The Divine Crash

On Monday I got some feedback on my sermons that I wrote for an ethics class.  It is a sermon series on forgiveness, it is the same series that I am using for lent as we speak.  I got a B+ because I used strong examples that may get strong responses that should be avoided.  Really, says who?

In these sermons I wrote about forgiveness and the need to forgive our abuser, rapist, and others who have hurt us.  The response from my professor was that these are dangerous examples and should be used with care because of the response they might bring.

I say that is a good thing.  Sermons are supposed to illicit a response.  Rape, abuse, cutting, domestic violence, these are unfortunate happenings in the context of life.  While they should not happen, they do, and if the church does not speak about them and how Jesus speaks a new word into those situations then how will these things ever stop happening?

Should I have gotten an A on these sermons? I don’t know.  What I do know is that when sermons are quiet on the realities of life then how will they stop?

John Wesley (pictured above) once said that preaching is about lighting himself on fire and inviting others to watch him burn.  This will always get a response.

The prophet Ezekiel lit his own poop on fire and then cooked over it…this is a sermon with a point and it will always get a response.

Sermons that do not get a response are simply lectures.

Rick Warren once wrote that the pulpit is the rudder of the church.  The question is do we, as pastors, steer the ship as a rescue boat or as a cruise ship? One goes head on into the dangerous places and the other goes for calm water.

What do you think?

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Random Thoughts, Sermon by RevBT