Empowering Preaching: Assessing and Transforming the Congregation
Summary
In our journey of faith, it is crucial to understand the dynamic relationship between the preacher and the congregation. The pulpit should never be dictated by the pew, yet the preacher must assess the spiritual condition of the congregation to tailor the message appropriately. This is not about compromising the truth but about ensuring that the message is accessible and impactful. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this approach in 1 Corinthians 3, where he adjusts his teaching based on the spiritual maturity of his audience. Similarly, the author of Hebrews refrains from delving into complex doctrines because the audience is not ready to receive them.
This principle is vital in our ministry today. Many assume that regular churchgoers are Christians, but this assumption can be misleading. Personal experience and numerous encounters with individuals who believed they were Christians, only to realize they were not, highlight the need for evangelistic preaching. It is essential to challenge these assumptions and ensure that the gospel is preached in a way that convicts and transforms.
Moreover, the congregation's attitude towards preaching is telling. A true Christian should desire the Word of God, much like the early Christians who met daily for teaching and fellowship. If there is a lack of enthusiasm for the Word, it may indicate a spiritual deficiency. The preacher's role is to deliver the message with authority, not through outward displays or scholarly prowess, but through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The physical environment of worship also plays a role. The church building should facilitate the preaching of the Word, with good acoustics and a central pulpit to emphasize the importance of the message. Ultimately, the goal is to create an atmosphere where the Spirit can move freely, and the congregation can experience the transformative power of the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- The relationship between the preacher and the congregation is crucial. While the pew should not dictate the pulpit, the preacher must assess the spiritual condition of the congregation to deliver an impactful message. This approach ensures that the message is both accessible and transformative. [01:44]
- Assumptions about the congregation's spiritual state can be misleading. Many regular churchgoers may not be true Christians, highlighting the need for evangelistic preaching that convicts and transforms. Personal experiences and encounters with individuals who realized they were not Christians emphasize this point. [09:50]
- A true Christian should have a deep desire for the Word of God, similar to the early Christians who met daily for teaching and fellowship. A lack of enthusiasm for the Word may indicate a spiritual deficiency, and the preacher's role is to deliver the message with authority through the power of the Holy Spirit. [36:59]
- The physical environment of worship, including the church building and pulpit, plays a role in facilitating the preaching of the Word. Good acoustics and a central pulpit emphasize the importance of the message and create an atmosphere where the Spirit can move freely. [52:30]
- The greatest need in the church today is authority in the pulpit, which comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit. This spiritual authority, rather than outward displays or scholarly prowess, is what truly empowers the preacher to deliver a transformative message. [44:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Opening Prayer
- [00:48] - The Role of the Pulpit and Pew
- [01:44] - Assessing the Congregation
- [02:25] - Biblical Examples of Tailored Preaching
- [04:11] - The Importance of Accurate Assessment
- [08:41] - The Danger of Assumptions
- [10:06] - Personal Experience with False Assumptions
- [12:59] - Stories of Realization and Conversion
- [16:19] - The Congregation's Attitude Towards Preaching
- [19:03] - The Power of the Word
- [22:30] - The Need for Evangelistic Preaching
- [28:23] - Encouraging Attendance at All Services
- [35:55] - The Early Christians' Desire for the Word
- [44:25] - Authority in the Pulpit
- [52:30] - The Importance of Church Buildings
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
2. Hebrews 5:11-14
3. Acts 2:42-47
---
Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, how does Paul describe the spiritual state of the Corinthians, and what does he say about the type of teaching they are ready to receive? [02:25]
2. According to Hebrews 5:11-14, what is the reason the author refrains from discussing complex doctrines with his audience? [03:22]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the preacher and the congregation, and what is the preacher's responsibility in assessing the congregation's spiritual condition? [01:44]
4. What example from the sermon illustrates the danger of assuming that all churchgoers are Christians? [09:50]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of spiritual maturity in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 relate to the preacher's responsibility to tailor their message to the congregation's needs? [02:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a lack of enthusiasm for the Word of God might indicate a spiritual deficiency? [36:59]
3. How does the physical environment of worship, as discussed in the sermon, contribute to the effectiveness of preaching and the movement of the Holy Spirit? [52:30]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of authority in the pulpit, and how is this authority best achieved according to the preacher? [44:25]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual maturity. Are there areas where you feel you need "milk" rather than "meat"? How can you seek growth in those areas? [02:25]
2. Have you ever assumed that someone was a Christian based on their church attendance? How can you engage in conversations that help clarify and deepen their faith? [09:50]
3. Do you find yourself lacking enthusiasm for the Word of God? What steps can you take to rekindle your passion for Scripture and fellowship? [36:59]
4. Consider the physical environment of your church. How does it facilitate or hinder the preaching of the Word? What changes, if any, could be made to improve it? [52:30]
5. How do you perceive the authority of the preacher in your church? In what ways can you support your pastor in maintaining spiritual authority through the Holy Spirit? [44:25]
6. Think about your attitude towards church services. Do you attend with a sense of expectation and desire for spiritual growth, or is it more of a routine? How can you change your mindset to be more open to the movement of the Holy Spirit? [29:55]
7. Identify one person in your church community who might be struggling with their faith. How can you encourage them to engage more deeply with the Word and the church community? [12:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Tailoring the Message to Spiritual Maturity
In the journey of faith, the relationship between the preacher and the congregation is crucial. The preacher must assess the spiritual condition of the congregation to deliver an impactful message. This approach ensures that the message is both accessible and transformative. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in 1 Corinthians 3, where he adjusts his teaching based on the spiritual maturity of his audience. Similarly, the author of Hebrews refrains from delving into complex doctrines because the audience is not ready to receive them. This principle is vital in ministry today, as it ensures that the truth is not compromised but is delivered in a way that is meaningful and transformative. [01:44]
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (ESV): "But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready."
