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Preaching a Dangerous Message
Pastor, you are called to preach a dangerous message.
(Notice I didn’t say an “edgy” message. There is a big difference between dangerous and edgy.)
- Preaching the Gospel of Christ is offensive to men. If you’re being criticized for your sex talks and creative marketing and never for preaching Christ, something might be wrong with your preaching.
- Preaching God’s standards will make some people mad. If your sermons always make people feel better about themselves and you never confront their sin, they won’t likely see their need for a Savior.
- Preaching about the miraculous power of God stirs people up. If your typical message is five steps to a better life, you may be overlooking the one step of truly taking God at His word.
I pray our messages become more Spirit-filled, Scripture-packed, and God-annointed!
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Craig you’re right on. This week I talked about how Jesus offended people everywhere he went. But there were times that he talked about not being offensive. I came to the conclusion that Jesus offended people with truth not Christian liberties. Pastors today in an effort to be “non-offensive” make the mistake of watering down truth in order not to offend. If we would simply preach the truth in love, truth may offend, but then truth will change lives. Jesus said “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Truth is offensive at times, but absolutely necessary to change the hearts of people. Thanks! I really like your blogs.
In general it seems that most churches are focusing on the marketing plan and the building fund instead of the message…
Example…I was collecting 5 dollars for my kids upward basketball coach gift from the parents at practice…(christian league at a local church) one of the dads misunderstood me ( thought I was with that church trying to get money)…he got really “fired up”..when I asked him for five dollars…and said “LOOK I have already contributed to the building fund..I pretty much own a 1/4 of this building..No Thank You!!!!” (and walked off)
I was shocked and thought WOW!! what message does this church body get regarding money , membership and salvation! Churches need to lay down the catchy title meetings, building fund “blood drives” and simply rediscover the power of the word!
Wow! This is SO good. #1 is really encouraging to hear. Thanks, Craig!
I love this post. More and more, I believe pastors are straying away from a gospel focused message and are sugarcoating God’s word. Many pastors are leading their members astray with the “feel good” messages and are leaving out the reality of SIN, its seriousness, and our desperate need for a Savior. My husband’s desire is to church plant one day and his hope is to continue to stand firm on truth and not on a self help, 5 step program to a better life. Does anyone feel like having a holy fear and reverence towards God is slowly disintegrating in the church today as well? I’m seeing it more and more and that people are using “grace” as an excuse to sin because they’re covered anyway. Perhaps we need to rediscover what grace and a healthy fear towards God is all about. Thanks Craig.
This post is right on point. I like how you compared edgy to dangerous.
This is a great set of posts for pastors out there. I was challenged by one of your (Craig’s) posts almost a year ago that changed my life and preaching. You challenged us to believe in the simple power of the Gospel and to leave God to the results. I found myself substituting “God” in place of Jesus so as maybe to not be as offensive. I was convicted!! I began preaching more about Jesus and offering opportunities for people to embrace him. Mark 2:1 - when Jesus showed up, the place was packed out. I know that if we make Him central to our message that our churches will be packed. God has done some amazing things since that time. Thanks Craig for everything. I have no mentor, but you have been one to me through these posts.
I wholeheartedly agree. There is no point in “edgy” sermons for the shock factor i.e. hot topics, crass language etc. A dangerous message is dangerous because it naturally contrasts with the spirit of the age, not because we are seeking to be controversial.
I loved this post. I really liked how you defined “edgy” vs. dangerous. One thought that came to me though is that there is a third catogory - don’t know name for it, but it’s legalistic and angry without being relevant in peoples everyday life. Jesus chastised Pharisees for not being willing to help carry burdens. So how can we be Dangerous yet humble and transparent helping real people with real problems. Sorry, I’m not as creative as Craig so I didn’t come up with a name. Maybe someone could suggest.
I may be misinterpreting some things here, but point two is one of the BIGGEST reasons why people are running away from the church and not towards it.
