In our churches today, there’s often a temptation to turn sermons into something like TED Talks – interesting, motivational speeches designed to make us feel good. But is that really what preaching is supposed to be?
When we gather on Sundays, the sermon shouldn’t just be about a charismatic speaker sharing motivational thoughts. True biblical preaching has a much deeper purpose that goes beyond entertainment or feeling good.
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What is the Real Purpose of Church Gatherings?
In 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul gives us insight into early church gatherings: “When you come together, each of you has a hymn or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”
The key phrase here is “built up.” Our gatherings aren’t primarily about entertainment or even just worship – they’re about building up the body of Christ. This same language appears in Ephesians 4:11-13, where Paul explains that Christ gave various gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Is Sunday “Game Day” or “Practice”?
Many churches operate as if Sunday is “game day” – the main event that everything points toward. But biblically speaking, Sunday is more like “practice” or “strength and conditioning.”
When we gather, we’re not supposed to be spectators watching paid professionals. We’re participants preparing for the real game day, which happens when we go out into the world. Our Sunday gatherings should equip us for our mission throughout the week.
Why Must Sermons Be Based on Scripture?
In Acts 2:42, we see that the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The teaching component was central, and it was based on what the apostles had learned directly from Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 further emphasizes this: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The passage continues with a charge to “preach the word” – not personal opinions, not motivational speeches, but God’s Word.
What Makes a Sermon Authoritative?
A sermon derives its authority solely from Scripture. As listeners, we should follow the example of the Bereans in Acts, who “searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” There’s a two-way responsibility:
- The preacher must faithfully present God’s Word, not personal opinions
- The congregation must verify what’s being taught against Scripture
If a sermon isn’t based on God’s Word, it has no real authority and is essentially wasting everyone’s time.
What Should Preaching Accomplish?
Effective preaching applies God’s Word in a way that builds up the church. The goal isn’t primarily to:
- Motivate you (though God’s Word may motivate)
- Make you feel good (though God’s Word sometimes does)
- Inspire you (though God’s Word can inspire)
Sometimes God’s Word corrects, challenges, or even rebukes us. But in every case, it’s designed to build us up and help us grow as believers.
As Isaiah 55:11 reminds us, God’s Word “will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
How Does This Differ from Modern Expectations?
There’s a danger in what one preacher called becoming “motivational preachers rather than scriptural preachers,” where “people are coming to church feeling good, but not leaving biblically educated.”
Paul warned against this in 1 Corinthians 1:17: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
When we try to make Scripture more “palatable” or “impressive” through our own eloquence or insights, we risk stripping the gospel of its inherent power.
Life Application
This week, consider changing your approach to Sunday gatherings. Instead of asking “What did I get out of it?” or “Did I leave feeling refreshed?”, ask “Am I more prepared to be Christ’s disciple in the world this week?”
When you listen to sermons, evaluate them based on their biblical content rather than the speaker’s charisma or ability to make you feel good. And remember that the purpose of gathering isn’t just for what happens inside the church building, but for how it equips you to live as Christ’s ambassador throughout the week.
Ask yourself:
- Am I approaching church as a spectator or as a participant preparing for service?
- Do I evaluate sermons based on how they make me feel, or on their biblical faithfulness?
- How am I applying what I learn on Sunday to my everyday life Monday through Saturday?
- Am I holding preachers accountable to Scripture, like the Bereans did?
The sermon isn’t the main event—it’s preparation for the main event of living out our faith in the world.