Preaching Proverbs 4: Sayings and Sermons

December 15, 2011December 9, 2011 / Peter Mead / Leave a comment

Yesterday I described two masterpieces of the art of preaching Proverbs (click here to see post). Both the explanatory emphasis of the first and the applicational emphasis of the second affirmed the possibility of a full-length single saying sermon from the Proverbs. What were some of the key features of these sermons?

1. Repetition. In both cases the preachers repeated the main idea (the proverb) multiple times. It never felt forced or tedious, but it did tattoo the truths on the hearts of those listening. Proverbs are designed to be memorable. While we don’t have the memorability of the original language to aid us, repetition certainly helped.

2. Memorability. We don’t have sound-play in the wording like the Hebrew, but memorability can be achieved in other ways. In the first example Haddon Robinson achieved memorability by pursuing visualization. That is, through vivid description, the listeners could see what he described, and having seen it on the screen of their hearts, they wouldn’t forget. In the second example, Gene Curtis achieved memorability by a different type of sound-play. Not the sounds of the words, but the clever use of a repeated first line of a song. Actually, this musical marker was so effective in flagging up the need for the proverb because he ended the mini-rendition by tweaking the tune into a melancholic minor key each time – a refrain introducing the main idea each time.

3. Non-linearity. Neither sermon imposed what felt like a foreign sermon structure on the text. There was no overt three point with sub-point presentation involved. Both felt relaxed and slightly circular, yet on paper could have been defined using standard outlining, of course. There wasn’t the urgency of a narrative, or the driving progression in logic of an epistle. The structure seemed to fit the genre.

4. Application. Both sermons were marked by specific, tangible, relevant and vivid application. While the one placed greater emphasis on explanation, both felt absolutely preached to the listener, to mark the listener and to bring about transformation. I’m sure many of us could manage it, but surely it must be wrong to turn a practical, vivid, life truth, into an academic curio. It takes great intellect to make something simple and clear, but a lesser preacher can impress and confuse the listener. Hey, was that a contemporary antithetical distich? Nice.

Tomorrow I’ll finish the series . . .

Preaching Proverbs 3: Full-Length Single Saying Sermons

December 14, 2011December 9, 2011 / Peter Mead / 3 Comments

Jon provoked this series of posts by asking if it is possible to preach longer than five minutes on a proverb (particularly the two-line kind), without preaching topically through a whole subject. I believe it is. Not just in theory, but based on my experience as a listener. Two, perhaps three messages stand out to me, that have been on a single two-line saying, and have warranted the full sermon length they were given. So, two ways to pursue fully orbed Proverb preaching:

The Every Angle Jewel Explanation Approach. The message I have in mind is one I head a few years back from Dr Haddon Robinson. Seemed like a simple saying, until he started probing it. Like a connoisseur of fine jewels, Robinson took up that little saying and methodically turned it in every direction, probing each facet to gradually determine the richness of the meaning of the proverb. Technically he used carefully developed paragraphs of thought. Experientially it was like sitting at the feet of a wise sage giving a guided tour of a fascinating thought. In the process of explanation I learned about metallurgy, about Hebrew culture, about the language used, and most importantly, about myself as the light reflecting from that jewel shone into corners of my life. There was no bony structure sticking out, or jerky transition into time for an application. It was relaxed, it was measured, it was well-crafted, it was a message that marked me.

The Every Direction Intersection Application Approach. Ok, so my label is almost as long as a proverb, but I’m not Solomon. The message I have in mind is one I heard in seminary chapel over a decade ago. Dr Gene Curtis preached a masterpiece of a sermon that still influences my ministry today. A typical two liner. A full length sermon. A lot of marked listeners. How did he do it? He explained the proverb, which didn’t take long, but then he applied it. Then he applied it again. Then he applied it again. Multiple situational applications, all driving home the same point, the main point of the proverb. In this particular case he also used the first line of a children’s Sunday school song to reinforce the point and offer a musical memory marker along the way. If you can imagine a busy intersection in the centre of a large city, a roundabout/rotary with multiple roads leading off it, that was his sermon. He left the world of the Hebrew sage and entered the office of the pastor, the conversation of the spouse, the lap of the parent, the phone call of the friend, etc. Each time showing the relevance of the proverb, each time reinforcing the same point, each time returning to the text and then heading off on a different exit point. I would love to have preached a sermon so effective.

I was impressed recently with a sermon by Andy Stanley on a single proverb, which was excellent, but despite the impressive feats, perhaps it didn’t quite attain to the two I’ve described. (Or perhaps it had the strengths of both!)

