Proclaimer Blog
Well known stories trip us up
I'm enjoying studying 1 Samuel at the moment. It's stretching me as I think about preaching and encouraging my heart as I reflect on the wonder of the king Yahweh has given us – his own Son!
And yet I'm convinced that familiar stories can often trip us up. Take David and Goliath (probably pronounced, according to my Hebrew lexicon, Gal-yat, but try selling that one to your congregation!).
Go on, admit it. This is the picture you imagine.
Here's little David in Saul's oversized armour. It's a lighter moment in the story and heightens the amazing faith that David displays alongside the victory he will win.
But is that what the text says? All the way through David is described as young, but not small. And not even Saul would have given him his armour to wear if he were this big. He's not stupid. And what does the text say about the armour? It says that David "tried walking around, because he was not used to [it]. 'I cannot go in these' he said, 'because I am not used to them.' So he took them off." (1 Sam 17.38-39)
It's a good example of where (dare I say it?) Sunday School familiarity as rather infantized the story. David is not portrayed as a comedy stooge who comes good, but the obedient son who alone understands that "this uncircumcised Philistine…defies the armies of the living God" (1 Sam 17.26). This is the defeat of Yahweh's enemy by the one whom Yahweh has chosen to be king.
Gloriously, it's still amazing to teach the right truths when we mis-represent the text. But there's no need, really. Watch out for these traps. The answer is always in careful study of the text.
Proclaimer Blog
Teaching Days: South West (Bath) and Sussex (Haywards Heath)
We've two of our one day training events coming up soon – one long running and the other a new venture for 2014. These one day events are designed to equip those who preach and teach from time to time: perhaps elders in churches or small group leaders. There's precious little targeted training for such people to be faithful Bible teachers and we want to help.
- We're visiting Bath at the invitation of the South West Gospel Partnership on 15 February. Tim Ward, our Cornhill Associate Director, will be leading a day on Teaching 2 Peter. The training will take place at St Bart's Church Centre.
- Then the show hits Haywards Heath with the Sussex Gospel Partnership on 15th March. The training will be at ChristChurch. I'll be leading a day on Teaching the prophets, something many of us find difficult.
We'd love to see you at one of these if you live within reach of the area. Spread the word amongst your churches. Why not, as some do, send along your church preaching teams? Both days are low cost (£15) and should set you up for developing the preaching gifts you or those in your church have. We look forward to seeing you there. Book here.
Proclaimer Blog
The preacher’s new year’s resolutions #10
I will avoid preachers’ licence
Let me tell you a story. I was walking down the street the other day…. Only it’s not your story, it’s someone else’s. Or, what about this: this week, as I was witnessing to my neighbour… Only, you didn’t. Call preacher’s licence what it is – untruth. Let’s be honest in the pulpit about ourselves and our lives. Do not feel the need to concoct stories to make you look better. Tell the truth and preach God’s word fearlessly. #
Resolved: I will avoid preacher’s licence
Proclaimer Blog
Biblical counselling… for leaders
The Changing Hearts conference is in its second year and is great for church members, workers, leaders, speakers and so on to learn about biblical counselling and how it ought to work in a church. But the reality is that some church leaders are getting left behind. People in our churches are excited about what they are reading, but we're still to catch up. That's why a day for church leaders with David Powlison off the back of the upcoming Saturday conference is an excellent idea. It's on the following Monday (17 March 2014) at All Souls Langham Place. Cost is very reasonable £10. More information and booking here.
Proclaimer Blog
The preacher’s new year’s resolutions #9
I will be faithful to what the passage actually says
It’s just too tempting, isn’t it to add in your little bugbear. You can crow bar it in. No one will notice. In fact, they rather like a little pointed vitriol from the pulpit. They like to see a bit of spark and the chance to bash all the usual suspects. Never mind whether there is legitimate line from the passage. And that sort of sermon will solicit plenty of “good sermon, vicar” comments at the end. You’ve give them what they want, or at least what you want. No. It’s God’s word and these are God’s people. You are God’s servant.
Resolved: I will be faithful to what the passage actually says
Proclaimer Blog
Marriage and ministry. Really?
To be perfectly frank, it doesn't always seem that marriage and ministry are easy bedfellows. Marriage is hard enough anyway, without the extra pressure that ministry can bring to bear. And for those starting out in either marriage or ministry (or both), it can seem a daunting task – one we know we need to get right, but one which is actually hard to practically plan for.
That's why we've planned a 24 hour stopover for married couples in ministry with a particular focus on those who are younger. We've left that open ended for you to decide whether it's you or not! Either way, our time with Wallace and Lindsay Benn is designed to see that marriage and ministry, far from being uneasy bedellows, are wonderfully complimentary. Each serves the other.
The dates are 18-19 March at the Oasts in Sussex. Just 24 hours away together which we hope will go some way to setting you up for a lifetime of both marriage and ministry. With so many ministry marriages failing or under significant pressure, it is worth the time investment to get this right now.
And get a night away together. What's not to like?
Space is limited (these are deliberately small conferences). You can book here.
Proclaimer Blog
The preacher’s new year’s resolutions #8
I will pray my sermon for myself
You liar! You say to your congregation “Of course, I have preached this to myself first.” It rolls off the tongue. But it is untrue. You have spent the week thinking about all the people in the church who need to hear this message, but you have neglected your own heart. Take out the plank, brother! Make sure that as you prepare the sermon, you really do preach it to yourself. The test is whether it is shaping your prayers for yourself or not.
Resolved: I will pray my sermon for myself
Proclaimer Blog
The preacher’s new year’s resolutions #7
I will not work on my sermon on Saturday night
It’s been a busy week. And there’s always something more I can work on. So Saturday night comes around, that most precious of times, and I lock myself in my study and I work and work on my message for the next day. At 2am I crawl into bed beside my wife who mutters, “What time is it?” to which I respond, “oh, not late….”
Mr Preacher, you need the discipline to work on your sermon before Saturday night and then the courage to put it to bed knowing preaching is ultimately a spiritual task. You need a good night’s rest before the exacting task of preaching God’s word to God’s people.
Resolved: I will not work on my sermon on Saturday night.
Proclaimer Blog
The preacher’s new year’s resolutions #6
I will study the passage before opening a commentary
I am currently studying 1 Samuel and I have some wonderful commentaries. This book is particularly richly served with the NICOT volume (Tsumura) and the Apollos volume (Firth) particularly strong. And oh! The temptation to turn first to the commentary as though I’m sitting in one of their lectures taking copious notes. The temptation to allow them to form my opinions rather than working on the text myself, seeing patterns, asking questions – and using the commentaries as a help and check. This is the way to let the word do its work in me.
Resolved: I will study the passage before opening a commentary
Proclaimer Blog
The preacher’s new year’s resolutions #5
I will let someone trusted give me some feedback
How is your preaching, Mr Preacher? I don’t just mean content. I mean also style. How does it go down with people in the congregation? I mean, is it the right level? Can people understand? Is it well and appropriately illustrated? Is it engaging? Do you talk too fast? Is your delivery laboured? This is the kind of on-the-spot feedback you need, and you need someone to give it to you. Do not so set yourself above the congregation that you are unable (and the congregation feel unable) to participate. Find a fellow leader, a young person, a new Christian and ask them for some input.
Resolved: I will let someone trusted give me some feedback