PREACHING IN A NON-ROTE FASHION OR PREACHING WITH IMAGINATION...

PREACHERS OF JESUS CHRIST are not parrots. As close as they should stay to Holy Scripture, God has gifted them to put eternal truths in words of their own,  explaining the sacred truths and coining them in such a way as to be understandable to the listeners. This is not putting their words above Scripture but rather is the exercising of the gift of preaching/teaching imparted by God so as to make clear “the sense” of any given passage. In Ezra’s day it is said that, upon gathering the people and reading the Scriptures, “THEY (the teachers) GAVE THE SENSE, AND HELPED THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE READING” (Nehemiah 8:8). This gift when recognized and valued for what it is, requires teachers of the Word to so trust God that, after diligent study and prayer, they are not overly dependent upon notes and should rethink any inclination to merely read the message at time of delivery. Such dependency stilts not only the style of delivery but inhibits the soul and mind from being a ready tool of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit wants to be in full control of the messenger's mind controlling the formation of the thoughts and words to be uttered at the moment of preaching. This, of course, is different from the Divine process used in the authorship of the Scriptures themselves, but is akin to the anointing in 1 John 2:27, possessed by all believers, only especially tailored to the preaching experience.  A preacher who reads his sermons, even though a good reader and animated, over time becomes very predictable and singsong. (This latter word is defined as “monotonous rhythmical cadence, tone, or sound.) I'm not saying a reading preacher can't be used of God or controlled by the Holy Spirit to some extent (history, often positively so, informs us of this possibility), but I am saying that being glued to a manuscript can't help but serve as an inhibition to some degree of God's perfect ideal.

I once heard a preacher renown for Scripture memory. He had a fantastic gift to recite Scripture, verse after verse. It was most impressive except that, when he was finished, and, upon after-message reflection, I concluded that it was void of imparting “the sense of Scripture.” And, even though it was an amazing display of a gifted mind, my soul was craving the contemplation and practical significance of all those verses set forth. It was a stand-up display of a most gifted mind and the good content thereof, but it was not preaching. Preaching is the God-given ability to understand the truths of the Bible and to set them forth in an imaginative and life challenging way. All acceptable preaching is teaching but not all teaching is preaching. Teaching aims principally for the mind to inform it of truth. Preaching aims for the mind, of course, but also presses truth further to the stirring of the soul (the emotions) and the inciting of the soul to put what is learned into practice.

Historian George Marsden in a Wall Street Journal (March 23, 2016) extols the abilities of C.S. Lewis in writing. What he said about Lewis is applicable to preachers. Marsden said, “MERE CHRISTIANITY contains arguments enlivened with images, metaphors and analogies that capture the imagination. The Lewis of MERE CHRISTIANITY is the same as the Lewis of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. Imagination, he believed, was ‘the organ of meaning,’ even if reason was ‘the organ of truth.’

Marsden goes on to say, “Lewis’s first ambition had been to be a poet. It shows in his prose, where meaning is often conveyed through vivid analogies. Lewis writes that when God enters your life, he begins ‘to turn the tin soldier into a live man. The part of you that does not like it is the part that is still tin.’ He explains that becoming Christian isn’t an improvement but a transformation, like a horse becoming a Pegasus.”

Somehow, I think what Lewis masters in his writing preachers should apply to their preachments. True preaching emanates from the diligent study of the Bible (utilizing all the sound principles of hermeneutics), with truths processed by the mind under the illuminations of the Holy Spirit and messages prepared prayerfully but with deep thought processes that specialize in proper presentational order for the delivery thereof, and the inclusion of appropriate illustrations from the Bible and explanations that search for imaginative ways of setting forth the precious truths of any given passage of Holy Scripture.

Jesus did this when instead of merely saying if you believe in Me you are changed within, declared the truth in this manner, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” And if that wasn’t imaginative enough, He proceeds to say, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37,38). Think how relevant, colorful and stirring that was! Who wouldn’t want to lift the cup and drink?

Dick D. Christen

NOT "LOOK AT ME" BUT RATHER "LOOK AT THAT"

Humorously, someone once remarked, "Egotism is obesity of the head." It is true that most of us have too big an appetite for 'appreciation.' In subtle ways (and in ways not so subtle) we fish for complimentary attention.

Christians, and especially Christian leaders, should deeply accept the fact that there is no spirit in man more opposed to the Spirit of God than the spirit of pride. The Holy Spirit is here to direct attention to Jesus Christ, not to the person entrusted with announcing Jesus' wonders.

