Choosing to Preach Discussion
#8 - Christ-ian Preaching
Posted by Kent Anderson on August 26, 2006 19:08
Must every sermon focus on Jesus Christ? Is it appropriate to preach without mentioning the gospel if the text itself does not allude to it? If so, what would make the sermon explicitly Christian?
(from page 64)
Replies
re: #8 - Christ-ian Preaching
Posted by George Bedlion on Dec. 03, 2007 at 00:29
I think scripture does show that Jesus didn’t always teach about Himself or what he had to do on the cross. So I don’t think every sermon needs to have an explicit message focused solely on Jesus Christ and the gospel. With that said, Christ is the reason we preach and the bible is usually expressing ideas of how humans can turn there hearts back to the Lord and follow him. If a text is focusing on an idea not directly focusing on the gospel message than be faithful to that text and that message. Preachers can’t always go for knock out gospel sermons, it would become redundant, boring, and probably everything the gospel is not supposed to be. So I guess we should hold the gospel close to our hearts and use every opportunity to share it- but let’s not force it where it doesn’t fit or suck out all its meaning through redundancy.
re: #8 - Christ-ian Preaching
Posted by Keith Whitaker on Sep. 18, 2007 at 22:25
Interestingly, this question comes up in a section of the book that deals with deductive preaching. As such, a primary concern of the preacher is the original meaning of the text. It seems to me that we run the risk of “abusing” some Old Testament scriptures when we try and interpret them in light of Jesus’ work on the cross. That being said, we must affirm that the “good news” extended to us through Jesus is the pinnacle of the Biblical narrative and the lens through which we come to more full understand God, and his actions throughout the rest of scripture. So, I guess my answer to the question is that in preparing for a sermon the preacher must be careful to exegete the text on its own terms, but in the delivery of the message, she or he must give special attention to how the message of Christ brings a clearer revelation of God’s truth.
re: #8 - Christ-ian Preaching
Posted by Andre VanWoerden on Feb. 16, 2007 at 17:15
I think it would be difficult to impose the gospel on any text of Scripture because ultimately all scripture finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Living in the post-resurrection era, our perspective on the Old Testament is shaped by our understanding of the work of Christ and every text has Christ-centered implications. However, I am not sure that every sermon must therefore focus on Jesus Christ or even mention the gospel.
re: #8 - Christ-ian Preaching
Posted by Michelle Young on Jan. 31, 2007 at 22:07
I believe that every sermon must be Christ-centered though not necessary in the form of explaining the full gospel story (the death and resurrection of Christ). This is because the Bible is all about the love of God for humanity displayed in Jesus Christ. We can’t apply living a Christ-centered life without talking about the power and grace of Jesus which is available to His children.
re: #8 - Christ-ian Preaching
Posted by Brad Olsen on Jan. 30, 2007 at 22:50
It seems to me that the power behind preaching, the power to change lives, lies in the power of the gospel message. And the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the heart of the gospel. If the "big idea" that forms the heart of the sermon is going to truly help people to hear from God, then it needs to somehow be shaped by the reality of the gospel.
re: #8 - Christ-ian Preaching
Posted by HeeJin Kim on Jan. 24, 2007 at 19:15
If a preacher were to talk about parables that have happened two thousand years ago, it would be hard for their listeners to relate to the sermons, causing them to stand afar like tourists. While the preachers must have Christ as the root of all their sermons, they should also choose deductive preaching and apply the Biblical texts into everyday life.