Rightly Handling the Word of Truth in Preaching?

Today Rachel and I visited a church in Fredericktown neither one of us had visited before but about which we had heard positive things. Services for Meadow Heights were cancelled, so we ventured out into the frosty air to worship the Lord with new people.

I was disappointed during the service, mostly because I was missing--and still miss--my brothers and sisters from FBC-St. Peters. The other reasons are lack of depth and expositional preaching. The message spoken was true but barely tethered to God's Word by way of Scripture proclamation. I have trouble with preaching like this because it is not false, but it is not couched in Authority, so I don't trust it. I know where I stand, but if someone asks me what I think about what I heard, I'm not sure how to answer them because I don't want to promote a critical spirit. (I struggled with this sort of thing for three years, so I'm gun-shy.)

I think a line about theology from Sjogren and Robison's Cat and Dog Theology applies here: The message is "not incorrect--it is just incomplete" (100). How can the hearers know the richness and many dimensions of the Word if the Word is not preached entirely, and how can the Word be preached entirely if only three non-consecutive verses are cited in a sermon? It seems more profitable and honorable to preach the Word (instead of a topic) and let It dictate the main body, implications, and applications of the sermon instead of limiting the Bible to supporting evidence.

On the flip side, the Holy Spirit works in people's hearts through either form of preaching, and the preacher in this service did proclaim Jesus. Do I have grounds to even be disappointed in the sermon I heard? (I even have trouble calling it a sermon.) I entered that sanctuary thirsty for a preaching of the Word and felt as though I received only a few drops of water. I expected that I would need to use my Bible but actually didn't. Jesus being proclaimed is good (duh), so I can't knock the preacher too hard, right? I'm thinking of the attitude Paul had in Philippians 1:15-18. At the same time, Paul commanded Timothy, pastor of the Church at Ephesus, to preach the Word.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 3:16-4:5)

So, what do you think? Are preachers who preach a true message from biblical principles but barely reference the Bible rightly handling the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15)?

Review of 2010: A Look at the Lord's Work, Organized by Location

Well, I am back in Saint Louis until Christmas. (I've been here since October.) This makes the fifth residance of this year. I like that I have moved so much because I am learning to adapt quicker to new locations and new people—even though in most cases I have known the people already and just haven’t seen them in a while. Each location has its unique contribution to this season of preparation and seeking the will of the Lord.

Saint Louis (Dorm)—I finished my B.A. in Religion by working very hard. After slacking in my schoolwork in the fall and consequently receiving conviction from the Holy Spirit, I essentially completed two Greek courses in one semester along with Hebrew and some other courses. I attended the Together for the Gospel conference in April, which meant I had to complete my finals and most coursework two weeks early. T4G was amazing and one of the highlights of the year. I came to know God as my Comforter better than ever after Rachel left in January for six months to work in South Asia. God taught me in these four months the value and reward of hard work in the responsibilities that He gives me, and I appreciated even more my brothers and sisters of FBC-St. Peters.

Saint Peters—After graduation I moved in with a couple friends who are married and live near FBC. During this time, the Lord taught me how to wait on Him (something He started teaching me a long time ago but came to the fore in a particular situation) and to make good use of the time in non-busyness. One can live idolatrously in busyness, and one can just as easily live idolatrously in idleness. He also reinforced enjoyment of the seemingly mundane and thankfulness of simple pleasures in life. Also during this time, I studied my friends’ marriage and sat in on a couple marriage counseling classes in church.

Fredericktown—Moving in with the ‘rents was supposed to last only a month, but my stay extended to two after my mom was diagnosed with diabetes. For two months I helped cook and clean and aided my mom in transitioning to a diabetic diet. I was able to gain some skill in cooking and enjoyed even more the country and its pace of life. Rachel came home from overseas—my original reason for living in Fredericktown—and stayed for a month before returning to work and school. That was an exciting time for our family but also a hard one. We faced many challenges and a few trials in just a few weeks. I struggled at the end of those weeks, and the Lord reminded me the importance of ingesting the Word of God, my spiritual food. He also reminded me of the depravity of my natural human condition, for I was put to the test many instances and in many ways, and I did not always pass. At the end, however, I had endured by His grace. I certainly got to know my parents better and had some good times with both of them individually.

Louisville—Oh, my goodness! Did I ever have such a full month! I moved to Louisville for a month (in between NANC CDT conference weekends) and stayed with Rachel and her roommate Heather. There I unexpectantly became involved in international ministry/North American missions. The Lord put a few int’l women into my lap, and I love them. He also gave me a great group of friends, some also being brothers and sisters in Christ. I hung out on Southern Seminary’s campus a little bit, sat in on a couple classes, and attended some of the chapel services. I visited a few different churches for future reference and met the challenge of knowing what should be deal-breakers for membership. In this month, the Lord Jesus confirmed that I should move to Louisville in January. He showed me that self-evaluation for the sake of sanctification should not require as much attention as I was giving it. He did this by busying me with ministry that I thought and prayed more for others and realized that God uses ministry to further sanctification and uses sanctification to further ministry. Who would have thought? God allowed me to experience a risk-taking faith by which I did things for which I had no formal training. It was during this time that the Lord turned me back to missions and Bible translation, though I have not committed to them yet.

Saint Louis—After the last weekend of the NANC conference, I moved into my friend Gaby’s apartment. Early on I was discontent and restless, feeling like I had lost my purpose after Kingdom work in Louisville. God provided Scripture and people to help me through it. Now I am settled in and even attached but still anticipating my return to ministry in Louisville. Also I felt spoiled because I had a large shower, a bed, a full-size kitchen, silverware, etc. I was here again able to enjoy the fellowship, love, and teaching of FBC-St. Peters. It rips my heart out even now as I type to think of leaving my dear brothers and sisters. I just spent my last Sunday with them, for which I am very thankful and with whom I shared the Lord’s Supper. Tomorrow will be my last Wednesday evening with them. I would like to one day become a member of this church, but only the Lord knows if that is in store for me. In little or plenty, busyness or non-busyness, company of believers or unbelievers, fellowship of church family or not, I am to be content.

And so God has led me lovingly through highs and lows, and I am confident that I am more like His Son Jesus Christ now than when I first began 2010. It was the most difficult year I have lived but also the most different and maybe the best. It is an encouragement to look back and observe the lessons God has taught me and the trials He’s brought me through because it means He’s working in and through me, pruning me as I abide in Him. To Him be the glory. Now the plan is to move to Louisville in January, where I will let the roots go deep instead of continual transplants. I am open to whatever the Lord has in store, I think, for no matter where I go, He is always with me.

Note: I realize that I have frequently used phrases like “God taught me,” “God showed me,” etc., in this post without seating them in Scripture. All I’ve learned mentioned here does not contradict Scripture, however, so I recognize them as legitimate.