Articles
Preach Like Jesus!
Entire libraries could be filled with the books that have been written about the Bible, and slightly smaller libraries could be filled with books that have been written about the preaching of the gospel — what it should contain, what should be omitted, when it should be preached, where it should be preached, why it should be preached, and how it should be preached. As one preacher once wrote, “Christ is continually presented by preachers to their people as an example of their spiritual and practical living; and it must seem strange that he is not oftener presented as an example for their own spiritual and professional work.” [Edwin Holt Hughes, Effective Preaching, “The Preaching of Jesus—An Example,” p. 123.]
I cannot answer for other preachers and teachers of the gospel, but Christ’s example is something I have noted from time to time as one we should follow even in our preaching and teaching, being He is the Master Teacher. I know others have stated as much, and others, I would guess, have taught the same from the pulpit, in organized Bible classes, and even one-on-one Bible studies. Jesus is most certainly the example for our teaching and preaching!
But, as you might have already wondered, what does that mean to ‘preach like Jesus’? For this short study, I will take the four points Mr. Hughes made in his speech/article and put them in a way that will hopefully be easy to remember. Those who are preachers and teachers of the gospel would do well to note and emulate these things, that we might all be more effective in our efforts.
Sincerity. The challenge for some teachers of the gospel is to do so with conviction and boldness, while simultaneously not appearing to be pompous, arrogant, or glory-seeking. The challenge for all teachers — especially teachers of this most important message, the gospel — is to also present the message in a way the hearers believe you believe it, too.
When we consider the example of Jesus, we see neither an attitude of uncertainty about the message, or an overbearing authoritarian dictating and demanding unquestioned obedience. [Don’t misunderstand: He most certainly demands obedience, but leaves man free to choose; of course, each will have to face the consequences of disobedience, too (2 Thess. 1:8).] What we see is what those who heard Jesus saw: “the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28, 29). This one who “taught…as one having authority” was one who could also honestly say, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). The power and effectiveness of the preaching of Jesus was, of course, the message, but how He delivered that message was what got the attention of the hearers, and what kept some listening.
Simplicity. If you know me, you know I’m a word nerd, who loves to learn new words, the meaning and origin of old words, and enjoys using word play to make points in a humorous and memorable way in my secular life. As a speaker, I also know that if I use every word in my vocabulary, there will be some who miss the point within the lesson, or anything within that lesson. I must use words my hearers will easily understand. Something I learned in Junior High Journalism class has stuck with me ever since, and applies when speaking, too: Speak and write on an eighth-grade level; those who are more educated will not feel like you are talking beneath them, and those who are less educated will not feel like you are talking above them. The whole point of a lesson, whether a sermon or in a Bible study or Bible class, is to get the point across to the listeners in a way they understand. If anyone who teaches has the goal of impressing the audience with his vast and extensive vocabulary, that person needs to either change his attitude, or quit teaching altogether.
When we consider the example of Jesus, we note that He used parables often, and used elements within those parables most of the audience could understand easily — things like sheep, seeds, leaven, and fishing.
(Matt. 13). Today, we might use elements such as technology, automobiles, sports, and the Internet. Speak truth, yes; but on the level of your audience so the lesson is most effective. The basic point here is that the lesson must be something every hearer must be able to understand that they may then be able to find application to themselves; otherwise, it is a wasted effort.
Sensitive. This requires the speaker or teacher know his audience, whether in a Bible class setting, in a one-on-one study, or preaching to an auditorium. It does not necessarily mean the speaker or teacher has to know the personal details of every person in the audience, but the more information one can get will be helpful in transmitting information to the hearer in such a way as to not offend or disturb. That is not to say “We must never offend,” for that is not always even possible; one who has a love for truth will welcome it, while one who doesn’t like certain truths will inevitably take offense when that unliked truth is taught.
Consider again the example of Jesus. When Lazarus died, Jesus did not tell Mary and Martha they were silly for their weeping because He knew He would raise Lazarus; instead, we find “Jesus wept” right along with them (John 11:35). The ones who saw this saw the sensitivity of Jesus in that situation and said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:36). Should we be surprised to later read, “Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him” (John 11:45)? Try to think how effective Jesus would have been in that scenario had He been insensitive to their situation! When people saw how much Jesus cared for them, He no doubt softened the hearts of some who might not have listened otherwise. Let us take that to heart and also be sensitive to the situation of our hearers, that their hearts might also be softened and hear the truth willingly.
Seriously. The matter of the gospel is not a light one; Cornelius was told to send for Simon Peter, “who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14); when Jesus asked some disciples if they, too, would leave Him [after some departed when He said some hard sayings], Peter answered correctly, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68). Clearly, this is not something on the same level of the latest baseball scores, the weather, or even politics; this is a matter of our sins and of our eternal fate. This is serious!
The words of Jesus and about Jesus [the gospel] are of such importance that our eternal fate rests on how we respond to them. Jesus, in fact, said, “the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48); Paul concurred, saying, “God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel” (Rom. 2:16). Friends and brethren, if these truly are the words by which a man can be saved, the words of eternal life, and the words by which we will be judged, we must preach and teach them with the seriousness they deserve. Making light of them, or preaching and teaching without the serious demeanor they deserve may give a false impression to the hearer that they are of no consequence. Let us preach and teach, instead, with all seriousness.
Christ is our example in all things, including our preaching. — Steven Harper
