More from the Kellernator...
Preaching to the Heart – Tim Keller, Oak Hill College, 19/11/08
2. HOW CAN YOU BE BETTER AT PREACHING LIFE RELATED SERMONS
Theology is the answers to the questions we have asked of the text
So the meaning you attribute to a text – is the answers to the questions you have asked of it
Not Realtivism – rather Biblical texts contain a surplus of meaning
1. Who do you converse with?
We are always shaped by our contexts – and thus are our sermons
The questions we ask of the text are moulded in large part by our situations
So if you live in a world of theological controversy your sermons will heavily reference those issues – i.e. those were the questions in your mind as you studied the text
Conversely if you spend time with non-Christians or are involved in pastoral situations – you sermons will reflect that (e.g. they will become more relevant & meaningful to non-Christians)
So beware becoming unbalanced in your focus – read & spend time with a diversity of people.
2. Who do you picture?
Imagine yourself counselling a particular person with the text you’re studying (imagine the conversation)
Anticipate the questions a range of people might have about what you’re saying – answer them!
Types of listeners: sensitive non-Christians, immoral pagans, intellectual pagans, non-church nominal Christians, church-going nominal Christians, new Christians, mature Christians, the sick & suffering, the persecuted, the dying, the spiritually dry, the tempted, the backslider….etc etc
3. Do you have 3 perspectives on situational?
Three ways to apply a text
Doctrinalist: focused on objective truth
Pietist: focused on inner life
Cultural Transformationalist: focused on community impact
e.g. Exorcism stories in NT
Doctrinalist: focuses on: Jesus as God, divine power, no dualism
Pietist: focuses on: Jesus can free you from the things that enslave you today
Transformationalist focuses on: Jesus overcomes the evil in the world – how do we challenge evil in society today.
Preachers will tend to be disposed to focus on one aspect –
need to see all three and apply in all aspects over time (may privilege one at any given time).
Apologetics in your sermon = application for non-Christians
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Preaching to the Heart 1
Some notes I took at a Preaching Seminar a while back...
Preaching to the Heart – Tim Keller, Oak Hill College, 19/11/08
Tolkien noted that a good sermon involves:
ART / VIRTUE / KNOWLEDGE
Col 1:28-29
Admonishing – preaching into lives & situations (SITUATIONAL)
Labouring – aspect of personal experience and involvement (VIRTUE)
Teaching – need knowledge / information / objective truth (NORMATIVE)
When you preach – people are assessing you personally
Evangelicals don’t like that – tend to belittle the Situational & Virtue aspects
i.e. it should just be about the truth I speak – but the reality is you can’t separate the message from yourself or your listeners
U.S. preaching – often excessively situational
Big emphasis on performance / moving people emotionally / being anecdotal
Big weakness is that it lacks knowledge
Our weakness, on the other hand, is often we lack situational invlovement
NEW PREACHERS
Main complaint – good exegesis but lacking in application
The sermons are boney & lack flesh – their word hasn’t become flesh
Can be due to lack of personal / pastoral experience
Jonathan Edwards: purpose of sermon not just to make truth clear but to make it real
Purpose in preaching is to change people even as they listen
APPLICATION
Shouldn’t be tacked on the end of our preparation
But should be in our minds at the beginning of our preparation
Dt 29:29 - Revealed things are there to be obeyed / put into practise / followed
Therefore – there is no part of God’s revelation that is not practical
Everything in the Bible is application
Thus: if you don’t know how a text is to be applied then you haven’t understood it!
Application & Meaning are not different.
Word / Act theory
i.e. Knowing the definition of a word is not the same as understanding the intention behind its use
e.g. Can study a Psalm and breakdown language / understand context – but then need to ask what is the Psalm designed to do?
First part of sermon – says what you need to do
Second part – says this is how to do it (i.e. go to Jesus)
Preaching to the Heart – Tim Keller, Oak Hill College, 19/11/08
Tolkien noted that a good sermon involves:
ART / VIRTUE / KNOWLEDGE
Col 1:28-29
Admonishing – preaching into lives & situations (SITUATIONAL)
Labouring – aspect of personal experience and involvement (VIRTUE)
Teaching – need knowledge / information / objective truth (NORMATIVE)
When you preach – people are assessing you personally
Evangelicals don’t like that – tend to belittle the Situational & Virtue aspects
i.e. it should just be about the truth I speak – but the reality is you can’t separate the message from yourself or your listeners
U.S. preaching – often excessively situational
Big emphasis on performance / moving people emotionally / being anecdotal
Big weakness is that it lacks knowledge
Our weakness, on the other hand, is often we lack situational invlovement
NEW PREACHERS
Main complaint – good exegesis but lacking in application
The sermons are boney & lack flesh – their word hasn’t become flesh
Can be due to lack of personal / pastoral experience
Jonathan Edwards: purpose of sermon not just to make truth clear but to make it real
Purpose in preaching is to change people even as they listen
APPLICATION
Shouldn’t be tacked on the end of our preparation
But should be in our minds at the beginning of our preparation
Dt 29:29 - Revealed things are there to be obeyed / put into practise / followed
Therefore – there is no part of God’s revelation that is not practical
Everything in the Bible is application
Thus: if you don’t know how a text is to be applied then you haven’t understood it!
