here?  After all, this site is about Biblical preaching!

3. The Context – Not the hermeneutical overarching principle for Bible study, but the context in which you preach.  Stowell pointed out that no church would continue to finance a missionary who refused to consider issues of culture, language, etc.  Yet many preachers allow themselves the same nonsensical freedom when it comes to the ministry in the pulpit!

4. Clarity – If the feedback stated is “Wow, that was deep!” then the message should be translated as “I didn’t get what you were talking about!”  Be clear.

Simple stuff, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who needs these reminders.

Some Sermons Need More Time

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Another Stowell comment that I appreciated last week as I drove in the middle of the night down that deserted highway called the M1.  “A sermon prepared in the mind of the preacher only reaches the mind of the listeners.  But one prepared in the mind, and in the heart and life of the preacher reaches the heart and life of the listener too.”  How true is that?

We must allow time for sermons to soak long enough in our lives that we are changed, rather than merely informed.  Perhaps this means starting preparation a few days ahead of a normal, but rushed schedule.  I wrote before about preparing using a 10-day rather than a 5-day preparation schedule.  But sometimes this is not enough.

The example Stowell shared illustrates this well.  Let’s say that you are going to preach on prayer, but you know yourself and know you are not a pray-er.  What to do?  Postpone the sermon for a year and learn, with God’s help, to pray.  Then preach it!

All sermons need more time than a day or two before delivery.  Some sermons need much more time.  The time it takes for a learned truth to become a lived reality.

What Are You Aiming To Be?

/ Peter Mead / 4 Comments

I was greatly encouraged the other night. After a challenging week I had a two to three hour drive to preach at a university Christian Union meeting. It went well, far better than it should have gone. On the way home I was built up and encouraged by listening to Dr Joseph Stowell, former president at Moody Bible Institute. He was speaking about preaching. He encouraged this preacher.

One of the gems I appreciated in his talk was this. He urged his listeners not to aim to be a great preacher. Instead, he urged them to strive to be an effective preacher. Greatness puts the focus on yourself, while effectiveness keeps the focus where it should be, on the listeners. As he said, “The issue is not how well you’re doing, it’s how well your listeners are doing!”

One of the benefits of aiming for effectiveness rather than greatness is that it takes away any jealousy or resentment of “great” preachers. If you’re not aiming for greatness then they are no threat, they are not the competition. In reality there are very few great preachers, and most of us would do well to not be comparing ourselves and making excuses for our own lack of “fame” (if I had thirteen secretaries, or if I had a slick marketing manager, or if I just knew the right people, etc.) Let the greats be great. Let us be effective. Oh, and if Swindoll, or Piper, or Stanley, or Lucado, or Begg, or Briscoe, or David Jeremiah, or whoever, happens to throw a bail of hay over the fence and feed our sheep, then praise the Lord!

Let’s not aim for greatness, let’s diligently strive for effectiveness.

The Sweetest Agony

/ Peter Mead / 1 Comment

Somebody said that preaching is the sweetest agony.  It is sweet when lives are changed.  And it is agony all the rest of the time!

There is nothing as rewarding as seeing lives changed.  Sometimes from a one-off sermon.  Typically over the long haul.  Sometimes it is hard to measure.  Sometimes you receive a note that overtly expresses gratitude for the change that has occurred.  Often you hear nothing.  Since preaching is often more agony than sweetness, it is a good idea to keep some reminders of the sweetness of lives changed.  A drawer where those periodic notes or letters are dropped in, then sit there awaiting a time when you need a reminder of the sweetness of the preaching ministry.  A folder in your email entitled “Encouragements” that you can go back to when the inbox is overwhelming and discouraging.

There is more sweetness to preaching though.  If the sweetness is changed lives, then don’t miss the one life that hears every time you preach.  I don’t mean your spouse, although any encouragements there are worth so much.  I mean you.  Every time you or I prepare a sermon we are involved.  We go through the times of prayer, the valleys, the highs, the wrestling with the text, the grappling with the big idea, the prayerful cutting of material, the sermon run throughs for an audience of two (the Lord, and yourself).  A lot of this process may be agonizing.  Much of it can seem like thankless toil.  But there are good times too.  Times of sweet fellowship with the Lord.  Times of clarity in the exegesis of the text.  Times of blessing and encouragement.  Sweet times.  When these occur, perhaps find a way to mark them just like the thank-you notes above.  Perhaps an entry in a journal, or a note on your notice board, a visual memorial on a shelf . . . something to remind you of how good it can be, and will be again.

Preaching is agony much of the time, it has to be.  But it is a sweet privilege to see God at work in your life, and through you, in the lives of others.