Reflection: Consider your own spiritual maturity. Are there areas in your faith where you need to grow to receive deeper truths? How can you seek growth in these areas today?
Day 2: Challenging Assumptions About Faith
Assumptions about the congregation's spiritual state can be misleading. Many regular churchgoers may not be true Christians, highlighting the need for evangelistic preaching that convicts and transforms. Personal experiences and encounters with individuals who realized they were not Christians emphasize this point. It is essential to challenge these assumptions and ensure that the gospel is preached in a way that convicts and transforms. This approach helps individuals to truly understand and embrace their faith, leading to genuine transformation. [09:50]
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there assumptions you have made about your relationship with God that need to be challenged? How can you seek a deeper understanding of your faith today?
Day 3: Desire for the Word of God
A true Christian should have a deep desire for the Word of God, similar to the early Christians who met daily for teaching and fellowship. A lack of enthusiasm for the Word may indicate a spiritual deficiency, and the preacher's role is to deliver the message with authority through the power of the Holy Spirit. This desire for the Word is a sign of spiritual health and growth, and it is essential for a vibrant faith. [36:59]
Psalm 119:97-99 (ESV): "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation."
Reflection: Do you have a genuine desire for the Word of God? How can you cultivate a deeper love and enthusiasm for Scripture in your daily life?
Day 4: The Role of the Church Environment
The physical environment of worship, including the church building and pulpit, plays a role in facilitating the preaching of the Word. Good acoustics and a central pulpit emphasize the importance of the message and create an atmosphere where the Spirit can move freely. The goal is to create an environment where the congregation can experience the transformative power of the gospel. This environment supports the delivery of the message and enhances the worship experience. [52:30]
Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: Consider the environment in which you worship. How does it impact your ability to receive and respond to the Word of God? What changes can you make to create a more conducive space for spiritual growth?
Day 5: Authority in the Pulpit
The greatest need in the church today is authority in the pulpit, which comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit. This spiritual authority, rather than outward displays or scholarly prowess, is what truly empowers the preacher to deliver a transformative message. The authority of the Holy Spirit ensures that the message is delivered with power and conviction, leading to genuine transformation in the lives of the congregation. [44:25]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (ESV): "Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
Reflection: Reflect on the role of spiritual authority in your life. How can you seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit to live and speak with authority and conviction in your daily interactions?
Quotes
"The PIM is never to dictate to or to control the pulpit. I think this needs to be said at the present time and said very definitely and emphatically. So that's a postulate that I would lay down that the pew is never to dictate or to control." [00:01:23]
"While it is the duty and the business of the preacher to make an assessment of his congregation, we must be careful that this is a true assessment and an accurate one. This is an extremely important point. This is a thing which is dangerous both from the standpoint of the pulpit and of the pew." [00:08:03]
"The main danger as regards the pulpit in this matter is to assume that all who claim to be Christian and who think they are Christian and were members of the church are of necessity Christian. I think this is the most fatal blunder of all and certainly the commonest." [00:08:45]
"I think I can say quite accurately that the most common experience I have had in conversation with people who've come to me in my vista to discuss the question of becoming members of the church... the commonest answer I have had, particularly in London over 30 years, is this..." [00:10:49]
"The true believer always feels the power of the world and he still can be convicted. Belief in a sense is once and forever, and in another sense, it isn't. And to me, there is something radically wrong with a man who calls himself a Christian who can listen to a truly evangelistic sermon without coming under conviction again." [00:19:47]
"It is inconceivable to me that a man who is a true believer can listen to a presentation of the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the glory of the gospel without being moved in two ways: one is to feel himself again in view of what he knows about the plague of his own heart..." [00:20:41]
"I am suggesting to you that if they put these time limits on your sermons, they are more or less telling you that they are not Christians, that they are lacking in spiritual life. And then why is it that so often they are listless in their very listening?" [00:32:44]
"Now this isn't simply my opinion. I say this on the basis that I am comparing them with what I'm told about the early Christians in Acts 2. This is how they all should be. What are we told about that? This is what we're told about them: and they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine..." [00:35:42]
"Here were Christians, you see, who met every day for this preaching and teaching and instruction, not only on Sunday or once on Sunday and anxious to get home as soon as they could, hoping it to be short and annoyed with the preacher if it isn't so." [00:36:49]
"The greatest need in the church today is this authority in the pulpit. Well, how'd you get it? How can we get this authority? Well, now we've got to be very careful. This has often been a problem and is often being faced in the wrong way." [00:42:09]
"There's only one thing that gives a preacher authority, and that is that he is filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the only authority, and I think that facts prove and substantiate what I'm saying to you." [00:44:25]
"The first essential in the building is that it should have good acoustics. How'd you get that? I'm taking advantage of the opportunity given me to address over two architects. The great rule, the essential rule, is a flat ceiling like you have. You never have any sort of curve." [00:52:30]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?