I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. | 2 Timothy 4:1–5
The art of preaching is not as simple as many people think. A pastor has to take into account the specific text that is being preached, the people that are listening, and the unique cultural implications. To preach the Word (as Paul exhorts Timothy to in the above) requires a careful balance of numerous variables that change week in and week out. Putting together a sermon takes work.
Even with all of this, the greatest hindrance to effective preaching comes in the form of expectation (what Paul calls itching ears). A pastor can not control how the sermon is heard. The idea of itching ears is often connected to theology: that people will search out a pastor who says what fits with their pre-determined view of the world. Just as big of an issue if the feel. People are looking for a pastor who helps them achieve their assumed need. Most often this means: does the application of the sermon resonate with my passions? The sermon is measured by its applicability; it is rated by whether or not it gives us what we were already looking for. That is not the purpose of preaching; the purpose of preaching is to reveal God to us.
Preaching through the Gospel of John is a good reminder that the Word of God is first and foremost a means of knowing God. It is about God, not about you. I ran across a quote a few weeks ago that referred to this:
“A sermon is by its very nature a revelation, not an exhortation.” –Theodore Parker Ferris
This does not mean that it does not exhort or that there is not application, but too often pastors are in such a hurry to get to marching orders that they bury the lead. Too often, the glory of God revealed in the grace of Jesus becomes part of the system by which we think we can save ourselves. The truth is: what we do is only important in response to what Jesus has already done. Anything good we bring to the table is at best a reflection of God’s goodness. We wander off into myths when we seek something more than the gospel; we develop ungodly passions when we believe that there is something apart from Him that will fulfill us.
This is why preaching grace is so necessary. To return again and again to who Jesus is and why His gift is so great forces us to move beyond what we think we need. When we are confronted with reality of sin and depravity the way that the Bible describes it, we are prepared to know the Savior. The proclamation of the revelation of Jesus is not only the main purpose of preaching, but it is also the most effective application. There is nothing that will have a greater affect on our lives than knowing God and seeing His love and care for His people.
If you ever leave a sermon thinking: all that pastor did was talk about Jesus! Be thankful that God has given you someone unwilling to scratch your itching ears. If you wonder: but what am I supposed to DO? Simply marvel at the fact that you have been invited into His great work. As we move into the Advent season, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus with anticipation, let me leave you with a quote from one of my favorite pastors, James Boice:
Begin by wondering – wondering at the fact that you have not suffered the just punishment of your sin, that God has loved you, that Jesus came and died for you, that God called you to faith in Himself when you were yet without hope of salvation, and that you are now God’s child and secure in His love. Continue by thinking upon these things. Ponder the great doctrines of the Christian faith – doctrines of the incarnation, atonement, grace, sanctification, heaven, perseverance, and others – so that you begin to grow strong in doctrine. Glorify and praise God for what you know. Sing God’s praises. Then, when you have done that and are qualified to speak, go back and tell others.