Struggling to Focus? Motivating Earthen Vessels – Part 2

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In the first part of this post we thought about the reality of almost constant discouragement in ministry.  One part of our response to these things must be to look to God and press on.  But then there is another side – look to God and renew.

Renewing ability to focus – Discouragement can easily steal focus from our lives.  We might go through the motions and do what needs to be done, but do so without a real ense of focus and concentration.  Ultimately this means we are not giving our best to God, family, ministry, etc.  The ability to focus requires processing of discouragement and distraction with God (take time to pray through the issues and “cast your cares on Him”).  Then there are other factors in focusing, simple ones like getting exercise (it helps the brain, endorphins and all that stuff), plus getting sleep.

Renewal of the EQ – Bill Hybels spoke a few years back about our EQ – our Emotional Quotient.  He suggested that we’re quick to care for ourselves spiritually and even physically, but there are also the emotional needs that we have.  Rest is important in multiple forms.  Enough sleep.  Days off.  Times away from our normal role.  Time with the family.  Time alone.  Time with friends to share the deep struggles.  Time with friends to just unwind.  Time to laugh and relax.  I know you don’t have time for all this, neither do I.  But if we don’t make the time then we will suffer and the EQ dial will start flashing warning lights at us.

Remember this – Loss of focus, discouragement, distraction, etc. are not a good excuse for sin.  When our internal fuel tanks are low, temptation will usually hit us pretty hard.  But sin will only compound the issues, not help us escape from them.

Being able to focus is important in any preaching ministry.  What other tips can you share with us?  What do you find helps you?

Motivating Earthen Vessels

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If you have been involved in ministry for more than a few weeks, you’ve probably noticed that discouragements come with the territory.  Of course, there are times when all is great, the mountain-top times.  But discouragement will keep biting at us all from various sides.  In this post we will consider one response to the issues raised, then in part 2 we’ll balance that with another possible response.

Discouragement can come from others.  Sniping, gossiping, criticism, comparison and outright attack.  I remember reading Well-Intentioned Dragons, a small book addressing the issue of people who think they are doing the right thing, but keep on tearing down the pastor or minister.  Discouragement can come from inside.  Feelings of failure, inadequacy,  downright fatigue.  Discouragement can come from lack of obvious fruit in the ministry.  It can come from almost anywhere.

Remember that this treasure is in earthen vessels, and that applies to you as much as to your congregation or to others.  Remember that your role is not to make everyone happy all the time.  Remember that God has prepared you and gifted you and is continuing to use you, even if you don’t feel it right now.

Paul wrote about earthen vessels in the context of his own preaching ministry (2 Cor.4).  “We are earthen vessels so that God will receive the glory.  We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; stuck down, but not destroyed.”  At times we may feel knocked down, but we’re not knocked out.  By God’s grace let us get back up and press on for His glory!

Have Times Changed?

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Times have changed.  The New Testament was written in a time when the primary form of public entertainment, at least in the Greek context, was the oratory of the travelling rhetoricians.  Today we live in a time of complex and numerous forms of entertainment, a time when oratory is frowned upon by many.  Times have changed.  In those days the “speaker” was one who spoke with a motivation to look good, to make money and to gain the applause of the audience.  Times have changed, or have they?

If there is a sphere where the potential dangers of oratorical pride persist, it is in the church.  It is so easy to preach in such a way as to look good before others, to pump up your own hype.  It is a constant danger that money becomes a motivating factor in ministry decisions (both individual invitations as a guest speaker, or moving church for a better pay package).  It is a lurking temptation to preach for applause (not typically the theatrical ovation, but the post-sermon feedback, the cloud of affirmation).  These dangers are before us whether we are guest preachers, or local pastors.  But we must fight every temptation to tickle ears, line our pockets or only ever look good.

Here are some basic starting points:

Honor God’s Word – Preach the Word.  If it might make people uncomfortable, preach the Word.  If people’s ears won’t feel tickled, preach the Word.  Obviously be gracious and careful, but don’t preach always living in fear of offending someone.

Honor God’s People – It is tempting to tickle ears and promote good feelings all round, but people need more than that.  Love them enough to communicate the text relevantly, even if somewhat uncomfortably.  Love them enough to challenge errant thinking, dangerous tendencies, etc.  But don’t take this as an excuse for laying on guilt trips all the time – remember that our people need a lot of encouragement too!

Process Personal Pride Promptings – Pride is a temptation for all of us.  It may manifest in different forms, but we must all be aware of it.  Let’s always process any pride promptings before God.  Take the positive comments, the whispering voice of affirmation, the feelings of accomplishment, and bring them back to Calvary.

Times have changed, but not completely.