Radicalis 2010, Part 2

Radical Preaching

I understand that most of Radicalis is for ministers and how they can impact their community, but I think the teaching is relevant to all of those who are not preachers. Why? We are all on the same team and should know what our ministers are trying to accomplish. When we know, we know how to help. Let's face it, every minister is not superman. They need help. That is what the church does collectively (if you are not in a church and serving others - what are you really accomplishing for God?).

Session 2 of Radicalis in my words borrowed from Rick Warren

The basis for preaching is the Great Commission. Yesterday we saw that the first thing we should do is worship with all that we have - put worship first in all our lives. Ministers get too busy sometimes - usually out of expectation. Make sure your pastor is taking time to spend in worship. If they are too busy, ask how you can help! That's how the church works (off soapbox).

As Rick always says, "A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a great church!"

What is the Great Commission and what is it's primary goal?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

So we are to go make disciples (evangelism), baptize them (membership), and teach them to obey (disciple). So the goal of radical preaching becomes to teach obedience:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)

Obedience to the Word of God equips us for "every good work!" The result of radical preaching is developing serving disciples - people who actually do something!

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

Jesus expected people to serve, so are we? Are we teaching obedience in a way that motivates people to actually want to serve Jesus? Or are we creating big guilt trips every Sunday? If people are not leaving Sunday worship motivated to action, then we are falling short of the command of Christ for teaching obedience. Don't get me wrong, preaching should reinforce Church teaching. We fall short of the example of Christ if all we do is teach doctrine and not give a call to action. Look at how Jesus taught:

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:17 (NIV)

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:37 (NIV)

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Matthew 7:26 (NIV)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24 (NIV)

Should I keep going?

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28 (NIV)

Rick Warren gave several examples of how the New Testament preachers gave similar calls to action:

• John the Baptist - Matthew 3:8
• James - James 1:22
• John - 1 John 3:19; 1 John 2:17; 1 John 3:18; 1 John 2:3
• Paul - Ephesians 5:8; Titus 2:1

The truth is we believe the parts of the Bible that we do. According to Rick, all behavior is based on belief.

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Prov 4:23 (MSG)

As a minister, our goal is to change the beliefs or lies people tell themselves that lead to sin. To change belief is a waste of time if we try to change behavior without changing their beliefs! Finding out why people sin is critical to getting to the point of belief. When we know the why, we can show how it is affecting behavior and how it is counter to the way of Jesus.

Now many know that repentance is the change necessary for new life. To be repentant is to change how one thinks about life and accept how God thinks about it. As a minister, our job is to get people to start walking with God by teaching them how to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Only the Word of God changes the minds of people as it is applied in their lives under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

All of that was said to say this: Preaching for repentance should engage people intellectually (the mind), engage them emotionally, and challenge their will. To apply such preaching means we will do one of three things:

1. We will build them up - which is to edify
2. We will fire them up - which is to exhort
3. Or we will hold them up - which is to comfort them

How are you teaching or preaching today? How are you being affected by the ministry of those over you? Are you allowing yourself to be built up, fired up, or held up? Are you building up others, firing them up, or holding them up with your words and your actions?

Our lives and speech preach messages everyday. What have you been preaching lately?