Preaching That Is Too Much Or Too Little

Here is one method to evaluate preaching.

When preaching the Bible, the preacher should help those listening to observe the text well, to interpret it correctly, and to apply it transformationally.

The Wrong Amount of Observation

Too much observation leads to history or culture lessons that are over-captivating or greatly boring.  This can be laborious and cause people to miss the point.

Too little observation leaves people wondering how the passage really connects with their lives, or confused as to its original setting.  This can make the Bible seem inaccessible or irrelevant.

The Wrong Amount of Interpretation

Too much interpretation leads to theological lessons that suspiciously exceed the reach of the text, or involve people in scholarly debates for which they are unprepared.  This can make people feel like the Bible is only for experts. 

Too little interpretation leaves people unsatisfied and often having more questions than when they entered.  This lack of explanation is neither faithful to the Word nor fair to the people of God.

The Wrong Amount of Application

Too much application leads to skepticism as to whether the Bible really teaches what the preacher says it does.  This often is not the preaching of the Word of God, but the preaching of the ideas of the preacher to get people to behave the way he hopes.

Too little application leaves people wondering what to do, how to think and without reliance upon the Holy Spirit for growth toward Christ-likeness.  This does not carry the true burden of the text to God’s people for consideration within their souls.

The Right Amounts of All Three

The right amount of observation will be enjoyable and helpful, illuminating the text for people in new ways.  The right amount of interpretation will explain the questions most people have and provide guidance for systematic biblical understanding.  The right amount of application will be challenging yet accessible, while at the same time bring hope for the future.

In addition, those who heard the message should be able to open their Bibles and easily re-preach the passage to themselves.  They should be able to make clear and concise observations.  They should be able to make the proper interpretive moves.  They should be able to personalize the application from the Spirit’s Word in the Spirit’s power.

Preaching this way will transform the lives of our congregations and impact the world!

Three Problems With The Marriage Analogy

Is joining a church like getting married? 

If so, then is leaving and joining another church like getting a divorce and being remarried?  Are there only certain circumstances in which it is allowed?

The Wrong Fit

The analogy between marriage and church membership is a terrible one to make, adhere to or promote.  Marriage is a unique covenant relationship, and it is too strong a bond to compare with belonging to a particular church, or any Christian organization.

It persists in many people’s thinking and pastors’ teachings, bringing unnecessary guilt and shame on those who are looking for another church, or even just thinking about it.  Certainly, there are many good reasons, and likewise many poor reasons, for changing churches.  But, that is another topic for another day.

Also, it can cause angst in pastors and deep pain in congregations when a pastor or staff member moves to another ministry.  This especially distressing because often it is God Himself who is moving His leader and servant to serve another congregation, or work elsewhere in advancing His Kingdom.

Three More Problems

As already alluded to, such an analogy creates burdensome expectations that are too heavy to carry.  Furthermore, because it is an overly intimate analogy it creates unhealthy and confused relationships.  

One problem is that separation is almost automatically seen as negative.  But the reality is that both people and congregations grow and change, and so do life situations.  Instead we should take delight in how God is uniquely at work in one another’s lives!

A second problem is that it can prevent healthy movement among Christians within the one universal Church.  Mobility should not be instinctively lamented or suspiciously evaluated.  Instead, we should prayerfully consider what great things God might be up to, and look joyfully to everyone’s future!

Another problem is that it often hinders the missional purpose of churches.  The analogy forces us toward an inward a focus.  We expect too much from one another in community, and spend a lot of time and resources managing our relating.  Instead, we should be more concerned about fulfilling our commission from Christ to go and make disciples among all the peoples of the world!

The Right Fit

In the end, unintentionally, the analogy cheapens the marriage covenant by suggesting it has an equal or near equal.  Each church is surely a covenant community, but not at the level of a marriage.  Let’s set people free with the realities of real life and biblical truth.

One more thing, this improper analogy denies the higher use of the analogy, the biblical and proper analogy is that the one universal Church is Christ’s bride.  The Lord Jesus would refer to Himself as the Bridegroom.  

The prophets made this comparison repeatedly, especially Hosea and Jeremiah.  The great mystery and parallels of God and His People, Christ and His Church and the husband and wife expounded in Ephesians 5.  

When Christ returns in glory, there will be the Marriage Supper of Lamb and His Bride in Revelation 19, and eternal joy and communion as mentioned in Revelation 21.

A Gospel Deprived Of The Gospels

When sharing the Gospel with people, we tend to spend too much time in the epistles and too little time in the Gospels.

Presentation Evangelism

Typically, we have a presentation prepared to give to someone or to a group of people.  It is logically structured and has Scripture verses to match our points. 

Most of the Bible quotations will come from the letters of the New Testament, and then a few from the Old Testament Law or prophets. When the Gospels are quoted it is limited to a sentence that makes a quick theological point.

