An "Eloquent" Preacher

I have a distinct memory of a class in seminary called "Sen Prep" where we watched videos of famous preachers, took notes, and studied multiple techniques in giving a message.  I cannot say that it was a waste because I very much learned what my preferred style of preaching was.  But I do have to say that many of the books we read on sermon preparation were not all that helpful.  Many are still on my shelf waiting to be sent to others via EBay.

Over the past two years of preaching on a weekly basis I have begun to understand that I really have no idea what I am doing.  I don't feel prepared enough.  I don't feel that I have relied on the Spirit enough.  I don't feel that I have spoken the words of my messages well enough to be comprehended on a deep spiritual level.  In other words, I needed some help with my preaching.  Maybe you know the feeling.

So, at last year's Desiring God Conference for Pastors I picked up a book called The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper.  I finally actually have begun to read it recently and came across a quotation about Jonathan Edwards's preaching style.  A man was asked if Edwards was an eloquent preacher.  Here is his response:

"He had no studied varieties of the voice, and no strong emphasis.  he scarcely gestured, or even moved; and he made no attempt by the elegance of his style, or the beauty of his pictures, to gratify the taste, and fascinate the imagination.  But, if you mean by eloquence, the power of presenting an important truth before an audience, with overwhelming weight of argument, and with such intenseness of feeling, that the whole soul of the speaker is thrown into every part of the conception and delivery; so that the solemn attention of the whole audience is riveted, from the beginning to the close, and impressions are left that cannot be effaced; Mr. Edwards was the most eloquent man I ever heard speak."

What a testimony!  Oh, to preach with such power of the Spirit and to have such a testimony about my preaching.  May the words that come from my mouth each week proclaim the truth of the gospel not with words to please itching ears but with words that God uses to bring people from the brink of Hell into his loving arms.

Can We Change the Mind of God?

This is a question I find coming up more and more in my ministry.  Much of the issue is with the difference in the theological understanding of God's and our power and how they interact.  In evangelical circles most would turn to scripture for a solid grasp of this topic.  But when taken at the surface we can see that scripture seems to contradict itself.  Let's take a look at both sides of the issue from the Word's point of view.

Can we change the mind of God?  Yes.  There are three major passages that come to mind in support of this position: Exodus 32:9-14 (Moses asks God to spare Israel at Mt. Sinai and God relents his wrath), 2 Kings 20:1-7 (Hezekiah's life is spared and is extended 15 years because Hezekiah reminds God that he has walked with him throughout his life), and Genesis 18:20-33 (Abraham asks for God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there is anyone found righteous within the cities).  In each of these passages God declares his will and a man asks (in one way or another) God to spare a life or lives.

Can we change the mind of God?  No.  Here are three passages to support this position: Numbers 23:19 (Pagan prophet Balaam speaks God's words to Balak),
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.  Has he said, and will he not do it?  Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

1 Samuel 15:29 (Saul rejected as king by God)
"And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret."

Psalm 33:10-11
"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations."

Does scripture contradict itself?  Can God contradict himself?  Can we thwart or overthrow the will of God?  The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no.  The question should not be "Can we change the mind of God?"  This puts the focus on me and as a depraved being I am not in a position to tell God what is right or what is wrong.  The focus of the question should be on God and his perfect will.  Can God change his own mind when his will is final?  We must understand that when the Lord makes a pronouncement intended to be final, he cannot be talked out of it buy a mere human.  God's will is final.

When he seemingly changes his mind to complete destroy the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai he is reminded of his covenant made with Abraham.  Did God suddenly let his anger get the better of him and forget about the covenant?  That is obviously a silly question.  But He still sends a plague upon the people for their disobedience.  Hezekiah's life was spared at that moment, but he still dies 15 years later.  God still destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah despite his promise not to if there was anyone found righteous within the cities.  Lot and his family were evacuated before the destruction.

We need to get beyond ourselves and look to God and his character.  I am not above God in that I can know what is best for a particular situation.  I am not above God in that my powerful prayers can overthrow his will.  My power is minuscule compared to His.  Churches need to focus not on themselves and their will, but the will of the Creator.  I am not above Him.  He is above me.  From this point of view we can see clearly that a mere human cannot talk God out of an action when God has already pronounced it final.

One final word: "Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

Amen and Amen.