Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Sermon illustrations

One of the hardest things about preaching in another culture can be sermon illustrations. I'm probably more aware of this than many because I've seen more than one brother from the States use an example from everyday life (in the States) that falls flat in the Caribbean because they're not familiar with it. Wolves attacking a flock is foreign here--there have never been any wolves and flocks of sheep are uncommon. To be sure we have sheep (not wool sheep, but hair sheep) and goats, but they are generally tied out singly, or with a baby. In fact, the goat or sheep is more often the problem when they get loose and get into a garden.

Jesus used lots of illustrations when He preached--the parables are simply longer illustrations. As the master teacher, He knew people don't remember what they don't understand, so He used examples and illustrations to help them understand. Our audience today is no different. Think back to when someone gave you directions to get somewhere. Most people will give you landmarks along the way, especially if street signs are unavailable. If you're familiar with the area, the landmarks are easy to remember and help confirm you're on the right road (or not). But if you're not familiar with the area you will most likely forget many or all of the landmarks--you don't "understand" them, so you forget them. Rom. 6:1-5 uses the figure of death, burial, and resurrection to help us see the relationship of repentance, baptism, and salvation. In repentance we put to death the old man of sin, who must then be buried in baptism, and we are then raised to walk in newness of life.

Illustrations have gotten a bad name because some preachers misuse them. We've all heard preachers who tell so many stories, jokes, etc. that you forget the point of the sermon and that is certainly wrong. The Word of God is to be the source of authority, not man's books, poems, etc. But there is a real need for illustrations, especially when it comes to application of God's Word to my life. Sermons dealing with marital relations, raising children, relations with co-workers, become real when real life illustrations are used. People who don't want to see a principle can hardly help from seeing it when a good illustration is used.

I find telling the Bible stories works for me. I try to either quote or read key phrases from the text, but will also use the language people today would use sometimes. Do some preachers "jazz it up" too much? No doubt; and others play fast and loose with the text, which is also dangerous. Working in St. Croix I realized that in the Old Testament we would read the account, then I would retell it so people understood it, which amounted to a double reading. I finally decided to just tell the story, letting them read it at home before we studied. Like everything else telling the story well takes practice--it can't be too long, but you can't leave out too much of the detail either. I think some of the Bible stories are funny--the man born blind of John 9, for example, but the point of illustrations should not be get people laughing.

Now going back to my opening point--make sure your illustrations are understood by your audience. I once heard a preacher say, "Sister ______ was the only one in the ladies class that understood my barnyard illustrations." I immediately thought that if only one person in the class understood those illustrations he obviously needed other illustrations. You might be amazed at the impact local illustrations have--some years ago I was preaching in Mexico and while at a meal something was said about unexpected company coming for a meal, so "I just added more water to the beans". In the South someone might say "I put another bean in the pot" or "I peeled another potato". Later that week I preached about Jesus feeding the 5,000 and made the point that this was not "just adding more water to the beans". From the comments afterward it was obvious they understood the point--after feeding 10,000-20,000 people Jesus had more left over than what He started with. And isn't that the whole point?

Tol

Monday, September 22, 2008

Using Words


Having spent time in 3 widely separated Spanish speaking areas this summer, I've been amused at the words that are different. To the left you see an orange tree (I hope), a "naranja" in Mexico or "china" here in Puerto Rico. This is true especially of foods--"mani" here, "cacahuate" in Mexico (peanut in English). Avocado is aguacate here, "palta" in S. America. Car tires are respectively: llantas (Mexico), gomas (PR) and cauchos (Venezuela). So even though everyone is speaking the same language, some words may not be understood in one area, although common in another.
The Bible employs a huge vocabulary, using the most appropriate word in each place, and many of those words are not used in everyday conversation--when was the last time you talked to someone about "propitiation" or "omnipotent"? Then some of these words have little or no meaning to non-Christians. In Caribbean politics, a favorite campaign phrase is "keep the faith". If the candidates actually have positions (or a platform) this might have some application, but usually they are running solely on their personality (as well as free food and liquor) so just what "faith" are their followers to keep?
Sometimes we use Bible words without defining them, leaving others wondering what we mean. Brother Hardeman said, "Never underestimate the ignorance of your audience". Too many times we use words our friends don't understand and are then surprised "they didn't learn anything". I'm not suggesting we use other words, although sometimes there are synonyms that are better understood, but that we define our words as necessary.
Tol

