A disclaimer: it isn’t always how a message is preached that determines its effectiveness. It may depend on how carefully it’s received by the listener Matthew 11:15.
For brevity, consider that God holds preachers accountable for the content of their messages. Initiative in preaching, then, lies with the messenger, not the people. They may not initially want mind-stretching messages. But hearing such remains the best way to help disciples prioritize faith in Christ and remove obstacles to deeper commitment to him. Once listening to such messages, believers may be forced to tolerate lesser preaching, but they’ll value what demands more of them. If they desire FEWER demands, they’re in danger of being thorny soil. Thus, the preacher must think more deeply about what he preaches. And listeners must develop the desire to hear something that takes time to mature them in belief and behavior. In summary, Christians would spiritually prosper without the interference of SO MUCH STUFF going on in their lives. And the best corrective of the thorny soil person is preaching that by its power as God’s Word urges obedience to God, not satisfies listeners with self. If STRONG, thoughtful Bible messages won’t change listeners who retain restraining influences that reduce the effectiveness of faith in Christ, WEAK preaching never will. And by preaching better messages the spokesman will at least have discharged his God-appointed duty. Jesus accepted rejection of his word. We need not despair when ours is rejected. As he continued proclaiming God’s truth in powerful ways, we can at least improve our messages to be better instruments of the Holy Spirit’s use. Finale Note: if I can, I’ll avoid lengthy, multi-part blogs. V
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