Preaching in Context

Dear Pastors

In Introduction To Preaching (or Preaching 101) we learnt that the more relevant a topic is the greater the focus and concentration by the audience and therefore the better the learning. In other words the average Christian is very interested to hear what the Bible has to say about the issues that they face and are living with and through and/or the issues they are thinking about. If you want to see a really good example of this go and check out Saddleback Church. In my opinion Rick Warren is a master at preaching relevantly. He is very knowledgeable and sensitive to the cultural context in California where he lives and what his people are dealing with.

Armed with this understanding I asked a few Christian friends and family recently what topics they would like to have heard talked about over the last eight weeks. I added in a bit of reading and voila I have come up with a few suggestions.

1. “Anxieties - Cast Don’t Carry.” 1 Peter 5:1-11.The big idea here is that anxiety, worry and ‘anxieties cousin’ fear are normal, God given and to be expected in uncertain times. Good fear propels us into action. Bad fear debilitates us. So when ‘bad’ worry and fear overwhelms me how can I deal with it? What did Jesus mean when he said ‘do not worry’?
2. “Redundancy – It’s not about You!” Ephesians 2:10. The big idea here is that redundancy correctly understood is NOT about a person being terminated (or made redundant) but rather a job or a position disappearing. A person is never redundant. In fact a person can’t be made redundant. A person has skills, abilities, experience and an education that cannot be made redundant. If that is true the individual whose job has disappeared is a ‘person of worth and value’ and God has something already prepared for you where your skills etc can be gainfully employed.
3. “Slowing and Simplicity.” One of the common remarks during lockdown and immediately after it was, ‘I loved the simpler and slower pace of life’. So right here is a sermon or two. Modelled after the life of Jesus it is reasonable to conclude that life is best when it is simple, measured and slow….yes slow. Modern life has a lot to answer for. Fast living damages your body, your soul and your relationships.
4. “Is the Pandemic God’s Judgement?” This may need two or three sermons as you explore the issue of a good God, of judgement(s), of sickness in general and the coronavirus in particular. And then there is the whole subject of how God deals with sin upon the earth. Is there such a thing as God’s punishment?
5. “I love you but I don’t like you.” The lockdown forced us to be together 24/7. That was a test on our family relationships. Some of us passed the test with flying colours others of us didn’t. So, here is an opportunity to remind and encourage our people to be kind, to bear with one another and above all forgive one another.
6. “Did you tell me the truth?” Personally I have been staggered at the number of conspiracy theories on the loose and just as staggered at how gullible so many Christians are. In this sermon you can deal with: What is truth, Jesus as The Truth and the freedom that comes with buying into the truth as opposed to buying into a lie.

I hope this might give you some ‘juice’ for high interest, engaging and powerful sermons going forward.

Blessings

Alan

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.