Many of those who have had the privilege of hearing John Piper1 preaching testify that this sounds like a monumental event. His preaching is a powerful combination of truth and passion, which leads listeners to conviction and joy. After the sermon, some listeners may leave wondering if they were in the presence of a character that would be talked about in the centuries to come.
So they go back to their churches where many things are different, including preaching!Fortunately, the gospel is continually proclaimed. In fact, sermons are completely biblical; however, the skill of his usual preacher simply does not live up to the phenomenal preaching he has heard recently.
- Unless you regularly attend the church of one of today’s famous preachers.
- You’ve probably faced a similar situation.
- At a conference or on the Internet.
- He heard an exceptional preaching.
- But every Sunday he is back in his simple little church.
- Which almost not one of another city knows.
- With a pastor who is a “John No one” and who will probably never preach to thousands.
What if your pastor, a preacher of the gospel, wasn’t as good as one of the great speakers of our time?Is it time to sell the house, reunite the family and change churches?No, I don’t think so, but what should you do?
First, rejoice that your preacher is a man who proclaims the gospel. In some cities, finding a man who preaches the true gospel is as difficult as finding that beautiful new golf ball you threw 100 meters into the forest. endure a 40-minute sermon where the preacher was talking mainly about his family’s vacation. Although this is an extreme example of what is not the preaching of the gospel, many preachers do not speak of the Holy God, sinful humanity, and Christ’s redemptive work. Does he speak honestly of sin, courageously proclaim Jesus Christ and this crucified man?(1 Corinthians 2:2) and then lovingly invites his listeners to repent and believe. That’s one reason to rejoice.
Second, recognize that some men are especially endowed by the Lord to have an international ministry and be an international attraction, but that is not the norm. Should a typical local church be happy to appoint male pastors who are there?Without fail? In their lives, who believe in the gospel, they can teach the Word of God and aspire to serve as shepherds (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1: 5-9). Most preachers will not be surprisingly kind and polite. They may never be the key speakers at an important conference, but it is not a tragic failure instead in the kingdom of God. That is precisely His purpose.
Third, if your pastor is (honestly) boring, but faithfully preaches the truth, a small statement I once heard can help you remember, “The mature worshipper builds easily. “When they hear a boring preaching (40/4), immature worshippers usually do not hear the message because they expected the messenger to be more exciting. On the other hand, mature worshippers enthusiastically receive the truth when proclaimed, even if it appears that the preacher reads a telephone directory.
Fourth, listen to preaching by giving external signals. What I mean is this: sit down with your Bible open and make regular eye contact with the preacher. In my experiences of preaching and listening to sermons, I can confirm that listeners who yawn and seem asleep aggravate mediocre preaching, while anxious listeners inspire better preaching.
Fifth, verbally encourage the preachers of your church. Every preacher who is not extraordinarily talented listens to a unique preaching and laments: “After hearing this, why do I keep trying?!?. It’s a strange phenomenon, but does the great preaching of renowned teachers of our time make shepherds?Ordinary? Get discouraged. Here’s an easy way to save your pastor: after a sermon, instead of just saying “Beautiful sermon!”what in the sermon was particularly useful and/or brought the conviction of sin. In the first church where I served as a pastor, a young couple, about once a month, spoke to me after the service of what they were learning. conversations lasted more than an hour, even today I am excited to remember your enthusiasm for what you taught.
We must praise the Lord for giving us eminent and well-known preachers, but let us not forget Paul’s commandment to Timothy, who settled in a local church with pastors whose names none of us know: “Should they be considered worthy of double honor. (1 Timothy 5:17).
¹ John Piper is senior pastor and teacher at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA), and a regular preacher at conferences around the world.
By Steve Burchett. Copyright © 2008 Steve Burchett. Website: CCWtoday. org Original: When your preacher is not John Piper Translation: VoltemosAoEvangelho. com Permissions: You are authorized and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format, provided that you add the above information, do not change the original content and do not use it for commercial purposes.