Jump Starts # 3668

1 Timothy 3:5 “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a faith without hypocrisy.”

Our verse today reminds us of a purpose, a goal. There was an intention behind what was being taught. They were not teaching and preaching because it was their jobs. They weren’t doing those things just because it’s Sunday and we are supposed to have a sermon. There was something behind all of that. They were looking to change hearts. The goal was love and faith. Love that came from a pure heart and a faith that was genuine.

There is a challenge behind preaching and the key is knowing your audience. On any given Sunday, assembled are some who have read that Bible dozens and dozens of times. They know the word of God. There are also assembled those who are new at all of this. They have never read the Bible completely. They are unfamiliar with words and concepts that those have known for decades. Also gathered on any given Sunday, are those who are distracted by the problems and pains in their lives. Some are journeying through grief. Some have prodigals in the family. Some are scared. Some have big medical procedures awaiting them. It’s hard for them to stay focused with all these things running through their lives. Then, you also have those who came because they were told to come. They don’t want to be there. They are bored and not interested in Jesus.

What a mixture of people! Like grandma’s ole’ vegetable soup, stir all those ingredients together and the preacher stares at the computer screen wondering what in the world to preach on next Sunday. He must not bore those with great Bible knowledge, yet, he doesn’t want to be so deep that others become confused and lost at what he is talking about. There is a challenge in preaching.

Here are some thoughts:

First, the preacher must never forget the basics. The first principles need to be taught to every generation. Those with depth will find something and for those who hear it for the first time, it will be a learning process for them. When a team is losing game after game, the coach will often go back to the basics. That is the foundation upon which other things will stand.

Second, the preacher must not be afraid to launch out into the deep. If he does this carefully, it becomes a great learning experience for all. Be careful of assuming that everyone knows certain things. In today’s world many do not. Explain. Lead. Show. Prove. This is how faith will be built.

Third, application is essential. What good are facts if I don’t know what to do with them? Our verse shows the practical end of teaching and preaching. It is disciples who love and have faith. How to live on a Tuesday afternoon is as important as what we do in the church building on a Sunday morning. Faith that can endure storms and a love that will forgive comes from changed lives that have been touched by the Gospel.

Those of us that have been around for a while must not groan when the topic of the sermon is baptism. Yes, we’ve heard that preached hundreds of times. But there may be that soul in the audience who has never heard that before. Be patient. Be helpful.

It didn’t take very long after Joshua’s days for the nation of Israel to start bowing down to idols. Error, like mold on a wall, spreads quickly and before long, faith and love have been replaced with selfishness and feelings. If it feels good, then it has to be right. That’s the thought today.

How that all changes is through consistent and constant teaching of God’s word. Teach it publicly. Teach it in homes. Teach it using every form of social media and technology available. There is a goal and a purpose.  One can tell which lives have been touched by the gospel. It’s obvious. There is a kindness and gentle spirit about them. They have walked with the Savior and it has made a difference.

God’s avenue to get us to know Him and His will is teaching. How blessed we are to have so many gifted ones around us. Tap into their knowledge. Ask them questions. See their examples.

Roger