Tuesdays with Morris

This Sunday, I’ll be giving a message titled “If You Say So…” To be honest, I loathe sermon titles. I know of pastors that spend more time trying to come up with catchy titles that the congregation and people passing by the church sign will think is clever than they actually put into their sermons. I do know people who like the titles because it gives them an idea of where the pastor is going…sometimes. I know many pastors that just throw a title together, putting no thought into it, and leave their congregation wondering what the title and the message had to do with one another. So, this Sunday is, “If You Say So…” I sort of cheated because it comes directly from the text I’ll be using.

While preparing for this message, I’m beginning to fear that I’m turning into the typical, 3-point sermon, Methodist pastor. That’s freakin’ scary!

As I’ve studied the texts I’ll be using this weekend, I’ve come up with 3-R’s. I’m not going to give them here…hoping instead you’ll come to worship to find out what they are. This whole message broods of systematic theology (a practice that I seriously question). Systematic theology, as it is used in most evangelical circles, is simply a presenter coming up with their ideas, topics, and points, and then manipulating the Scripture to support their own thoughts. I tend to like to basically dig into the text, get a little dirty working through it, and see what thoughts and questions God places on my heart. In all honesty, that’s how I came to the 3-R’s. I didn’t sit down with the 3-R’s and then search for some passages that could validate my points. But, if you were to come in and listen to what I have to say this weekend, you might just think I’ve fallen into the systematic traps.

My problem with systematic theology and 3-point sermons is this…Not all Scripture has three solid points. So, in an effort to find three points, we often go outside the original intent of certain passages. Also, some passages are meant to bring up questions, rather than solidly defend a position. Systematic theology seems to always be looking for a way to prove points. So much of the Scripture is story and metaphor, and while it communicates a larger truth, it doesn’t always prove that if you follow these three or five simple steps you’ll have a better life. A lot of those that utilize systematic theology are answer people that are often afraid of too many questions. In many evangelical circles, questions are seen as the enemy. Yet, Jesus asked a lot of questions. Many times, when asked a question, Jesus responded with a question.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this…just because I may have a catchy 3-R sermon this Sunday doesn’t mean I’ve sold out and gone off the deep end. It just so happens that the text I’ll be using have some pretty clear things to say to us. But, I’ll still be posing the ever-important questions.