I love this simple definition of preaching given by Alan Storey, a pastor from Capetown, South Africa.

Scripture

“These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” Acts 17:6-7

You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” Acts 17:20

Observation
When speaking in public, the speaker focuses most of his attention on what he or she has to say. But it is just as significant for the speaker to know what is heard. Preaching is more than the message that a pastor speaks, but it is also what the hearers hear. Fine details may slip from their memories but did they “get it?”

Paul’s hearers heard it, even if they did not understand what he was saying. In one city, they heard Paul to say that Jesus was a king supreme over all kings including caesar. Not a bad job of understanding. In another city, they heard Paul to speak “strange” ideas that did not flow with their normal course of thought and scientific reasoning. In both places they grasped that Paul was bringing a new teaching that would turn their world right side up.

Application
As I reflect on the exit poll of Paul’s preaching, I find myself wondering if I preach enough “strange ideas” that clearly present that there is “another king, one called Jesus.” In contemporary church life we have morphed Jesus is Lord into Jesus is Helper. Instead of being a king we follow into his kingdom he has become a partner who follows us into our world. I don’t want to preach Jesus that way. As Billy Sunday said, “People say I rub the fur the wrong way. Then let the cats turn around.” “A good sermon has one offensive point; a really good one has multiple ones,” says Mark Driscoll. Repentance means a total reordering of our thinking about who God is and who we are in light of him. He has not come to join my world but to bring me into his.

Prayer
Father, make me a preacher who comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable. Amen.