In part one in this series of blog entries, Leighton Ford shared how every sermon should have the gospel at its core and an invitational edge. This invitational edge means the gospel must be presented in a manner that is clear and fresh, visible, winsome and strong, and urgent and compelling. But what does that look like? In this entry, Ford begins to unpack his convictions with a look at how we can preach the gospel in clear and fresh ways.
The late Henri Nouwen in Preaching and Ministry wrote that practically no one comes to church expecting to hear something they did not already know. "The last thing they expect to come from a pulpit is any news."
So here is one challenge: how do we preach the gospel as fresh to those for whom it seems stale?
Too often preaching has suffered an "imaginational cramp" (Simone Tugwell), nailing Jesus inside our own small categories, gutting truth by tiresome repetitions. But the gospel itself is grand and rich and flowing. It weaves more threads into a lovely pattern than a Celtic cord, reflects more facets than a diamond turned about in the light.
The "godspell" has almost endless variations: the "gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 24:14); the "gospel of God's grace" (Acts 20:24); the "gospel of God" (Rom. 1:1); the "gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16); "the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:4). Yet it has a singular focus: "We proclaim Christ." It makes clear that God has come near to us in Christ.
Karl Barth was once asked if he did not agree that God had revealed himself in many religions besides Christianity. "No," he answered (in true Barthian fashion), "God has not revealed himself in any religion, including Christianity. He has spoken in his son, Jesus Christ."
Always the heart of the gospel is the same: Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ will come again! Yes, but how to express these non-negotiables in fresh ways?
In our postmodern world, many see the gospel as neither good nor news. Perhaps this is because we have simplified it and "codified" it too carelessly. "Accept Jesus and you'll go to heaven. Don't and you won't." True, but not meant to become a truism.
Rick Richardson in his book Reimagining Evangelism, got it right: "The biggest missing piece in our understanding of the gospel has to do with our angle of vision." A kingdom angle gives an eschatological vision: God breaks into our world through Jesus to set all things right; and we can enter into God's rule by turning to God's way, putting our trust in Jesus, and becoming part of his special (covenant) people.
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Posted by Brian Lowery at 8:15 AM on July 10, 2008
