Preaching that Transforms

Preaching has fallen on hard times. Attend a service in the current church culture in America and you may encounter Drama, Dance, Mime, Choreographed productions, Videos and the list goes on. There is a high probability that what you will NOT find is Preaching That Transforms.

There are those who would celebrate this condition. They would claim that preaching is an anachronistic endeavor no longer applicable or appropriate for the church of the 21st century. There are those who would claim to be "preaching", but what they are engaged in is a discussion about the Bible, but not the proclamation of the Truth claims of the text. My focus in this brief article is to champion the glorious art of preaching that God has used over the centuries to Transform His people - - preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2). To accomplish this end I offer the following definitions to guide our thinking.

•Preaching is "the communication of Truth through personality" (Phillips Brooks). Brooks described the ministry as "the noblest and most glorious calling to which a man can give himself."

•Transformation - is the objective and observable positive change in the life of a disciple into the character and likeness of Jesus Christ.

•Disciple - is a Believer who is becoming more like Christ. Their Transformation is consistent, objective and measurable. Transformation comes from the study of the Scriptures, applying the precepts and principles in daily living, and imitating the life of a disciple as modeled by mature believers. There is a deliberate and intentional effort to obey all that Christ has commanded (Matt. 28:19-20).

To accomplish transformation and make disciples fully formed in the image of Christ the following four (4) factors are essential to preach with an effectiveness that transforms.

Authority - the Bible must be recognized as the Word of God. It is His Special Revelation of His person and purpose in securing a people for Himself out of every tribe and tongue and nation. Christ actually accomplished redemption for sinners. He came to save. It is Truth Absolute.

History - The unfolding events recorded in the text are the Drama of Redemption. Every artifact unearthed by the archeologist confirms the accuracy and reliability of the text. Yes Virginia, there really is a Xerxes! The Bible is reliable history.

Exegesis - Words and their relationships give meaning to language. God chose to communicate with words. The Masoretic text of the OT and the Koine' Greek of the NT are dead languages, the meaning of words does not change. When we exercise the discipline to understand with accuracy what the text is saying, we know with certainty what God designed for our good and His glory.

Application - The preacher must guide the listener into an understanding of the historical context revealed in the text. He then must make proper and legitimate application of that revelation to life in the 21st century. Technology is exploding the parameters of scientific understanding. Cultures differ across geographic landscapes. However, the revelation of our God to mankind is binding upon all people for all time. It is the joyful privilege of the exegete to unfold the text and its application to life today. We lead God's people to obey all that Jesus has commanded and to find His Grace abundant and infinite.

"It is an enormous privilege to be called to preach in the contemporary world, to be a biblical expositor! For one then stands in the pulpit, with God's Word in his hands, God's Spirit in his heart, God's people before his eyes, waiting expectantly for God's voice to be heard and obeyed." (John Stott, Christian Preaching in the Contemporary World).

So pastor, what is your transformation quotient? God is our judge, but are you striving to communicate the Truth, the revelation of God that will bring about transformation in the flock entrusted to you?

What kind of faith do you have?

Jesus asked a probing and straight forward question. When He comes again, will he find this kind of faith on the earth? What kind? The kind that always prays and never acts badly in difficult circumstances. The kind that does not become weary, or tired of doing the work of the kingdom. The kind that holds out successfully. The kind that does not give up, does not become discouraged and does not lose heart!

So pastor, the question to you on this May morning is this -'What kind of faith do you have'? Peter, writing in the midst of some profoundly difficult circumstances, tells us that we have been birthed into a 'living hope'. The application is this pastor. God will use YOU as His instrument to bring Transformation to the ministry in which you serve. Are you willing to surrender and do what is required to see Transformation birthed where you serve, or, are you SKEPTICAL?

"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things 'above all that we ask or think --Andrew Murray

"To the man who prays habitually (not only when he feels like it-that is one of the snares of religion-but also when he does not feel like it) Christ is sure to make Himself real." --James Stewart

How would you rate your "Persistent Prayer" quotient on a scale of 0 -- 10?

Are you a hearer and a doer?

Well Pastor, do you hear and do what the Scripture says, or, are you a hearer only?

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matt. 7:24, ESV).

Jesus speaks with profound clarity. The one who hears and does builds a house that survives the ravages of the storm. By implication, if you merely hear, the house you build will be reduced to rubble by those same storms. There is a very important parallel in this account for local church ministry and for those who profess to be Leaders. The 'house' in this analogy represents the lives of God's people. Jesus has immense concern for these people. He has given Leaders the resources necessary to produce Transformation which is clearly the goal (Col. 1:28).

If you merely know about Transformation, but do not offer and implement the ministry structures and venues that God uses to produce the image of Christ in the lives of His people, you are forming sand castles rather than fortresses. You are focused on those things that matter least. You are producing disciples who are shallow, impotent and subject to every influence the culture throws at them (Eph. 4:11-16).

So what has been your experience? What would you share with other pastors about glorious victories or even lessons learned as you make this journey?