“Preaching God’s standards will make some people mad. If your sermons always make people feel better about themselves and you never confront their sin, they won’t likely see their need for a Savior. ”
The idea, in my mind (and the minds of a lot of Christians out there), is that it isn’t about making people feel broken or helping them realize they’re sinners. I honestly don’t know God’s standards (and I would argue that none of us do), so trying to “convict” people using them runs the risk of legalism and it often times makes the church look like the judge when really we should have nothing to do with judgment. We’re here as an extention of Christ in the world, which means service, equilateral care, and introducing people to the life changing power of a relationship with the Trinity - in the most loving, compassionate, Christ-like way possible. Maybe I’m just interpreting your message incorrectly. I’d love to hear your response.
Mark, You’ve asked good and fair questions. I think our hearts are probably pretty similar on the issue.
My fear is that too many of today’s messages are more “self help” type messages and don’t let God’s word speak toward our sin condition.
I honestly believe (at least in my context), that when people come to church (even non-believers), they’d like to hear what the Bible says rather than simply good and helpful tips to a better life.
(Sorry for my brief response. I’m on a tight schedule today. I’ll be happy to discuss more as I can.)
I think Mark’s question comes down to how you communicate God’s Word to different audiences. The non-believer needs to know about a compassionate God who wants nothing more than to know them and save them (many know they are sinners, just not that God will forgive them). But I agree that the church (believers) need to understand how to live as Christ followers. We have seen a lot of new growth from non-churched people. I have several in my LifeGroup. They are just now learning what it means to commit to serve, attend regularly, read their Bible and give. I believe that is our challenge as preachers. I believe you can preach God’s standards in a way that shows that they are not given to us just as rules, but for our benefit. We should never teach God’s standards as slaps on the wrist just because. God gave us these standards because it truly is the BEST way to live. Why wouldn’t everyone want to know that? People who get mad when we teach God’s standards are usually upset because of conviction, unless we fail to teach them properly. My .02
I think the problem between these 2 thoughts is the line being addressed in the original blog. It is the dividing line. Craig is not saying offend. He is saying don’t be afraid of offense. The Bible says the Gospel is offensive to those who do not believe. The key I communicate to our church about what we do is that “The Gospel is offensive, so we need to not be.” Avoiding offense is not the goal, avoiding personal offense is. It does not matter whether you are teaching truth to a believer or not. Jesus offended the rich young ruler as much as he did the pharisees. The offense was the message, not the messenger.
Maybe im too late to ask a question but what if I dont offend anyone when I preach about Christ? Im not scared to be dangerous or contreversial but I just dont offend anyone and well is there something wrong?
please someone answer
Thanks
Jesiah, Thanks for your question. Others may want to respond as well. Preaching Christ won’t always be offensive. A lot will depend on who is hearing the message. If I preach that Jesus is the only way to God to all believers, no one will likely be offended. But usually when I preach that message, somehow there are a lot of people who don’t like it. Blessings to you.
Man this is good stuff, I eat it up…
I like Craig that you defined “spirit filled preaching”, by preaching Christ…. that’s the ticket man…
I have definitely been criticized for preaching Christ… and it has been offensive to a lot… including pastors, and church planters, and common everyday folk as well…
But there are some who were encouraged, built up, and many who have been saved with tears and with deep rooted faith in Jesus…
I love making people feel good, and giving them practical advice… but I am addicted to preaching Christ, because it changes people’s lives for the better, and not just now but for eternity…
Woe to me if I don’t preach Christ!
I really like Kirk’s thought of letting the gospel do the offending and not adding it in myself. For me in kids’ ministry, it’s easy to cross the line to be funny or engaging, but it’s such a shortcut and usually ends up distracting from the point. Everything in my message should point to the gospel, not divert attention from its power.
Good stuff Craig…very insightful.
Dear servant of God,this message is right on time and i know you where not the writer but the holy spirit used your hands.Jesus our standard says woe unto you when all men speak good of you,today many pastors don’t want to offend there congregation thereby watering down God’s standard may God continue to use you