Euphemisms

I like euphemisms. The idea you can say something, without saying it, but everyone knows you said it and it is graceful. Fantastic! Euphemisms changed my fat to big boned or fluffy. The used car became pre-owned. My wife went from gorgeous to disarming. And you went from being retarded to differently-abled. Just kidding, you aren't retarded...although you are reading my blog. But my point is the same, the things that we used to say that had shock value are now an adjusted term in our lexicon.

I was reading Matthew 13 this morning and considering the parables about heaven. Jesus' use of parables was similar to our use of euphemisms. Jesus refers to the person who doesn't understand God's word as seed falling along the path. I think the great question is who does this portion of the parable euphemize? This portion I believe speaks more about the teacher than the student. It is the role of the teacher to ensure that the student understands. I once heard that Barna Research Group reported 80% of church goers can't remember what the sermon was about. Even more so can't remember one point. This probably leaves less than one percent that can remember the sermon in it's entirety. I believe this is the fault of the speaker.

Many speakers go one of two routes in order to correct this problem. The first method is to believe that the responsibility lies on the hearer of the word. This way the speaker doesn't have to change or face their own inadequacy. Crime rates would go down if we just began blaming the victim too, but this doesn't fix the problem. Preachers and teachers of the word need to be honest with themselves. The second method of correction is to embody another successful preacher. It amazes me how many Joel Osteens and Rick Warrens are preaching in America, and yet the preachers that were chosen and called by God remain hidden. Today's church is full of McPreachers. The prepackaged, universally known and commercially appealing preacher.

Entertainment is not worship, nor is passionate preaching the same as good preaching. The over analyzing and backward diagnostic came up with this idea. "If good preaching leads to passion, then if you start with passion it will be good preaching." This is specious and a lie against the Word of God. If you are listening to a preacher that is more interested in being a show than a messenger of God, confront them. Let them know you need to be instructed about the incorruptible Word of God, not just hear it as a punch line to a motivational speech. You will know you are taught the Word if you can teach someone else what the passage means when your preacher is through. If you are the preacher that is failing your people, stop casting seed onto the path. Do what is right by your people and teach them the true living Word. Be who God called you to be and don't worry about how "cool" you look. You can of course ignore me, but it is not my judgement that should concern you.