I tend to think that most preaching and Bible quoting is a waste of time, if the person doing the deed does not bring his or her own humanity into the mix. Pounding on the Bible, quotation jumping and the pointing of fingers can often be a diversion that is shared by one click speaking against another.
My sister Jane -- who is a very caring Christian and does a great deal of work with addicts, as well as with women who have been abused -- once asked me this question:
"Mark do you think Jesus is coming soon?"
It is a good question. I said, "No, because the Gospel has yet to be preached." By that I don't mean it literally of course, but I am not sure the Gospel is as yet understood by Christians, and of course I am smack in the middle of that statement, for not only do I not live the message, I am still seeking to understand it.
However I think Jane understands the message of the Gospel better than me. From what she says and from what I have heard from others, she does not preach, but shares. She is also honest about her own struggles and failures. In other words she has humility; the ability to understand the truth about herself and is not afraid of that reality. Is she perfect? Well no, does she fail, well I am sure she does, for failures are just as important as successes, for it is there that we learn true compassion which leads also to empathy.
What is the difference between preaching the Gospel and sharing the Gospel? Which do you think is more effective to lead people to Christ?
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Comments (7)
I think what is being described in this post is pontificating rather than preaching.
Being a Catholic myself, "preaching" is a foreign oddity.
But odd though it may be, preaching usually has some sort of instructive purpose where holy scripture is used to make the preacher's case.
Yes when it is done with love, humility and some self knowledge to keep the preacher from falling into traps.
peace
mark
in the Bible preaching is called "foolishness" but then it also says it's the means whereby God chooses to confound the wise of this world and win the humble (1 Corinthians 1:21). very strange indeed.
I think one of the big differences between today's preaching and true biblical preaching is this: what we have today is a lot of professionalism, in many cases. back then "preaching" was the primary method of mass communication (premedia), like the town crier. it was the "hear ye hear ye". it was the way messages were delivered publicly. today "preaching" can be a spectacle for entertainment purposes, "keep the hell-bound spellbound" I always like to say.
More than that though it should always be a message that knows and reaches its audience. right where they live. even if it's preaching to the choir, so to speak.
Living the gospel.
the Gospel? Which do you think is more effective to lead people to
Christ?
Actions!
Interesting thoughts... mine are similar. Jane sounds wonderful. Its incredible to not be afraid of your failures. It's a precious place in life to be.