“Preach Like You Mean It”

HH and I (both preachers) have started bidding farewell to each other on Sunday mornings saying, “Preach like you mean it.” We both remember a Sunday many years ago when we were worshipping together – in the pews – at one of our home churches and the preacher delivered a powerful and courageous message. As we greeted him on the way out of worship, we said something like: “Wow, that was a brave message. Thank you.” And we’ll never forget his response:

“Thanks. The local clergy association asked us to preach on that issue and we agreed to do it. But I don’t really believe it.”

Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

This article by renowned preacher Tom Long has received some attention this week regarding how perilous preaching has become in our divided culture. Preach Jesus’ words on serving “the least of these” (meaning the hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, sick, lonely) and somebody will call you “woke” and not in a good way. If you read the first thirteen verses of that chapter (Matthew 25) you’ll see that being woke is the point.

As Tom Long wrote:

They didn’t crucify (Jesus) because he preached with cute hand puppets about chicken soup for the soul. They crucified him because his preaching and his presence were a threat to their very political power.

Please read the Tom Long article. Again, it’s here. I have had the same experience as Russell Moore in that people have attacked me (or simply not invited me back to their pulpit) when I’ve preached Jesus’ words about loving our enemies (whether they are Israelis, Palestinians, Democrats, Republicans, etc.) or welcoming the stranger (whether they are Muslim, Hindu, homeless, or just “not from around here.”)

We have closed off opportunities to listen to those with whom we disagree to the point that we have even closed off the words of Jesus.

One of the differences between Christian Nationalists and Christians who are trying to follow Jesus is that I haven’t yet heard or met a single Christian Nationalist who believes that the words of Jesus are applicable for today. Turning the other cheek and making sacrifices for the poor are no longer considered “patriotic” or “strong.”

As Rob Bell has said, “Weak is the new strong” at least in God’s Word.

And so if we happen to listen to a sermon this weekend or anytime soon, consider how that message – assuming it’s based on Scripture – challenges us to think/live/speak/love differently. Chances are that – if we are challenged – we are authentically experiencing God’s Word for us.

Image of Mount Precipice in Israel. I was privileged to be there in July 2023 with some of the best preachers I know. You can read why Jesus’ home church wanted to throw him off a cliff after his first sermon here.