SO WHAT?

Just Thinking About A Thought – SO WHAT?

Years ago, I had the privilege of attending classes on Systematics and apologetics taught by a gifted professor. He was also a dynamic preacher of God’s Word. He shared with the class that one of the best critiques he had ever received on one of his sermons was stated with just two words. He had asked a friend and church officer what was his thoughts about the sermon he had just preached. His friend replied – SO WHAT? He would go on to add that while the exegesis was done excellently and the presentation given effectively, he was leaving the service thinking – SO WHAT should I do or act upon from the sermon I just listened to intently? The professor confessed that he knew how to structure the sermon but the critique was valid because he has neglected to give practical applications regarding what people should DO with what they had just HEARD.

Paul instructed Timothy many specifics about ministry. First Timothy 6:11, 20 - “But you, man of God…pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness…guard what has been entrusted to your care.” In Second Timothy 2:14-16, “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”

An old Methodist minister friend would often remind his Pastor friends: “when you preached God’s Word, did you remember to draw in the net?” He was echoing the call of Jesus Christ to His disciples,  Matthew 4:18-20 – “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people. At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Some may look at these thoughts and Biblical references and still respond with – SO WHAT? God might very well say to those with such an attitude and response – SHAPE UP or seek some other occupation in which one can waste his time.

There are many dysfunctional families, needy people, unmentored ministers, untrained and unqualified leadership, those who are struggling to survive life as they are experiencing it. Some Worship formats are a lot of “fluff”, deafening music and unwelcoming people who need to “SHAPE UP.” There are ministers who measure sermons by their length rather than practical content causing the listener to sense – SO WHAT? There is the meaningless clutter in the structure of a Worship Service that relegates preaching of God’s Word near the end of the service when people are near worship exhaustion by the time they hear God’s Word and feel – SO WHAT? There are strong-willed officers and erudite ministers who model being in control and cause people to silently feel – SO WHAT?

Rather than – “SO WHAT? - IF ONLY, we would see the ministry of Paul emulated in the Biblical Christian Community today - Acts 20:19-21, 27 – “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.  You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus…I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will (counsel) of God.”

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.