Preaching

I have an idea what preaching is. . .or should be about. I have heard a lot of Preachers over the years – some good, some better, some not so much. I do know that when we use the word to speak of the supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the matchless Truth of Scripture, there is an absolute uniqueness about the process.

Most folks in our society don’t get that. For example –

Listen to Pope Francis preach and you start to notice some patterns. His homilies are not complicated. He speaks in stories and images, and sticks to one simple theme. He does not worry about name-dropping or citing doctrines, texts and authors. He gets the people to laugh. (TIME)

Pope Francis is similar in style to a Preacher from the past, and yet vastly different. His name was Jesus, of Nazareth. He spoke in parables (loosely translated – stories) and incomparable images, and always had one simple theme – TRUTH. The Pope and Jesus differ in other ways as well. Jesus was all about “name-dropping” (think: My Father), citing doctrines (check His use of Old Testament Truth), texts (which became the words of the New Testament), and authors (i.e. the Holy Spirit). He undoubtedly was able to make the people laugh, but more often, His words were piercing, cutting, separating, and convicting.

The reality is Jesus spoke with clarity and authority the TRUTH of God. The Pope seldom does. And that is the issue, you see. Many are are beginning to think of Francis as a “good old boy.” And that’s a shame. He speaks to so many. If only they could hear from him – the Gospel. . . .