I smell what you’re stepping in. I’m even sensing what it might be that you stepped in.

I agree that sermons should be calls to action, but if you plan on preaching (or teaching) with this in mind prepare to be disappointed. I have often found that people will love a convicting sermon, even thank me for it, but do nothing with it.

James 1:22-24Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.(now i’m just showing off my HTML prowess)I think for today’s church, far too much emphasis is placed on preaching. People aren’t going to change their lives just because of a sermon. They need help, they need mentorship, they need someone to walk with them, they need discipleship. The problems we have now weren’t created by poor preaching alone, they were created by poor discipleship. And this isn’t the responsibility of just pastors, this is the responsibility of every Christian. To get back to your original post, spoon feeding and watering down sermons wouldn’t have ever took place if congregations took up their responsibility to read the Bible for themselves. And people wouldn’t have deconstructed Biblical principles if the Church would have actually lived by them 24/7.

Sure leadership has its responsibilities, but the onus rest on the entire Church. This reminds me of when Israel demanded God give them a King. The Church got what it asked for in our pastors. Given the individual lives of Christians, should we be surprised to hear so many bad sermons?

Perhaps this makes a little more sense:

It is the passage the governs a sermon, and not the topic. Too many times I have seen a passage upheld by the topic, and not the other way around.

I have a strong feeling that in every sermon, the congregation should be feeling a sense of conviction (in the most positive sense of the word) from the Holy Spirit. If individuals are walking out saying, “that was a nice thought the pastor had” then I have a feeling the job wasn’t done correctly. On the other side of the coin, however, if individuals are pouring our not only convicted but called to action (I wish I could italicize!) by the Spirit through the preacher.

Agreed, it is only right to be aware of the needs and wants of a congregation. If it is filled with selfish liars, then topics should range from selflessness and the importance of telling the truth and NOT on sexual immorality. Either way, the sermon should touch strongly on the topic while being upheld mightily by scripture and ultimately led to conviction and repentance (through so many words, that is).

You smelling what I’m stepping in?

I agree that the deconstruction of Biblical principles (which actually started with “Modern thought” via the enlightenment) is a dangerous thing. Especially since no ultimate conclusion can be agreed upon in terms of searching for a truth outside of the reader’s own construct. Its like they’ve dug a pit only to find a hole, yet no one can see that they didn’t need to dig the pit or that they’d be better off filling it back up.

I’m still not sure where you are coming from with the whole topical sermon bit. Perhaps we are hearing different topical sermons series that are effecting our views. But the nature of a topical sermon is, in fact, to allow the topic to determine the course. If I’m going to speak on sexual ethics and the Bible, then the sermon is going to be about the topic. Now the Gospel must be the hermeneutic that I see the topic through, but the sermon doesn’t have to be a gospel presentation. It can be simply “this is what God says, this is why, this is what happens when we do or don’t follow, I encourage you to follow God’s commands.” There are a few ways the Gospel would fit into that; 1)Forgiveness for those who have broken the commandment, 2)Motivation to not sin since we have been set free from sin. But as far as being the center of the sermon, I’m not sure that’s necessary. It may even hinder exploring the topic to its full depths. Obviously the point of the sermon would be to encourage obedience to God(which I believe is the actual center of the epistles and the gospels) and I think that should be enough.

I also think your issue can be flipped on its head. Its poor when the preacher reaches the pulpit without hearing from God what the people need and what they are struggling with. So instead of dealing with the real issues the congregation members actually have, he simply addresses the next chapter in his study, fully read up on all his commentaries.

I feel kinda lost, perhaps you can further explain you concern.

I think perhaps my worry for ‘postmodern’ is more along the lines of the deconstruction of Biblical principles. I am o.k. with the idea that one can leave room for questions and ultimately the discovery of truth. However, if this comes to the standstill of scripture and a fantastic distaste for the word of God (as written by humans…) then this goes beyond just ‘leaving room to question our ability to decide truth on our own.’

I had said that the problem with topical sermons is when the topic determines the course. It is poor form when a teacher/preacher stands in the pulpit only to find that the Spirit did not give him/her a word to speak and he/she must make do with present ideas. Agreed, NT epistles are topical. However, each has the point of making certain that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is at the center of the message… not tithing, sexual immorality or stealing.

I resonate with your some of your observations.

If only this particular swap, from false self to spirit-led self, was as easy as you say…putting it in our pipe. I long for that plug and play ease.

I think instead it takes about 85 realizations like these, and even more proddings from the Spirit until we begin taking those tiny steps. In these steps we rid ourselves (as the Spirit leads) of that which which breaks Abba’s heart and we/I begin walking/dragging towards that which delights Abba’s heart.

I’m not saying much here, but perhaps echoing your soul stew.