This is a fine way to share the Gospel.  It is direct, succinct, simple and systematic.  And it makes the decision clear.  Though this approach works well in many settings, it is not always the best method to use.  

Missing Information

All around the world people are missing the story of Jesus Christ.  Most have never ever heard it, not even once.  And those who have, usually don’t remember much or very well, and need to hear it again.

From my experience, some of the most common questions are: Who was Jesus?  When and where did He live?  What kinds of things did He teach and do?  What is the meaning of the cross?  They want to hear stories.

Storytelling Evangelism

The four Gospels were written by the four Evangelists with evangelistic purposes in mind.  They were doing evangelism as they wrote their accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  And they even show examples of Jesus Himself doing evangelism.

Jesus rarely gave people straight answers, but answers that would challenge theological assumptions and lifestyle behaviors.  Even His speeches were structured to make people search more honestly for truth and righteousness, rather than supply answers.  

His style quickly separated people into two groups, those who wanted to follow Him, and those who would rather have nothing to do with Him.  But even those in this last group would remember what He taught them.

Choosing a Method

The presentation approach works extremely well with those people who are ready, or those who need a quick overview of Christianity.  The storytelling approach works better with those less ready, have little knowledge, or those who have little interest at all.  

Don’t always lay it all out early.  Valuable conversation might get lost.  Instead, select a story from the Gospel accounts to tell about Jesus.  Then ask questions.  Listen to the answers.  Give people time to think, process and ask further questions.  You already know the Gospel presentation, so relax and enjoy how the Spirit leads!

Many time you might find it best to combine the approaches.  If so, start with the stories.  Don’t assume people already know them.  Be careful not to let your Gospel be deprived of the Gospels.  It is the best part!

Going After The Other Nine

Many people cry out to God in their distress and ask for relief, even those who do not know Him.  God is a merciful God, and so He often answers their requests, and even in the very manner they asked from Him!

Thanks, But No Thanks

But what thanks does He most frequently get?  Is the thanks only a simple prayer, “thank you very much, God?”  Maybe He gets a good deed or two out of it, or a check for a few dollars sometimes.  Perhaps, a little more, as long as the feeling or memory lingers.  But, is that all God deserves?

Would not the proper response include a seeking hard after God, to know Him and serve Him?  God is constantly merciful to so many people.  But, so often, once people get what they want from Him, they discard whatever faith they had.

Why then is He still so merciful?  It is because God really is a very merciful, patient, kind, and forbearing God!

God’s acts of general mercy should point people to see the glory of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and worship Him, receiving from Him the best mercy of all—eternal salvation!

A Story from Luke

Luke shows us that God still acts mercifully today, and tells this story of the Ten Lepers hoping to lead many who have received God’s mercy to a true faith in Christ Jesus.

Luke 17:11–19 ESV “On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.””

The Tragedy of Getting Too Little

Luke challenges unbelievers to return to God like the Samaritan and receive more than just a few met needs, like the other nine lepers.  He challenges them to receive salvation in Jesus Christ the Lord.

When people get want they want from God, they mistakenly think it to be enough.  This might be a miraculous escape from danger, or special help for their sick child, or relief from intense financial pressures, or a myriad of other needs.  This is tragic, because there is so much more available to them from Jesus Christ.

We see such behavior all around us today.  People get healed or rescued, but never go to church to praise God and learn about Him.  Some of them even had made a vow to do this very thing if God answered their prayers!

Challenge the Unbelieving

Feel free to challenge people on how lightly thy may have treated God’s gifts of mercy, especially if you know their situation was recent.  This is yet another way to begin what might turn out to be a spiritually profitable conversation.  This obligates people to look back and see their ingratitude and hopefully their need for true faith in Christ.

Don’t let people abscond with God’s mercies without an engaging Gospel conversation!  Follow Luke’s example and go after those who act like the nine lepers.

God responds mercifully to so many who cry out to Him.  It is good to cry out to God in Jesus’ name for healing and for whatever one needs.  Jesus still responds to calls for mercy and then He still expects faith as the proper response.  

Pray with the Unbelieving

Almost everyone has cried out to God and received mercy from Him at some point in their life.  And we should encourage them to do so.  

Sometimes we shy away from this because we have a strange notion that unbelievers shouldn’t be praying to a God they don’t know or don’t really believe in, or that God doesn’t hear them or act on their behalf.  

Times of distress and crisis and weakness are wonderful opportunities to minister to people. We should display the same general compassion of our Lord Jesus.  Of course, we will also desire more than this for them – a faith leading to salvation.  And so, we will follow up with them with the specifics of the Gospel message.

Pray with unconverted and for them, for acts of mercy from God.  God is really a generous God, and people need to know this and see this.  Many people respond to this kind of ministry, and many actually come to a true God-glorifying faith in Jesus Christ!