The High Cost of Generic Preaching

Preaching the gospel is not an easy task. It is not easy, nor pleasant, to give the people what they need to equip them to be strong and stand for the truth. And preachers, like everyone else, can grow weary in well doing. Thus some drift into generic preaching. It is not only easier, but it pleases the crowds and the congregation seems at peace. Generic preaching pleases many elders because they, same as the preacher, grow weary of the effort that goes with distinctive Bible preaching and teaching.

When I talk about “generic” preaching I mean (1) opposite of distinctive preaching, (2) the preaching of general sermons with no specific application given, (3) preaching the “smooth” things to make people feel comfortable, (4) sermons that never make one feel he needs to make changes in his life, (5) no controversial, nor militant lessons, (6) not laying it on the line, (7) preaching like water, seeking the path of least resistance.

I did not say generic preaching was teaching of error, but one can preach these type lessons week after week, never teaching any error, while starving a congregation to death. Many preachers are giving the pew what they want instead of what they need. We ask ourselves why so many preachers are embracing this type preaching?

In his book, The Kingdom Of Promise And Prophecy, R.L. Whiteside told the story of a man talking to a gospel preacher. The man asked, “Why do we not have great gospel sermons like those we used to hear?” The reply was, “There is no demand for them.” He went on to ask, “Have we reached the point where preaching is trimmed down to fit the demands of the times?”

Cary McMullen, a newspaper writer, wrote an article in the Times Daily of Florence Alabama stating, “Many Americans are selecting a place of worship where they feel comfortable.” The results of a George Gallup, Jr. poll stated, “Too often the faith professed by folks is superficial, with people not knowing what they believe or why.” He further stated, “Americans tend to view faith as a matter between them and God, to be aided, but not necessarily influenced, by religious institutions.” I am sure all those surveyed were not members of the church, but this is the same attitude expressed by many of God’s people.

God intends for each individual to examine the things taught in light of his word. Bible knowledge is the Christian’s defense against apostasy, sin, and false teachers. But in the real world, we all know that when people are as busy as most are today, Bible study suffers. Many begin to seek the minimum they can do. They do not want to hear preaching that demands something of them. The demand of the day becomes “watered down” preaching. And there always seems to be some preachers ready to answer the call, while some elders allow, and even encourage it.

As with most seeds, the seed of apostasy needs prepared and fertile ground. And history has proven that one of the best ways to prepare a congregation for apostasy is for preachers to become lax in preaching the whole council of God, and begin preaching general sermons.

I do not believe any of those preaching such have the intention of allowing sin and error to creep into the flock. In fact, they believe they are doing what is best for the congregation. But, once a congregation becomes accustomed to the peace and harmony of generic preaching, they will become soft and unprepared for battle. They become easy prey and will watch the battles from their seat on top of the fence.

Look around at the congregations that once were known for “strong” distinctive preaching and members that answered the battle cry when danger threatened, but today cry neutrality or church autonomy when issues arise. They know the truth, but many don’t want to go through the stress of battle because they have become weak from a lack of solid food. But, does the Lord really allow any to remain neutral during a battle for truth? “In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them” (Obad. 10). Do they not know the deafening sound of their silence speaks loud and clear of the side they have chosen? Yes, they have become as one of them, whether they like it or not.

Thus, we see the lack of distinctive Bible preaching taking its toll today. The division that the church is experiencing today is a good example. Many in the Lord’s church do not even know there is a division among us. Many preachers choose to not preach about the issues because they say, “We don’t have that problem here, and we just don’t preach about it.” The best way to have a problem is not to preach about it.

Because so many, even in the “conservative” ranks, tend to think liberally about such things as dress, attendance, dancing, social drinking, marriage, divorce and remarriage, creation, God’s grace, mixed swimming, the role of the elders, church autonomy, who is a false teacher, and even baptism, this type thinking is allowed to exist because of generic preaching! All that is needed for them to apostatize is for a preacher to get up in the pulpit and agree with them, or at least find a loophole. And some preachers have already answered the call, loud and clear, by teaching that some moral and doctrinal matters can be fellowshipped using Romans 14. This allows fellowship of all the above and much more. If not, how do we choose what to leave out? This false doctrine has such far reaching consequences that we can only imagine what it will affect, even in future generations.

