T. David Gordon, professor of Religion and Greek at Grove City College, is the author of the short but penetrating book entitled Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers. It’s a book that both encourages and challenges. I finished it yesterday and have been mulling over its contents ever since. I’m a product of my generation it is without doubt. I grew up an avid TV watcher and still gravitate toward what we used to call the “boob tube” (now with flat panel TV’s that descriptive phrase is dated). Gordon argues that few pastors today preach really good sermons. Many are products of this technological age and thus are more image than text driven. He believes most sermons preach moralism, are “how-to” sermons (be a good father, husband, etc.), are introspective sermons, or preach only social change.
Gordon says that what is most needed in this or any age is Christ centered preaching. Gordon says that when Jesus exhorted Peter to feed His sheep in John 21, he and all pastors do so by “proclaiming the fitness and competence of Christ in His mediatorial work.” Gordon goes on to say: “When we ‘feed’ God’s flock, we feed their faith. We nourish the part of them that has the need and capacity to rest on Christ and have confidence in his work of redemption.” (p.74) Oh that I might be a pastor that truly feeds Christ’s lambs in just that way Lord’s Day after Lord’s Day!
Let me finish with this great quote from Why Johnny Can’t Preach that is along these lines:
I believe that as people’s confidence in Christ grows, they do, ordinarily and inevitably, bear fruit that accords with faith. Thus, there is no need for some trade-off here, or some alleged dichotomy suggesting that we need to preach morality if we are to have morality. No; preach Christ, and you will have morality. Fill the sails of your hearers’ souls with the wind of confidence in the Redeemer, and they will trust Him as their Sanctifier, and long to see His fruit in their lives. Fill their minds and imaginations with a vision of the loveliness and perfection of Christ in His person, and the flock will long to be like Him. Impress upon their weak and wavering hearts the utter competence of the mediation of the One who ever lives to make intercession for them, and they will long to serve and comfort others, even as Christ has served and comforted them. (p.78)
The 9Marks blog has had an interesting discussion going on humor in the pulpit. I thought THIS post captured some of my own approaches to humor and preaching. Alistair Begg has said that a preacher ought to bethemselves and not preach themselves. I hope what humor comes across in my own preaching is me being myself as opposed to writing a stand up act and disguising it as preaching. What do you think of the place of humor in the pulpit?
Interesting quote from the first chapter of Michael Horton’s soon to be released book, Christless Christianity:
What would things look like if Satan really took control of a city? Over a half century ago, Presbyterian minister Donald Grey Barnhouse offered his own scenario in his weekly sermon that was also broadcast nationwide on CBS radio. Barnhouse speculated that if Satan took over Philadelphia, all of the bars would be closed, pornography banished, and pristine streets would be filled with tidy pedestrians who smiled at each other. There would be no swearing. The children would say, “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am,” and the churches would be full every Sunday . . . where Christ is not preached.
What is Barnhouse’s point? Where Christ is not preached, religion is preached. Where Christ is not preached self righteousness reigns. The Evil One would be very content for people to trust in their own morality, their own record and not flee to Christ. Barnhouse reinforces the idea that Christians not only repent of their sin but also of their self-righteousness.
This past week I attended the Ligonier Pastor’s Conference in Orlando, Fl. This was an excellent week of fellowship and encouragment. We heard multiple times from R.C. Sproul, Sinclair Ferguson (Sr. Pastor of First Presbyterian of Columbia, SC), and Steve Lawson (Sr. Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist in Mobile, Al). In addition to preaching/teaching there were several Q & A sessions- which are always a highlight. We were fed extremely well- I’m hesitant to get on the scale! We were also housed quite comfortably in the Marriott of Lake Mary. A particular highlight for me was to spend those days with my best friend from seminary, Ty Blackburn. Ty pastors the Providence Church in Duluth, GA where he has been for 15 years. Ty and his wife, Patti, were our neighbors at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS and Connie and I were especially close to them both.
What did I learn? I reviewed my notes just this morning. I think the main thing I came away with was to keep the main thing the main thing. What do I mean by that? What was continually stressed was to preach the gospel faithfully through the regular exposition of Scripture.Read the rest of this entry »
Not much on this blog in the way of insightful posts, I realize. Recently all that’s been given are links to stuff I like. Well, here we go again. R.C. Sproul is interviewed by Michael Horton for the White Horse Inn. Check it out:
One of our commitments here at HLPC is to expository preaching. This flows from our commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Bible. J.I. Packer gives a great definition of what we mean by expository preaching that you can read HERE.
The 9Marks blog has had an interesting discussion going on humor in the pulpit. I thought