Most of worship is repetitive: Creed, hymns, offering, prayers. The novelty each week is in the sermon - or is it? What exactly is the preacher trying to do? While we may think we're listening to the preacher's fresh ideas via catchy stories or memorable soundbytes, good sermons are utterly unoriginal. The subject matter was defined centuries back, and there are really only about five sermons, repeated over and over. A sermon is like putting a new frame around an old painting, setting the familiar in a new perspective; or the sermon is like the docent in the museum drawing the viewer's attention to a particular set of brushstrokes, or the painter's usage of color. Nothing is new; yet the surprises of what is old are not yet exhausted, and they wait for us to notice, and then - perhaps a bit differently from viewing a painting - to do something.
Richard Lischer wrote, "What the preacher comes up with is not so much a new meaning but a new performance of the text, one that will enable its listeners to perform it themselves in their daily lives." Listening to a sermon is not like sitting in speech class, rating the skill of the orator. Instead we ask, "Is there any word from the Lord?" (Jeremiah 37:17). This Word is not necessarily heard in the slickest, funniest, most charming speech. In fact, a smooth, clever oration, intoned with a resonant baritone, may shove the still small voice of God aside - and the listener is impressed with the talker and does not notice God, who can and does speak through the preacher who lacks theatrical gifts...
Preachers do not try to guess what you want said, or to flatter you or buttress your preconceived notions about God and the world. Scripture is read, and through that lens we hunt for the intersection between that ancient Word and life in this place and time. Barbara Brown Taylor says the preacher is like Cyrano de Bergerac, supplying words and passing notes between two would-be lovers. So the preacher cannot do the work alone! Listening is a labor of love - for preacher and pew-sitters.
Can we overhear God's Word in the words? and are we prepared to perform that Word in our lives? How can I be a good listener? Come with an open mind; ratchet up your expectations. Do not sit back in judgment and decide whether you agree or disagree. Expect that a true, faithful, honest word from God will crowd your style, step on your toes, expose your ideas as half-baked, rattle you, and even bring you comfort and hope when you were numb to the possibility. Get yourself ready to hear - during the service, before the service, during the week. Pray, thumb through the passage ahead of time, converse with friends before and after. Then we see right through the preacher and, poised for action, we ask "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10).
James
james@mpumc.org
Sunday's sermon on the golden calf episode in Exodus 32 may be heard here.
Coming up:
eWorship16 - The Sacraments
eWorship17 - Baptism
eWorship18 - The Lord's Supper
eWorship19 - Praying for Others
eWorship20 - Repentance and Forgiveness
The complete eWorship series may be found on our web site.
