When it comes to comments on your preaching and teaching, which would you rather hear?
"Wow! I have never heard that before? or "Wow! I have never seen that before?"
Earlier in my ministry, I think I would have chosen the former, but the more I teach and preach, the more I have come to prefer the latter. You see, my goal as a preacher and teacher is not primarily to demonstrate that I have something novel to say. Nor is the goal of preaching to communicate what others might see if only they were as gifted, spiritual, well-trained, etc. as me. Rather, my goal as a preacher and teacher is to help people to see what Scripture has to say. I want my audience to know that the key to seeing what I have seen is the diligent, careful, prayerful examination of the Scriptures. The best expository message are not one's that spotlight on the preacher, but the best expository messages are those that throw a spotlight on a passage of Scripture.
1 comment:
I appreciate the underlying spirit that is reflected by your statement. It echoes, II Cor 4:5-6, For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (NASB)
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