CLOWNING IN THE PULPIT

SHOULD PREACHERS PUT ON SHOWS OR PERFORM ?

IS IT IN THE WILL OF GOD THAT WE ENTERTAIN THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH ?

I believe that we are called to a life of service to mankind. I do not believe that we are called to this life of service apart from a clear and uncompromising proclamation of the gospel

This is our purpose: to lift up the Son for all to turn to and so be saved. Christians are the only people in the world who have a reason to do service–namely, to testify to the power of God to save sinners because of the person and work of Christ.

For the Corinthians, THE APOSTLE Paul refused to talk to them in the style of some Greek orator and so titillate their carnal intellectualism. For the Galatians, he refused to have them think the gospel must be added to circumcision and other Judaic laws and so massage their carnal desire to be self-righteous. For the Colossians, he refused to allow them to think that wisdom, knowledge and spiritual experience was found anywhere but in Christ–not in the worship of angels, mysticism, or asceticism–and so “transcend” to the upper realms of spirituality. Paul wanted to know nothing among his people but Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). Indeed, this was of first importance to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).

Paul wants to know nothing among his people but Christ’s death and resurrection. Don’t ever assume that your people know the gospel. Unpack all of its glorious facets for the rest of your preaching ministry. This is your charge. People will respond to the gospel because this is where God has placed his power. Either they will respond to it with derision or they will respond to it in faith. This is what we have been promised from the beginning (2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6).