Already a great price is being paid because of the division this false teaching has brought among us. Many preachers that stood side by side in defense of Bible authority and fellowship during the institutional battle now stand divided. Bible authority and fellowship are still the issue, but some have moved from the stand they once took. It is sad to see that some, in the past, would cry out in anger at some of the same things they themselves will preach, teach, or fellowship today. This not only puts their soul in danger, but also they are influencing a great number of people who have confidence in them.

We are already paying a great price among many congregations that once fellowshipped each other’s meetings but are now silently shunning each other. There is a deadly quietness that separates friends and even families concerning the issues. One brother said, “This will be a silent split.” This is exactly what is happening, but the lines are becoming clearer each day.

We are paying a great price for generic preaching because the church will lose its identity if it continues. As I read the advertisements of some churches of Christ, I am amazed at the similarity with the denominational ads. It is difficult to know what they believe anymore, because they don’t declare it as they once did. The all- sufficiency and distinctiveness of the church need to be declared.

The old saying, “As the pulpit goes, so goes the church” is very true. It is the preacher’s responsibility to “preach the word” as talked about in Nehemiah 8:8: “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Paul tells Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim 4:2). We need a balance of preaching that can be understood by all in the pew.

We must get back to distinctive Bible preaching with common sense and lessons learned. When this kind of preaching is being done the people don’t have to wonder what has been said or what point was being made. When folks leave the assembly after hearing a sermon on immodest dress there should not be any doubt in their mind that they should cover their nakedness. Ladies, young and old, should know to cover their legs and chest so the men serving the Lord’s table don’t have to close their eyes while passing the tray. Instead, many times we hear some preachers trying to find “loopholes” that will allow folks to dress in the style and fashion that pleases them. And, if they can’t find a “loophole,” they will water down or apologize for God’s principles to the point the sermon is worthless.
When a congregation hears a sermon on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, they should understand that marriage is, as Tom Roberts preached: “One man, one woman, for life, with only one exception.” They should understand putting away one’s mate for any cause other than fornication is not lawful.

The congregation needs to know what the issues are and how to combat them. The congregation needs to be equipped with knowledge that will allow them to recognize error no matter where it raises its ugly head. And whether we like it or not, the preacher leads the charge.

We need first principle sermons to get people saved and distinctive preaching about how to stay saved. We need to hear sin called sin and direct application made to the pew where the preaching is being done. Some young people have never heard this type preaching, and it has been a long time for many who are older. Our young need to be indoctrinated in the whole council of God, and only distinctive preaching and teaching will get it done.

There are some things that don’t seem wrong, in and of themself, but history has proven they can lead to places a Christian doesn’t need to go. This is where we need to apply lessons learned. We need to look where the practice has led others who did the same thing and warn the people not to go there.

There are times the congregation needs good uplifting, encouraging sermons that makes them feel good. And, there are times toes need to be stomped all over and hearts made heavy to help folks stay on the right path. This is where we need to use common sense, knowing the needs of the congregation.

No, it is not as hard to preach about general sin, as it is to point out specific sins of those in the few you are facing. That is why it is to difficult for some to do distinctive preaching. One older preacher said he thought he might could “let up” as he got elder, but found this was not true.

Yes, the “Great Battle” of the past few decades was very tiresome and some folks have grown weary of pointed sermons, but preachers and elders need to remember that, if souls are to be saved, the gospel must be preached and preached boldly. And sometimes they have to raise their voice to get the attention of those at ease in Zion.

Bottom line, the “High Cost of Generic Preaching” will be paid with many souls in the pew and the blood will be on the hands of preachers and elders that failed to blow the warning trumpet.

(Editor’s Note: The preceding article was written by one of the elders of the East Florence congregation. Brother Howard was not “raised in the church,” but basically converted himself out of Methodism during the 1960s. I, for one, appreciate his stand for truth and doing his work to the best of his ability. . . . He addresses a real problem many churches are facing: an evangelist not truly doing his work according to Paul’s charge in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and congregations putting up with and even endorsing such failure. We commend his concerns to you. Shawn Smith)

From the East Florence Contender, June 2000

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