God is the Audience of Our Worship and Preaching

Diminish Not a Word. Jeremiah 26:2.

It is easy to imagine the prophets as charismatic heroes, as if they were celebrities or movie stars. I picture them something like Charlton Heston playing Moses in the old TEN COMMANDMENTS movie. In my mind’s eye, each prophet—Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others—is a great orator, a handsome, bearded man standing on a rock, robesContinue reading “Diminish Not a Word. Jeremiah 26:2.”

A PASTOR/SHEPHERD IS A SERVANT, NOT AN ENTERTAINER. Ezekiel 33-34.

My childhood pastor, John Bisagno, had “a flair for the dramatic.” He was an engaging preacher with a powerful voice and a rich imagination. Sometimes I became so swept up in the moment, I focused more on the delivery than the message. Brother John was not just a preacher, but an orator. I was enthralled.Continue reading “A PASTOR/SHEPHERD IS A SERVANT, NOT AN ENTERTAINER. Ezekiel 33-34.”

ENTERTAINMENT AT CHURCH. Ezekiel 33:30-33.

SESAME STREET convinced generations of children that school should be fun. There’s nothing wrong with an entertaining class. But EXPECTING to be entertained at school is TERRIBLE. If students believe everything must be entertaining to “earn” their attention, then they will refuse to learn when things become boring or tedious. Why is that a problem?Continue reading “ENTERTAINMENT AT CHURCH. Ezekiel 33:30-33.”