119. Sermons 2

In church, there seems to be the idiosyncratic idea that one can be edified through any given sermon no matter the topic, content, or speaker. However, I seem to only find sermons edifying (or touching) if the speaker is very sincere and into it (probably as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit), if the topic or material is new, or if the speaker goes deeper (or offers a new perspective) on a familiar topic. And yes, these types of sermons are many, and I do often find something interesting in a sermon (thank God!).

However, sometimes sermons don't offer any of these things. The speaker may not seem sincere (maybe they're into it, but more in a speechy or didactic manner), the topic is not new, and the material does not go any deeper beyond what has been recently repeated. For example, let's take "instructions about baptism." Say the speaker mentions things like "head bowed down" with appropriate verses and canonical interpretations (Rom 6:5, John 19:30). He mentions 5-10 similar items in a 45 min sermon. If you listen to this sermon, you feel instructed if you never knew it. You underline these verses and memorize. However, after a few times, if the speaker keeps giving the same information, you don't gain anything, especially if there is no exhortation with feelings/sincerity. Okay, if the sermon had something deeper about each item like a new testimony, then you gain something. If the speaker is sincere and pleads with you, then perhaps you are touched. But, if there are none of these, you're just listening to something you can also recite (at least, if you were paying attention in the past).

And then poor you. You feel like you know this stuff. Are you supposed to feign ignorance to humble yourself? That's unnatural and fake. I guess you just practice patience and hope others are edified, right?

Now, if you keep not getting edified from a variety of different sermons and speakers, then perhaps there may be some sort of personal obstacle/sin/pride. (Either that, or there are some even sadder issues.) However, I've experienced that in a single day, I listen to one really touching/edifying sermon, but then afterwards, I listen to another sermon that is completely unedifying. So, when we say that it's our own fault for not being edified by the sermon, can that really always be true? Why isn't it because the sermon contains no new material? Why isn't it because the speaker is not filled with the Holy Spirit? If they were, I'm sure there would be undeniable power.

Anyway, this post may sound like some sort of rant or complaint. But, the takeaway, I hope, is that we shouldn't find it too strange and beat ourselves up for not being edified in a sermon (although in some cases we should). Instead, we should pray all the more so that God's workers can be powerfully cultivated, so that their sermons can truly be edifying, powerful, and touching by the power of Christ's Spirit.

118. Something More

During a Bible Study Prep workshop, Pr. Liang said that as a Bible Study leader, you need to make an effort to prepare good questions that are relevant and lead the group to a desired destination, instead of just going around and asking everyone to share something, which can take up the time as well. When he talked about how some people only go around and have everyone share, all I kept thinking was "Wow, that's what I do."

Although this is both funny and true, I think the same goes for anything in life. We have this limit of time, and we can fill it in any way we choose (to a great extent). Do we just do the minimum and get by? Or do we plan and try to do something more for God? Either way, we take up the time, right?

It's often tempting to take the easier way. And when we're very busy, that may seem like the only way. But there must be something more we can offer to God. Something more we can do to please Him. 

Saviour, Thy dying love Thou gavest me, 

Nor should I aught withhold, dear Lord, from Thee:

In love my soul would bow, my heart fulfill its vow, 

Some offering bring Thee now, Something for Thee.