PREACHING THAT CHANGES LIVES
Part 3
By Ralph Sutera
There certainly is no lack of preaching, but there seems to be a deficit in changed lives. Here are many professions, but one must question how much real spiritual possession. Even great pastors question how many in their congregations are genuinely a part of God's family. Could it be that we should look at modern preaching as a possible cause?
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE ESSENTIAL IN PREACHING THAT CHANGES LIVES?
3. The Lordship of Christ must be central.
Closely connected to the character of God is the importance of Christ's Lordship. When the message centers on what we can get from Christ Who works for them rather than making Him Lord and Master of our lives, the result is a western-styled capitalistic approach to God.
Some only want a sin-forgiving Christ to relieve their conscience from guilt. Others merely want a miracle-working Christ to produce for tem what is beyond man's human ability to produce. Still others only want a "utilitarian" Christ who will help meet their needs in paying their bills. And, still others only want a Christ who will provide them a "fire escape" from hell.
While our Lord can do all these things, far too many never grasp the truth of His being Lord of their lives with surrender and servanthood to this Christ. Christian experience is perceived by many to be where man comes to God to "get all he can, can all he gets, and sit on the lid." If man in his depraved heart can get God to work for him, he will make some kind of profession to gain the benefits – especially if it includes that "fire escape" from hell.
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