How the Scandal of Preaching Will Reach Our Postmodern World

Show the 1977 movie “Jesus of Nazareth” it shows his mission and life very well.

Absolutely correct. Pounding the pulpit with the Word of God, Bible thumping, is “in your face” conflict with sin. Preach it! This is the command to speak truth to an angry crowd of liberals who do not want to hear the truth.
Sure, conservatives need to hear it too. But liberals are damned to perdition for their allegiance to satan.
Preach and bring fire and brimstone to the feet of the listeners. Fill their hearts and minds with the fear of hell. Make them squirm. Give no quarter to the sinner. Take away all his hidey holes and bring him naked and frightened into the terrifying presence of an angry God.
Find one preacher who can preach his listeners into the fiery pit and the restoration of our nation will begin.

Too much coffee?

People might prefer to sit at home on a Sunday morning and listen to a sermon on the web. But, that does not capture what preaching is intended to be. Preaching is a corporate enterprise that takes place when the people of God are gathered together. In effect, preaching is the team meeting when the coach gives the big pep talk. Such things cannot happen individually. They must happen as a group.

And when preaching happens as a group, the entire enterprise is (rightly) taken out of our control. We cannot so easily change the channel or shut off the iPod. We are drawn into an event that is larger than ourselves. We are being drawn into the very body of Christ where preaching finds its proper home.

Thus, preaching is anti-individualistic. It directly challenges the postmodern sentiment that all I need is me, my Bible, and Jesus. It forces us to recover a higher ecclesiology.

Amen!!

Too much Jonathan Edwards.

Too much Jonathan Edwards.

You have not heard of Jonathan Edward's preaching style, have you?.

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The preaching style of Jonathan Edwards was unique because not only was he nearsighted but he also prepared every word of his sermons in advance. These two facts together caused Edwards to have to read his manuscript very close to his face during a sermon, and in doing this he would have read word for word from start to finish. Overall, a pastor of the Congregational church and a profound scholar devoted to his study, Jonathan Edwards would have given very in depth sermons.

Edwards had been preaching in Northampton, Massachusetts for many years with average pastor results, but eventually his preaching caused a surprising response. The point is that Edwards dedicated himself to his work, and he did not quit when he found himself to be only average in his practice. Overall, even though Edwards did not have particularly evoking sermons, eventually his congregation began experiencing emotional outbursts.

An observation regarding the work of Edwards is that his services had not been marked by the continual show of emotion, but instead the services would have highlighted a single experience leading believers to study the scripture and to much greater devotion. The shouting for joy or the weeping in repentance would have marked Edwards effect in stimulating the great awakening. Overall, all of the diligent work that Edwards did in preparing his many sermons eventually thus had a great gain. Some may look at the preaching of Jonathan Edwards in its style and realize that without God directly working in people's lives, the preaching of Jonathan Edwards would have been without any impact at all. The work of Edwards was impacting because the power of God made it impacting. Why God chose to make Edwards an impacting pastor when he did is really just a question regarding God's choice and preferences.

http://voices.yahoo.com/jonathan-edwards-first-great-awakening-8057746.html

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Nor have you a copy of his book "On Revival" as I have, do you? The written word proclaims very convicting Truth, but does not provoke a response of awe and fear, as did his unspectacular proclamation, as those who observed Edwards claimed. his delivery was effective because it was spiritually constructed, spoken, and received if God opens one's heart. Preaching is not meant as an oratorical exercise. In spite of that, vocal delivery is particularly impressive for those whose skill set does not comprise reading well (or at all), eh?

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by The (Spoken) Word (=ρηματος; pronounced hray-mah-tos) of God" (Rom. 10:17). The Spoken Word is the Sword of The Spirit (Eph. 6:17), which is not your printed Bible (as most mistakenly conclude).

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was not delivered as a thunderous, raging torrent of passion, but as a still, small, humble convicting statement of spiritual Bible truth, as if someone were whispering a piercing truth close to your ear, "I'm sorry, but you're dying, sir."

"Through faith, we comprehend that the ages were formed by God's ρηματι (Spoken Word) . . ." (Heb. 11:3a).

"It stands written: 'Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every ρηματι (utterance) that pours forth out of the Mouth of God' " (Mt 4:4b,c,d; see Deut. 8:3).

When yielded to and controlled by the Spirit, does not the preacher proclaim Scripture as a herald, as with the voice of God?

If you want someone to become acquainted with the Savior, tell him, why don't you merely hand him a tract without a comforting explanation?

That's preaching.

Correction:

. . . ~~why~~ don't ~~you~~ merely hand him a tract without a comforting explanation?.

. . . don't merely hand him a tract without a comforting explanation.

Sorry --

Show the 1977 movie “Jesus of Nazareth” it shows his mission and life very well.

Ah, let me very humbly suggest that a movie is not a real verbal experience with a real person who has a real relationship with Jesus, and is telling you about it, using the Bible to confirm that this is for everyone.

Respectfully --

You presume too much. I studied Edwards and the Great Reawakening for 10 years through 3 seminaries.

True, but have you seen the film?

You presume too much. I studied Edwards and the Great Reawakening for 10 years through 3 seminaries.

Then I do humbly apologize for presuming too much about your background, as well as for my take on the slant of your comment on Edwards, if I misinterpreted it.

Though of a little lower altitude in knowledge of Edwards' prowess in contending for The Faith, I have always been impressed with the effect that God has produced through him and others like him.

I had presumed your comment to be a claim that Edwards' style was bombastic, rather than meek. With your advantage in this, is what I offered as an observation of his style as reported by his hearers wrong? I did really like thoughts in the article posted, and I trust you did, too.

With respect from a Methodist PK saved at the age of 34 in 1971 (77th birthday tomorrow).

True, but have you seen the film?

The answer is "No," but I'll qualify that: I have deliberately stayed away from visual art devices that purport to picture the person of Jesus, and which supposedly illustrate how He acted. My basis is application of Exodus 20:4-6 clarified by Hebrews 1:3-4.

My view is that no sinful human can adequately represent Him without marring my perception of what He might have looked like and how He might have acted, by supplanting what my imagination makes of the Scriptures I read and ponder on. That's not a particular criticism, just an observation and a preference.

However, in that vein I do not permit even, say, a print of Sallman's "Head of Christ, or Ciseri's appealing "Ecce Homo" in my home. I do not want to make someone else's vision of Him mine, except that recorded in the Bible.

Bless you brother. I have always acknowledged that the power of God’s judgement is best expressed quietly and gently. Burrowing into a seared conscience is best done with a soft hand. The power of the Word is such that it cuts deep and true, piercing to the soul.
One can speak of God’s wrath wiith awe or one can attempt to express wrath. The latter always creates a defensive mode precluding the penetration of the spirit.
Yes, I am very much in agreement that a soft voice has greater power when it expresses the Holy Spirit than does a bombastic basso profundum filled with the pretense of the preacher.
I too was a pk saved at 5yrs old by the blood of the Lamb in the quiet of my evening bedroom, alone with the Lord. I felt washed clean even before I understood its Biblical reference. I have walked with my God since my earliest childhood.
The world, and especially the denominational church has been my enemy. I have been cursed and defamed by a Methodist bishop. Through trials and terrors my Father has remained steadfast, protecting me from the snares of this world.
My earthly father was the inspiration for knowing my Heavenly Father. Dad died before I was yet mature in the faith. Now, at 72, I find my life a comfort and an adventure knowing I am safely in His hands.
Thank you for your gentle spirit. The time is fast upon us to carry the banner of God’s judgement into the pits of this world’s sin.