Saturday, September 13, 2008

"Conservatives are mean and liberals are stupid"

Don't know whether you've heard this quote before, but I think there's a lot of truth to it. Liberals (in my view) tend to think they live in a perfect world, where each person will do what's right if you just have enough patience and give them _____________ (fill in the blank with whatever YOU think they need. Because of that, they tend to enable bad people, which is often stupid. On the other hand. conservatives think everyone should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and so at least come across mean spirited (some are downright mean, not just mean spirited). So which one is right/better?

A social conservative can be/come across as uncaring about those who are in need. While a social liberal is much more attuned (at least so it seems) to human suffering, often their solutions accomplish little real good. While God expects each of us to do the best we can, He made provisions for the needy--through the church, as well as through individuals. His plan doesn't involve governments or setting up institutions to do the job, but rather is on a small scale. God does care for those in need (orphans, widows, disabled, etc.) but He also said "He that will not work, neither let him eat." The trick for us is to stick to God's plan (be conservative) but not become mean spirited. Do some people take advantage of the "system"? Of course! But let us never become cynical because of that--we must continue to think the best of a person until they prove otherwise.

Many have said, "I'd rather go to hell for doing something (unauthorized) than for doing nothing.", the idea being that while liberals may go beyond what God authorizes at least they are doing something, while conservatives are doing nothing. Sadly, there are many conservatives who are doing nothing, but at the same time there are many liberals who are only making token efforts. If you analyze what "liberal" churches give to "good works" then divide the total by the number of members you will frequently find that each member is "doing good" to the tune of 50 cents a month. What a sacrifice.

Brethren, I am going to great lengths to be in heaven throughout eternity, not hell. The fact that I did many "good works" while alive will be no consolation in hell. The rich man of Luke 16 wasn't thinking of his riches in Hades

I believe that God demands our obedience, which makes me conservative--careful to follow His commands. But He commands that I love my neighbor as myself, which means I can't be hard hearted to the needs of others. If you do it right, people (especially your enemies) will not know which "label" fits you--you're obviously conservative in regards to His Word, but you're liberal in your caring for others. Confusing them can be a good thing.

Tol

September 13 & Hurricane Ike

Sept. 12th or 13th will take on new significance for many along the upper Texas coast--the day Hurricane Ike hit. Things will be dated in life by Ike--"Was that before Ike, or after?" By now you've seen photos of Houston/Galveston/Port Arthur/etc. and the destruction of Hurricane Ike. With the Lord's help your family and friends in that area are well and you've heard from them.

The passage of a major hurricane is life changing, even if you and your house suffer little or no damage. Unlike a tornado, which usually affects only a small part (or path) of a town, a hurricane destroys infrastructure that affects everyone. Even on the mainland, where supplies and work crews can arrive by truck (not by boat as must be done here in the Caribbean) it takes time to replace the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of power poles. Once this is done the power lines must be run, then reconnected to houses, or neighborhoods, etc. The same is true of telephone and cable lines, unless they're underground. Potable water is usually a problem--not only because of power issues, but frequently the treatment plant is at best contaminated, at worst damaged or destroyed.

Transportation is snarled because of downed trees and power lines, potholes, washouts, rock or mud slides, etc. Even cell phones don't usually work during the first few days--they took the satelite dishes down so they must be put back up.

We are thank God that the loss of life seems to be minimal, but the loss of quality of life will continue for awhile--3-4 months or longer. Please keep these brethren in your prayers.

