Motivations for Preaching
As I traveled today, I talked to one of my best friends, Benjie Loyd. Benjie is a pastor in Dry Creek, LA. Yes. That's the name of the place. Benjie is a tremendous Bible preacher and wonderful pastor of a flock of about 350. We talked, as usual, about preaching... and books about preaching and lectures on preaching. Benjie recently listened to an audio file by Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Pres. in NY. Keller is an amazing Gospel-centered preacher in the heart of a tough city. According to Benjie, Keller said something that riveted me....
Keller said that when he started preaching, he wanted to preach well so that "he would look good." The next motivation, as he matured, was that he wanted "the church to look good," since he was the pastor of it.
The next motivation that he experienced, in this growth process, was for "the Scriptures to look good." He moved from personal glory and the glory of his church, to having a deep burden to rightly expound the Scriptures. This is a good motivation. This is a great motivation. Every faithful preacher should desire to be faithful to the inspired text.
But then Keller says that we should seek yet another motive: "to make Jesus look good." Indeed, this third and fourth motivation are related. But ultimately, the goal of preaching is to glorify Christ who is the center of the Bible and the center of life.
I can honestly admit that I have experienced all of these motivations in my growth as a preacher. Sadly, at times, I have longed to be admired and praised for my preaching. I have also deisred to preach well so that our church at Temple would be admired and highly esteemed - which is not a bad thing. And I have desired to magnify the truth of Scripture. This is my prayer every week, that when I lay down to go to sleep on Sunday nights, I should be able to lay down and say, "your truth was made known through this clay pot." But what I really want to want more than anything is that Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, the Savior of my sinful soul, the Alpha and Omega, would shine forth like the dawn and be made much of in my preaching. In the words of the Apostle, I desire to preach nothing but "Christ and Him crucified."
This was a good word for me this week, with all of my preaching responsibilities. What people need week in and week out is to know that Christ is mighty to save; that He is sufficient for all our needs. Tomorrow I am preaching on the pursuit of holiness, which is nothing more than the pursuit of Christ-likeness, which is made possible through the power of Christ himself, the True Vine. Then on Sunday morning, we will look at Jesus agonizing in the Garden, as the one who would go to the cross to satisfy God's justice and save sinners (Mark 14). And finally, my hope on Sunday night will be to unpack the doctrine of sin, and to do it in such a way that we realize the astonishing grace of Jesus who became our sin-bearing substitute. May Christ be magnified through the preaching of His Word.
Longing to Long for Christ's glory more and more with you,
Pastor Tony
Keller said that when he started preaching, he wanted to preach well so that "he would look good." The next motivation, as he matured, was that he wanted "the church to look good," since he was the pastor of it.
The next motivation that he experienced, in this growth process, was for "the Scriptures to look good." He moved from personal glory and the glory of his church, to having a deep burden to rightly expound the Scriptures. This is a good motivation. This is a great motivation. Every faithful preacher should desire to be faithful to the inspired text.
But then Keller says that we should seek yet another motive: "to make Jesus look good." Indeed, this third and fourth motivation are related. But ultimately, the goal of preaching is to glorify Christ who is the center of the Bible and the center of life.
I can honestly admit that I have experienced all of these motivations in my growth as a preacher. Sadly, at times, I have longed to be admired and praised for my preaching. I have also deisred to preach well so that our church at Temple would be admired and highly esteemed - which is not a bad thing. And I have desired to magnify the truth of Scripture. This is my prayer every week, that when I lay down to go to sleep on Sunday nights, I should be able to lay down and say, "your truth was made known through this clay pot." But what I really want to want more than anything is that Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, the Savior of my sinful soul, the Alpha and Omega, would shine forth like the dawn and be made much of in my preaching. In the words of the Apostle, I desire to preach nothing but "Christ and Him crucified."
This was a good word for me this week, with all of my preaching responsibilities. What people need week in and week out is to know that Christ is mighty to save; that He is sufficient for all our needs. Tomorrow I am preaching on the pursuit of holiness, which is nothing more than the pursuit of Christ-likeness, which is made possible through the power of Christ himself, the True Vine. Then on Sunday morning, we will look at Jesus agonizing in the Garden, as the one who would go to the cross to satisfy God's justice and save sinners (Mark 14). And finally, my hope on Sunday night will be to unpack the doctrine of sin, and to do it in such a way that we realize the astonishing grace of Jesus who became our sin-bearing substitute. May Christ be magnified through the preaching of His Word.
Longing to Long for Christ's glory more and more with you,
Pastor Tony
posted by Tony Merida at
4:57 PM
3 Comments:
Bro. Tony
just wanting you to know that you have an amazing gift. my family and I feel so blessed to be under your teaching. I am especially thankful that my kids are able to hear about Jesus. and I know in this church that they will always hear true scripture. We pray for you that God would continue to give you a word and the ability to teach each so plainly. that everyone can understand. Thank you for all you do and for who you are.
T,
Thought of you today. Just wanted to shout out.
L Dizzle
Pastor Tony,
I've been traveling for a couple of weeks and have really missed my Sunday worship at Temple. Just so you'll know, I always look forward to downloading the sermons when I'm away, and staying current with your blog. You're a blessing to me. All for God's Glory!
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