Application & Meaning are not different.
Word / Act theory
i.e. Knowing the definition of a word is not the same as understanding the intention behind its use
e.g. Can study a Psalm and breakdown language / understand context – but then need to ask what is the Psalm designed to do?
First part of sermon – says what you need to do
Second part – says this is how to do it (i.e. go to Jesus)
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Holiness Elephant in the Room
Over on Cave Adullam John Thomson has a link to a clip of John Piper. In it Piper expresses his fears about the disconnect between the seemingly great appreciation of God’s majesty many younger evangelicals have and their lifestyles. That is, while in many places there has been a great awakening to the greatness of God (something expressed in great worship songs and a revival of Biblical orthodoxy) – it has not been matched by the same zeal and rigour for practical holiness (e.g. what we watch or how we dress). A discrepancy that Piper fears might be the undoing of this new movement.
It may be that Piper’s comments will open a fresh debate on what holiness actually looks like on a day to day level. If so, we should welcome it because there is a real danger of a conspiracy of silence among us about 'this elephant in the room'.
In the flight (rightly so) from legalism many evangelicals have felt it necessary to adopt a very privatized concept of holiness. That is, we have created a disconnect between our habits and our hearts. So just like the Corinthians of old – we can protest that our Monday to Saturday practices have little bearing on our Sunday spiritual health. The result is that while few today could seriously accuse mainline evangelical churches of excessive legalism – neither could they accuse us of great distinctiveness in lifestyles. Our habits and aspirations too often neatly camouflage the inner beliefs we profess.
Already I sense unease, in myself and in those likely to read this, we are all vulnerable here – even to raise questions is tantamount to throwing the first stone, better to say nothing and at least you won’t be accused of hypocrisy or worse ‘being judgmental. ‘For in the same way as you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will measured against you’ (Mt 7:2). So it's with acute sensitivity to my own shortcomings that I write this – but the alternative is a paralyzing collusion in which no-one speaks. All the while we keep on following the fashions, watching the programmes and films, consuming the same luxuries, and speaking in the same categories as our non-Christian neighbours and colleagues.
I watch the X-Factor and enjoy much of it – but some of it troubles me. It is so of the world with its glamour, power worship, pursuit of fame, money and success. I wince at the some of the fashions of the female participants – so clearly wearing ‘a man’s idea’ of what looks good on a woman. We sit pretending to be highbrow philosophers, as if the fact that we are observing deliberately sexualized (often teenage) women, is no more than a cultural curiosity to us.
This assumed-naivety extends into our own wardrobes. A generation ago many of today's mainline High Street fashions would only have been seen in the sex industry. Fashions, clothes specifically designed to reveal rather than conceal, used in that industry precisely because they were intended to lure & titillate. Fast forward twenty years and they are not unknown in churches. Of course, we are far too enlightened and liberated to suggest they might jar with verses such as 1 Tim 2:9.
Is this a call to return to a cultural ghetto, to become Amish-like, cut-off from the world around us, a curious and obsolete bunch wishing back the days of Queen Victoria? No, we should be modern people, we should be informed people, we should be people who enjoy all the good things of creation (1 Tim 4:5). But we should be different. A people whose mental energies and time are invested in true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy things (Php 4:8). Those who give no quarter to sinful cravings, the lust of the eyes, or self-promotion (1 Jn 2:15-17). Such things necessitate making lifestyle choices – and it is those choices that Piper rightly senses need to be spoken about rather than ignored.
It may be that Piper’s comments will open a fresh debate on what holiness actually looks like on a day to day level. If so, we should welcome it because there is a real danger of a conspiracy of silence among us about 'this elephant in the room'.
