Perhaps you will recognize this pattern. You see a slide on the screen on Sunday morning, and a catchy graphic appears, with a title that alludes to some topic or theme, but you can't figure out what scripture that it pertains to.
Perhaps the topic references something that is current in popular culture. perhaps there is some motivational aspect to it. Perhaps it's some broad scriptural theme, such as "Worship" or "Thanksgiving."
In your heart you because you know that the sermon series will be based on the speaker's opinion, and reflect what books he's been reading (or writing) and not exposition of scripture. There'll be one minute of Scripture reading and 30+ minutes of talking about what the speaker thinks about how the topic relates to the scripture, and not how the Scripture itself relates to our lives.
This is topical preaching. It's the equivalent of preaching "because Jesus breathed, you should breathe to."
Sadly, the speaker may not recognize it, thinking that they are meaningfully sharing insights that the Lord has revealed in their deep time of study (which of course, as they are quick to allude to, is much deeper and more intense than yours).
Be encouraged. Breathe deep. Pray for patient endurance. Perhaps the music will lift you up today instead of the sermon.
If not, there's always sermon cloud.
No comments:
Post a Comment