Preaching Proverbs 2: Persons Present and Powerful

December 13, 2011December 9, 2011 / Peter Mead / 2 Comments

Yesterday I suggested we must beware of legalistic moralizing when preaching the Proverbs. Tomorrow I’ll offer two simple approaches to full-length sermons on single proverbs. Today I want to share two more “foundational thoughts” that I think should be kept in mind.

Thought 2 – We should preach Christ, but let’s not be overly speculative and force Christ into every line. I won’t delve into the issues, good and bad, with preaching Christ as “lady wisdom personified” in this post. It is possible to preach Christ from Proverbs, but it isn’t a game where the most creative link wins a prize. Some of what is done with good intentions does come across as Christian gymnastics and even the most informed listener struggles to see how anyone else would have come to that conclusion from that text. Let’s be careful not to lose biblical credibility while trying to “preach Christian.” Better to preach Christ in light of the larger flow of biblical revelation than to make a hop, skip and jump from a rock badger to the Rock of Ages.

Thought 3 – Proverbs gives us a compelling framing imagery of the two women. Proverbs is a literary piece of art. Now we do lose so much in terms of the assonance, alliteration, word play, etc. – kind of like translating “a stitch in time saves nine” into Italian, or “raining cats and dogs” into Korean. And we are not really attuned to Hebraic parallelism when it comes to poetic writing forms. But we shouldn’t miss how the collection of short, memorable and pithy sayings is wrapped in a frame of human imagery. Specifically the two personified ladies of wisdom and folly. Which path will the young man take? The road to destruction in response to the heady flirtation of harlot folly, or the wonderful blessing of marriage to lady wisdom? I would be inclined to allow that kind of overt literary framing to provide an overriding narratival snapshot into which the issues of wisdom and folly can be placed in relational terms rather than mere burdens of behavior.

So much more could be said on both of these thoughts, so feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

Preaching Proverbs 1: Epilogues and Exhaustion?

December 12, 2011December 9, 2011 / Peter Mead / 4 Comments

Jon sent me an email about Proverbs. He asked whether I thought the preacher heading into Proverbs is bound to either preach for a five minute mini message or an exhaustingly exhaustive topical study of an entire subject? Isn’t the preacher guaranteed to impose a homiletical structure on a simple saying, or preach a plethora of cross-references in order to fill the time? And, why haven’t I written more about preaching Proverbs on this site?

First, the question about this site is easy to answer. I have neither preached from Proverbs, nor heard a sermon from Proverbs in the last few years and so my thinking hasn’t been provoked on this important issue. I was involved in a preacher’s retreat on the subject of preaching Proverbs a while back, but thanks to Jon for provoking my thoughts! (Actually, Jon’s written a lot on this specific issue, for example this post on preaching Proverbs.)

So, three thoughts on preaching Proverbs, before I explain two ways I believe a full-length sermon can be worthwhile on a single proverb!

Thought 1 – We need to be wary of preaching moralistic legalism. This is a danger everywhere in the Bible – “so the moral of the story is . . . be a good boy/girl and obey your parents!” This is too common in preaching, and massively misses the mark of preaching the extravagant relational grace that infuses the Bible with the life of God’s love. This is especially easy in Proverbs. Be good. Try hard. Be disciplined. Be like this man. Don’t be like that one. Let’s be careful to prayerfully ponder the proverb we plan to preach in light of the bigger context of Scripture and in light of what our listeners really need.

Tomorrow I’ll offer two further thoughts before getting to two full-length sermon approaches that I have seen work very effectively.

Saturday Short Thought – Lone Ranger Ministry?

December 10, 2011December 8, 2011 / Peter Mead / 4 Comments

This week I have blogged about delivery, which in many ways is all about the connection between preacher and listeners. Preaching is an inherently communicative ministry, yet it can be such a lonely ministry. Some preachers are too busy and don’t spend the time they need to, alone with God. Other preachers are too independent and don’t spend the time they need to, connecting with others. Preaching involves lone time in preparation, and often a desire to remain alone after preaching (since a spent preacher can feel so vulnerable during post-preaching interaction).

Three slightly random thoughts to finish the week:

1. The preacher should never be truly alone. Preparation time should be saturated in prayer, and enjoyed in fellowship with the God we represent. If we have any encouragement from our union with Christ, if we have any comfort from His love, any fellowship with the Spirit . . . surely we do. We must.

2. Preacher’s benefit from interaction with each other. This week we had our second preacher’s workshop at church. I am excited about this group and hope that in time it will become a special gathering that will not only educate and develop preachers, but will create a sense of team in the preaching ministry of the church. Sharing resources, sharing feedback, sharing enthusiasm, sharing encouragement. I wouldn’t want to miss out on that!