In the flight (rightly so) from legalism many evangelicals have felt it necessary to adopt a very privatized concept of holiness. That is, we have created a disconnect between our habits and our hearts. So just like the Corinthians of old – we can protest that our Monday to Saturday practices have little bearing on our Sunday spiritual health. The result is that while few today could seriously accuse mainline evangelical churches of excessive legalism – neither could they accuse us of great distinctiveness in lifestyles. Our habits and aspirations too often neatly camouflage the inner beliefs we profess.
Already I sense unease, in myself and in those likely to read this, we are all vulnerable here – even to raise questions is tantamount to throwing the first stone, better to say nothing and at least you won’t be accused of hypocrisy or worse ‘being judgmental. ‘For in the same way as you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will measured against you’ (Mt 7:2). So it's with acute sensitivity to my own shortcomings that I write this – but the alternative is a paralyzing collusion in which no-one speaks. All the while we keep on following the fashions, watching the programmes and films, consuming the same luxuries, and speaking in the same categories as our non-Christian neighbours and colleagues.
I watch the X-Factor and enjoy much of it – but some of it troubles me. It is so of the world with its glamour, power worship, pursuit of fame, money and success. I wince at the some of the fashions of the female participants – so clearly wearing ‘a man’s idea’ of what looks good on a woman. We sit pretending to be highbrow philosophers, as if the fact that we are observing deliberately sexualized (often teenage) women, is no more than a cultural curiosity to us.
This assumed-naivety extends into our own wardrobes. A generation ago many of today's mainline High Street fashions would only have been seen in the sex industry. Fashions, clothes specifically designed to reveal rather than conceal, used in that industry precisely because they were intended to lure & titillate. Fast forward twenty years and they are not unknown in churches. Of course, we are far too enlightened and liberated to suggest they might jar with verses such as 1 Tim 2:9.
Is this a call to return to a cultural ghetto, to become Amish-like, cut-off from the world around us, a curious and obsolete bunch wishing back the days of Queen Victoria? No, we should be modern people, we should be informed people, we should be people who enjoy all the good things of creation (1 Tim 4:5). But we should be different. A people whose mental energies and time are invested in true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy things (Php 4:8). Those who give no quarter to sinful cravings, the lust of the eyes, or self-promotion (1 Jn 2:15-17). Such things necessitate making lifestyle choices – and it is those choices that Piper rightly senses need to be spoken about rather than ignored.
Friday, October 29, 2010
What are you waiting for?
Judges 4&5
Israel is oppressed – under the lash & chariots of Sisera. After 20 years of defeat the people cry to the Lord for help. The Lord’s response comes as it always does by His word to His servants. Deborah commands Barak to raise an army and take on Sisera at the Kishon River. But Barak is hesitant - God’s promise is not reassuring enough it seems. He’ll go but only if Deborah ‘holds his hand’ (4:8). Barak wants the security of Deborah - maybe he thinks of her as a lucky charm, maybe he's insecure & wants someone of Deborah's status to back him up, perhaps he just wants someone to blame if it all goes wrong. So Deborah will go but as they say, ‘no guts no glory’. The Lord will do His work, but if Barak needs a woman to back him up (remember it’s c1100BC), then it will be a women who gets the honour (4:9).
We know the story - Sisera’s army is routed and the great scourge of Israel is unceremoniously killed by Jabel and her camping equipment. It’s a great victory but in it (as increasingly happens in Judges) there are worrying signs starting to appear among Israel’s leaders. Despite clear guidance from God – Barak wobbles. Taking on Sisera was clearly a risk – so unless he can cover his back and dilute the responsibility he is not willing to take it.
This prevarication ran throughout many parts of Israel it seems. Where was Reuben? Keeping warm and searching his heart (5:15). Where was Gilead? Staying beyond the Jordan (5:17). Where was Dan? Lingering by the ships (5:17). Where was Asher? Staying put at the seaside (5:17). Thankfully there were those like Zebulun and Naptali ready to risk their lives (5:18).
Barak & Israel got there in the end – Praise the Lord. But for Barak and the tribes fretting at the back it was a victory tinged with an element of 'could have been so much better'.
What has God laid on your heart? What is God's word saying to you? Where are you being called to go? What is the Spirit prompting you to do?
So who / what are you waiting for?
Israel is oppressed – under the lash & chariots of Sisera. After 20 years of defeat the people cry to the Lord for help. The Lord’s response comes as it always does by His word to His servants. Deborah commands Barak to raise an army and take on Sisera at the Kishon River. But Barak is hesitant - God’s promise is not reassuring enough it seems. He’ll go but only if Deborah ‘holds his hand’ (4:8). Barak wants the security of Deborah - maybe he thinks of her as a lucky charm, maybe he's insecure & wants someone of Deborah's status to back him up, perhaps he just wants someone to blame if it all goes wrong. So Deborah will go but as they say, ‘no guts no glory’. The Lord will do His work, but if Barak needs a woman to back him up (remember it’s c1100BC), then it will be a women who gets the honour (4:9).