Since 2001 C.S. LEWIS' renown book MERE CHRISTIANITY has sold 3.5 million copies in English alone. Historian George Marsden believes that one of the great strengths of Lewis' masterpiece was "his ability to stand aside and point toward his subject - rather than himself." He quotes Lewis as once saying "that a poet should not be saying "look at me," but rather "look at that." And so, in commenting on Lewis' skills as an author, Marsden goes on to remark that "Lewis acts like a guide on the journey from unbelief to faith. He points people to see, as he has, the time-tested beauty of God's love in Jesus Christ. Not everyone will see the beauty or be persuaded. But those who get a true glimpse will be drawn in by its power."

The Apostle Paul, great servant that he was, humbly said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." LOOK AT HIM, EXALT HIM, POINT TO HIM, LOVE HIM, COME TO HIM! God is not out to hurt our pride, He's out to kill it!

Dick Christen

CROSS BEARING - JESUS AND YOU?

With God-given grace and faith, I do accept the 'on the cross' redemptive work of Christ which He bore for me. That happened long ago and I didn't feel the pain. And so I'm saved. "Saved by the blood of the crucified One..." What challenges me now is to daily take up my cross, die to self, sin and the world and live for Jesus and others. This is the cross He gives to me. My old self does not want to do this. I DO NOT want to suffer the inevitable pain entailed. Few do. But, as His disciples WE MUST because it is intrinsic to being His!

Luke 9:23
"And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

Dick D. Christen

THE BIRTH MARKS OF A TRUE BELIEVER IN JESUS....

                  BIRTHMARKS OF A REAL CHRISTIAN

1 JOHN (various passages)

A birthmark is any minor disfigurement (a nevus) or blemish on a person’s skin at birth. Jokingly we may say it is proof that a person was born. Not funny is the fact that many, in fact multitudes, think they are born again or true Christians, when, in fact they are not. It is important, therefore, to put ourselves to the test (s) to make sure we are indeed “in Christ Jesus.” The Apostle Paul challenges us accordingly,

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

IN JOHN’S FIRST EPISTLE SEVEN SUCH POINTS OF PROOF ARE SET FORTH:

1.   THE TEST OF DELIGHTING IN GOD’S WORD (1 John 2:3-6)

“And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. ⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

2.   THE TEST OF DOING RIGHTEOUSNESS (1 John 2:29; 3:7)

“If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” (1 John 2:29)

“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:7)

3.   THE TEST OF DETESTING SIN (1 John 3:9; 5:18)

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9)

          The AMP translation clarifies: “No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.” (1 John 3:9)

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:18)

          The AMP translation clarifies: ¹⁸ “We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].” (1 John 5:18)

4.   THE TEST OF DESIRING GOD’S PEOPLE (1 John 3:10-11, 14, 19; 5:1)

¹⁰ “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ¹¹ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 John 3:10-11)

5.   THE TEST OF ACCURATELY DEFINING JESUS (1 John 5:1)

¹ “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

6.   THE TEST OF OVERCOMING THE WORLD (1 John 5:4, 5)

⁴ “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)

7.   THE TEST OF DISCIPLINING SELF OR THE TEST OF SENSING THE KEEPING, UNFAILING LOVE OF GOD (1 John 5: 18 – A DIFFICULT VERSE TO TRANSLATE)

      KJV:   ^"We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:16-18)
        ESV:  "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.' (1 John 5:18)

         Christians don't sin in the sense they relish it. They do "not keep sinning" with a 'don't care attitude.'  They are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, they do not enjoy sinning, they are bothered, they seek deliverance, etc.  They possess a new found sense of holiness and 'keep themselves' holy before God, or, as Jude challenges, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 1:21). This very conviction and uncomfortableness with sin, all of which true believers most certainly feel within, interestingly assures us that we belong to Him!

         

A.T. ROBERTSON: “1Jn 5:18 We know (οιδαμεν). As in 3:2,14;5:15,19-20. He has "ye know" in 2:20;3:5,15. Sinneth not (ουχ αμαρτανει). Lineal present active indicative, "does not keep on sinning," as he has already shown in 3:4-10. He that was begotten of God (ο γεννηθειϛ εκ του θεου). First aorist passive articular participle referring to Christ, if the reading of A B is correct (τηρει αυτον, not τηρει εαυτον). It is Christ who keeps the one begotten of God (γεγεννημενοϛ εκ του θεου as in 3:9 and so different from ο γεννηθειϛ here). It is a difficult phrase, but this is probably the idea. Jesus (Jn 18:37) uses γεγεννημαι of himself and uses also τηρεω of keeping the disciples (Jn 17:12,15;Rev 3:10).”

Dick D. Christen