More often than not the preaching heard from pulpits today is either lacking or akin to a TED talk. With so much emphasis on not offending anyone things have become people driven often relying on what was said in some magazine or book instead of what is written in the word of God. Almost none of the preaching directly revolves around scripture instead focusing on sports anecdotes, book quotes, and feelings. To hear scripture read and expound upon is a rare find.
This has led to the preaching of man’s word instead of God’s and a general fear of offending people. Scripture read is often from modern versions and many have removed references to the blood, male/female, or have subtly reworded things. Two readings from different versions will often give very different ideas on the same verses further eroding from effective preaching. Following the reading of the word has become extremely difficult and most no longer even bring a bible, much less follow along.
The result of such preaching is typically one of two outcomes. Either peoples feelings have been touched or no one remembers anything that was talked about at all. The impact is just not there and its no wonder. God’s word said it would not return unto Him void. In other words, if we preached that alone, it would have profound effects.
There is a hunger and need for the unadulterated teaching of the word of God without compromise. It not only has the power to save, it has the power to change lives. It provided the answers, guidance, and foundation for both the church and born again believer. Pastors need to be less concerned with what pleases man and more with what pleases God. We would all do well to remember that out of 7 churches in the letters to them, only one did not receive any condemnation and one was threatened with removal for being so far off the mark.