We know the story - Sisera’s army is routed and the great scourge of Israel is unceremoniously killed by Jabel and her camping equipment. It’s a great victory but in it (as increasingly happens in Judges) there are worrying signs starting to appear among Israel’s leaders. Despite clear guidance from God – Barak wobbles. Taking on Sisera was clearly a risk – so unless he can cover his back and dilute the responsibility he is not willing to take it.
This prevarication ran throughout many parts of Israel it seems. Where was Reuben? Keeping warm and searching his heart (5:15). Where was Gilead? Staying beyond the Jordan (5:17). Where was Dan? Lingering by the ships (5:17). Where was Asher? Staying put at the seaside (5:17). Thankfully there were those like Zebulun and Naptali ready to risk their lives (5:18).
Barak & Israel got there in the end – Praise the Lord. But for Barak and the tribes fretting at the back it was a victory tinged with an element of 'could have been so much better'.
What has God laid on your heart? What is God's word saying to you? Where are you being called to go? What is the Spirit prompting you to do?
So who / what are you waiting for?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Training Day For Bible Teachers
Don't miss this great opportunity to hone and develop your skills in handling the Bible - open to all who teach the Bible in any capacity or who just have an appetite to understand and apply the Bible properly.Saturday 6th November - 9.30pm to 4.00pm, in Greenview.
Reserve your space or get more info: andy.hunter@greenviewevangelicalchurch.co.uk
Cost £10.00 (bring pack lunch)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Evangelical Eggheads
Forget the X-Factor - the Big One is finally coming to a TV near you - Wed 3rd November, 6pm BBC2
-------------------------------------
From Jan 2010
In an increasingly desperate attempt to gain sermon anecdotes I took part in BBC2's smash hit series 'Eggheads' (what do you mean you've never heard of it?). Our team was mainly Greenview men along with Phil from Netherauldhouse and Graeme from Peter MacDonald's work.
Below with the Eggheads (various Mastermind winners etc) and host Jeremy Vine.
Jeremy Vine commented on the fact that we were from an evangelical church by mentioning that his parents would have 'taken him down that route' - interesting. I'm afraid though, I can't tell you how we did - you'll just have to watch it! When it's aired hasn't been decided yet - but I'll be sure to post details here as soon as I know.
Below: getting ready for preaching on Sunday morni... eh, for the studio, obviously!
-------------------------------------
From Jan 2010
In an increasingly desperate attempt to gain sermon anecdotes I took part in BBC2's smash hit series 'Eggheads' (what do you mean you've never heard of it?). Our team was mainly Greenview men along with Phil from Netherauldhouse and Graeme from Peter MacDonald's work.
Below with the Eggheads (various Mastermind winners etc) and host Jeremy Vine.
Jeremy Vine commented on the fact that we were from an evangelical church by mentioning that his parents would have 'taken him down that route' - interesting. I'm afraid though, I can't tell you how we did - you'll just have to watch it! When it's aired hasn't been decided yet - but I'll be sure to post details here as soon as I know.
Below: getting ready for preaching on Sunday morni... eh, for the studio, obviously!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Christianese
Picked up a copy of Private Eye recently and was reminded how overused jargon infuses every aspect of life - including some of our favourite Christian buzz-words. One of which PE has dedicated a column to!
COMMUNITIES
'We know you'll enjoy using the scheme and feeling part of the Barclays Cyle Hire community' (Welcome letter to users of Boris Johnson's London bike hire Scheme)
'We encourage the tented community to stay vigilant, look out for each other and befriend neighbours' (Festival organiser, Guardian)
'As one member of the hedge community puts: 'if you've got one yew tree next door, you've had it' (Anti-leylandii campaigner, The Times)
'The seizure is sending shockwaves through the super yacht community' (Offshore Red magazine).
Private Eye, October 2010
COMMUNITIES
'We know you'll enjoy using the scheme and feeling part of the Barclays Cyle Hire community' (Welcome letter to users of Boris Johnson's London bike hire Scheme)
'We encourage the tented community to stay vigilant, look out for each other and befriend neighbours' (Festival organiser, Guardian)
'As one member of the hedge community puts: 'if you've got one yew tree next door, you've had it' (Anti-leylandii campaigner, The Times)
'The seizure is sending shockwaves through the super yacht community' (Offshore Red magazine).
Private Eye, October 2010
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