3. In a small way preachers can benefit from online connections. I find some benefit from mutual encouragement with other preaching friends online. Comments on this site make a difference in my ministry. So this week I have launched the Biblical Preaching facebook page – a place for preachers and listeners to connect and share resources, discussion, encouragement. The slightly less formal surroundings there will, I hope, allow interactions that will feed into the content of this site. I’ll also share the odd link to helpful resources there too. The more people that know about it and “like” it, the more value it will have. Would you help by “liking” the page (you can click on the like button in the facebook box to the right, or go to the page and like it there), and perhaps share the link with others via facebook and twitter? Thanks so much. Don’t miss the chance to win two great preaching books too – click here for promotion information.

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Next Week: Powerful, Provocative, Pithy – Preaching Proverbs

Can I Tread on Some Special Toes?

December 9, 2011December 9, 2011 / Peter Mead / 32 Comments

It is coming up to the time of year when people are making resolutions. One of the big ones in churches is to read the Bible through in a year. So perhaps you are thinking of encouraging people to do this by suggesting a reading plan. Here’s where I am going to tread on some special toes.

“I don’t think the Robert Murray M’Cheyne reading plan

is a good idea.”

There, I said it.

His plan, which is still widely promoted by various big names, essentially involves reading four chapters per day. This takes people through the whole Bible plus a bit of repeating (NT & Psalms, I think) in a year. I think it is great to help people get into the Bible, and I know many have been helped by it, but I don’t think this is the best way to go.

Essentially the problem with the plan, and others like it, is that the reading is segregated. So readers start in Genesis, Ezra, Matthew and Acts all on day one. I don’t want to stir up a sanctified riot, but I don’t think this is a good idea. Why not?

1. It treats the Bible chapters as vitamin pills rather than the feast that they are. That is, it creates a sense of “balance” without encouraging readers to really savour the taste of the text as it flows.

2. It hinders the reader from reading the text in context. In a busy life it is hard enough to keep track of one flow of thought, let alone four.

3. It doesn’t encourage the reader to get “in the zone.” I don’t know anyone that would advocate reading four novels at a time, a page from each, each day. How much better to invite people beyond the first few minutes of distracted reading and into the zone where they get gripped by the narrative and don’t want to put it down?

4. It promotes a tick-box approach to Bible reading as a discipline, rather than an overt opportunity to engage with God’s heart as revealed in the epic revelation. So many people view Bible reading as a laborious discipline that they must force themselves to do. But the people I know who delight in the Bible tend to be people who devour it, rather than dipping into it.

Suggestion? Why not encourage and invite people to read the Bible aggressively and relationally, as if God has a personality and is personal. That is, by reading His Word with a passion to know Him, readers/listeners might get to know His personality and grow in their personal relationship with Him.

Perhaps it is worth pondering how to encourage people by enthusiastic invitation, rather than by affirming the “difficulty” and “trudgery” of “getting through the Bible” in a year or three. Here is a link to my friend Ron’s article on Bible reading – as “Bible presenters” lets be sure to be genuine Bible enthusiasts that do more than try to fire up the so-called disciplined wills of our listeners!

7 Tone Balances

December 8, 2011November 23, 2011 / Peter Mead / 2 Comments

The tone of our preaching is so important. Yet this is a balancing act. Seven “tones” to balance in biblical preaching:

1. Serious yet joyful – We handle the most serious of content in the most serious of circumstances. Yet we have more reason than any to have joy. It isn’t right for a biblical preacher to come across as flippant and silly, but neither is it right to come across as sombre and melancholic.

2. Textual yet relevant – We preach as inhabitants of two worlds: the world of the inspired text and the world of our listeners. It is possible for our tone to be too much in one or the other and for our preaching to be undermined as a result.

3. Contemporary yet genuine – We preach as fellow humans in the present situation. It is incarnational to not come across as a prophet who has been locked in a victorian time capsule. Yet we need to be genuine in this, no good pretending to be contemporary in ways we are not, people see through that.

4. Authentic yet appropriate – In a culture that increasingly craves authentic communicators, we must show the real us when we speak. Listeners don’t connect with plastic preachers. Yet we must be appropriate in what we share. Sometimes too much information undoes everything around it.

5. Welcoming yet exclusive – We preach as those who represent the welcoming spreading graciousness of Christ, yet as those who stand with Him in His claim to absolute exclusivity. We can’t be welcoming in a way that offers hope to those on a hopeless path.

6. Warm yet warning – We preach as ambassadors for Christ. He wasn’t stone cold like some preachers are, Christ was compelling and warm. Yet the self-righteous found Christ to be one who warned, rather than warmed them.

7. Winsome yet real – Maybe this has been covered already, but let me reinforce it. We speak as representatives of a God who seeks to woo the wounded. Our preaching tone should be winsome and Christlike, but that won’t work if it is mere catchphrases that aren’t supported by a deeply stirred reality.