Tol

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Culture versus the Bible


In Puerto Rico cock fighting is legal and most towns have at least one public arena where it takes place--it's part of the culture and goes way back, probably to the early 15oo's. And not only is there the cruelty to the roosters: gambling and drinking are part of the "fun". When people here eat a meal, alcohol, especially wine is frequently present--they follow the European customs in this (and other) areas.
Virgin Islands culture includes Carnival (think Mardi Gras) and dancing that one brother described as sex with clothes on. Other cultures practice abandonment of unwanted babies, polygamy, etc. Many cultures make sausage with blood, the one food the New Testament reminds us we cannot eat. When the Bible and a culture disagree what should a Christian do?
I've heard Christians say: "It's our culture--there's nothing wrong with that". God's Word is for all cultures, of all times. "God commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). The fact that a culture approves of something is not the final judgment on whether something is pleasing to God or not. God calls us to rise above sin and worldliness, not just remain in the status quo. The fact that a whole nation, even nations, approves of a particular action does not mean God does.
Fornication of every kind was an integral part of Greek and later Roman culture. Polygamy was, and is, part of many different cultures. Idolatry has frequently been tied to this or that culture. If the fact that something is "cultural" makes it right, then could we condemn fornication, polygamy, or even idolatry, if it is "a part" of some culture? Yet our Heavenly Father wants what's best for His children, so He forbids these things. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly".
Culture does not legislate truth--it may obey the Truth or it may disobey it, but man is not the source of authority, no matter how many generations have done. But the only way you'll know that is if you study God's Word.
Tol

Monday, September 08, 2008

Politics as usual

Labor Day weekend seems to mark the beginning of the political season here in Puerto Rico. Our backyard backs up to a major thoroughfare, all six lanes of it, so we've already had two political trucks this evening. I didn't see them--the trees on the other side of the drainage canal prevent that, but I heard them loud and clear.

Since everybody has their windows open--it's only 84 degrees right now, you hear the music whether you want to or not. They each had their catchy little song extolling their candidate and depending on the traffic and the traffic lights you can get to hear the song through several times with some of them.

The political caravans will probably not start until next month--the candidate gets as many cars together as he/she can, stopping at strategic points to pick up more followers. Of course there is at least one, frequently several trucks with loud speakers blasting music to keep things lively--just imagine having one or two of these parked across the street from your house for half an hour or so. Usually at these stops there is also plenty of liquor, so "lively" is the word to describe this whole nonsense.

It's amazing what people will do for monetary gain, all the while ignoring their spiritual welfare. Just like Esau traded his birthright (the right to be the patriarch after Isaac died and receive a double portion of the inheritance) for a bowl full of lentil stew, in the same way many are trading their eternal soul for something that won't last more than a few short years.

What about you?

Tol

Giving up

I was in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico last week preaching. Agua Prieta is a town of 70,000 or so in the middle of the desert. As we approached the brother driving said, "I don't see the usual cloud of sand hovering over A.P--it's been raining lately." And everywhere you go there is sand on everything--in the few paved streets, on cars, even inside the houses. Women will clean in the morning and by afternoon it's sandy again. The preacher told me he had given up on keeping his car clean--it was impossible.

As he said that I realized that was really all you could do, but then I thought about the spiritual application. How many Christians "give up" or "give in" to the pressure of the world around them? When all your friends are drinking, how does a young person not give in? When everybody else at work is pilfering, or just doing the minimum who do you "work as unto the Lord", especially when they begin to put on the pressure? When you are one of only 10 or so Christians in a town, when even your own family is at best indifferent or at worst antagonistic to your efforts to serve God, how do you keep from "giving up"?

In order to overcome the constant pressure you must rely first on God, and then on your brethren, few though they may be. As Rom. 8 points out, "if God is for us, who can be against us?" But in order to keep that always in mind, we must be reading and studying His Word daily. If faith comes by hearing the Word of God (and it does) there is only one way our faith can grow.

Our closest companions will have a great impact on whether we overcome or give up, so they must be Christians too. I know a brother whose wife is not a Christian--she's not antagonistic toward the church, she just doesn't care. What a tragic situation and what a burden it is for him. Our brethren can be a great help to us, if we will make the effort.

There's not much you can do about the sand when you're in the desert, but with the Lord's help we don't have to give in to the world.

Tol