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How do you ensure relevance in your preaching
OK..first relevance doesn’t mean that you never preach about the ethical demands of the text.
Some folks think that relevance means you only preach about the free gift side of the gospel.
Naw that ain’t it…
Relevance simply means that you preach in a way that is UNDERSTOOD by the people.
The key is not acceptance by the people….you don’t change the message to make it acceptable….the key is to be understood….
You translate the text’s situation into the situation of the people…
If everybody accepts your message…then you probably ain’t being understood….
I ain’t saying somebody rejecting your message is your desire…but it is your reality if you are understood…
Yes sometimes that means that they aren’t gonna like what you said…
But at least they will understand what you said…
In too many cases preachers look down on relevance and are proud of their not succumbing to the demands of preaching relevant sermons…
Well, if you ain’t relevant, then few may be understanding what you are saying…
So how do you insure relevance?
Two things:
1) Always…I mean always…think about the text from the perspective of those who are going through something…
Folks are not just going through something, but going through a hell on earth.
I ain’t talking about those folks who have a cold and need God to help them get over it…Not those who have lost their keys and need God to help them find them….
There is enough preaching for them already…
You come to the text with the concerns of those who have lost their job. I want you to come to the text with the concerns of those who ain’t got no food in the pantry and their baby is crying….
I want you to come to the text with the concerns of those who don’t know if their car is gonna start but they have their first job interview in months…
Those are the concerns you are going to go to the text with…
Don’t read these concerns into the text (eisegesis) but if the text legitimately addresses those concerns, I need you to see it…
In short, Always…I mean Always…I mean Always…no really, I mean ALWAYS…. look for what the text says to those on the underbelly of society in every text…What does the text have to say to the weak and hurting….
Then step 2, Go head and sit back and watch God show up…
As we said, everybody ain’t gonna be touched. Some folks will deny it… Some folks will not accept it…but those who do accept will have a life changing experience….
To do this….Do the waves of Bible Exegesis. It really is important. You can get the white paper right now at: https://gumroad.com/products/okfy
Keep on preaching yall,
Brother Sherman
P.S. – My homiletic http://www.superchargeyoursermons.net
P.S.S. – My exegesis method if you need a full process method at https://gumroad.com/products/okfy
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