When Delivery Grates – Part 2

December 7, 2011November 23, 2011 / Peter Mead / Leave a comment

Yesterday we thought about shifting weight between our standing legs and moving our eyes like we are watching a tennis match. There are two more aspects of delivery that can really become distracting. Not if we do them once or twice, but once they become repetitious habits:

3. Simon Says Touch Your Face, And Again

Some preachers get into a semi-rhythmic obsession with some sort of facial touch. I know it is probably not proper to touch your face at any point, but let’s be realistic, we probably will. But if it becomes a repeated thing, listeners will get distracted. I have a year round issue with allergies, so an itchy nose is a regular challenge when preaching. Others seem to have itchy glasses, or ears that need stretching, or disappearing teeth that need confirmation of still being present, or a rebellious beard that needs to be kept calm. A movement repeated will mean listeners distracted.

4. Let’s Play Charades!

Whatever you call the game, you’ve probably played it. Words not allowed, nor noise, just gestures. And if the guessers don’t guess it, what do we do? Repeat the gesture. It’s like shouting the same thing louder through our hands. It doesn’t tend to work, but if you do it when preaching, it will grate.

Any repeated hand motion will be consciously or subconsciously noticed by at least some of your listeners. There are so many, and actually, all of them are fine. But any of them repeated will be an issue. There’s the spider on a wall mirror, the random point, the extended fist point with pen gesture (sometimes called the fishing rod cast off), the let me hand my words to you gesture, the elbows stuck to your hips T-Rex impression, or the tension in the hands werewolf, or the dead arm, or the Perspex screen around the waist stopping the hands coming above, or below it. There’s the fig leaf stance, or the unscrewing a light bulb motion, or the wringing out all moisture from the hand, or the . . . we could go on, but you get the point. It would be possible to get all these into one message and people wouldn’t notice. But get stuck on one of them for a few repetitions and they will certainly notice, and be distracted.

When Delivery Grates

December 6, 2011November 23, 2011 / Peter Mead / Leave a comment

Sometimes preachers will do something that grates on the listeners. It is risky to write this post. What if someone in your congregation reads it and stops listening to you? Actually, the truth is that if they’ve noticed your habit, they have probably stopped listening fully already.

Here’s the vital truth to grasp before we get into specifics. The problems I’m going to touch on today are problems when they become repetitious. As a communicator you can get away with a lot of things once, but almost anything becomes a problem when it starts repeating. And the good news is that you don’t have to avoid ever doing these things – we all do some of them, maybe all of them now and then. Just work to reduce or remove the one that you are repeating.

1. Weight Shifting and Continual Motion

Some preachers get into a rhythmic weight shifting between feet, rocking back and forth in a hypnotic pattern that may send listeners to sleep . . . or it may drive them mad and make them want to scream, “stop moving!” Either way, they’re not listening properly. Maybe you don’t just shift back and forth between feet, but you move, you prowl, you prance, you never stand still. You’re like a caged and agitated lion threatening to escape, and your listeners, once they notice this, will become like people who long to escape (or mentally already have). Watch out for repetitious weight shifting and foot motion. Standing like a statue isn’t a good idea, but nor is moving like a perpetual motion toy.

2. Tennis Match Eye Motion

Some preachers get into a rhythmic tennis gaze that shifts back and forth between two focal points. Maybe like a very famous US politician, you’ll pull off the four-second double teleprompter motion so that many find it natural. Or probably you’ll have listeners wondering what is so fascinating about the clock in that corner and the top of the door over to their left. There is a third point of reference that moves this out of the tennis analogy, and that is the return to the notes, but the problem remains. The best way to avoid giving the impression that you are swapping between two focal points over the heads of the listeners is to stop swapping between two focal points over the heads of the listeners. Don’t pretend to make eye contact. Make eye contact. And if you have more than two listeners, they may never get the tennis sensation again!

New Online Preaching Resource: Help Needed To Spread the Word

December 5, 2011December 5, 2011 / Peter Mead / Leave a comment

I decided to start a facebook community page associated with this site. The link is facebook.com/biblicalpreaching.net

Here’s my thinking:

1. It can be an informal conversation between preachers and those who care about preaching.

2. It can be a place to link to helpful material beyond this site, and including this site.

3. It can help to spread the word about the value of the ministry of biblical preaching through a different network of people.

4. The informal conversations and comments there can feed into content for this site.

Here’s my request:

1. Would you help spread the word about it by clicking on this link and liking the page (this will help it get suggested to others as facebook sees it being liked by more people).

2. Would you help spread the word by linking to it with a comment on facebook and/or twitter (and any other means you have…perhaps direct message to preachers you know, or an email, or snail mail…telegram?)

Thanks so much for your part in this blog, I hope the associated facebook community can help to make it better and more helpful.