Sermons I'd Rather Not Hear (part 3)
Introduction. In the past two parts of this extended article, we've briefly highlighted sermon topics that modern people might find uncomfortable, disagreeable, or even outright offensive. This is despite the Biblical warnings we noted in part 1. In this final part, we'll continue this process and conclude with some recommended encouragements.
Our Bodies. Some sermon topics can be very uncomfortable because they address how we use or misuse our bodies.
- "the older women . . . admonish the young women to . . . love their children." (Titus 2:3-4) One of the most polarizing social topics in America today is abortion. Any sermon that infringes on "a woman's right to choose" is a topic many people simply do not want to hear. See "A" for "Abortion".
- "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom. 12:1) For people who see nothing wrong with smoking tobacco products, drinking alcoholic beverages, or indulging in recreational drugs (both legal and illegal), sermon topics on caring for our bodies, exercising self-control, and maintaining sober vigilance can sound antiquated and make people uncomfortable. See "D" for "Drinking" and "D" for "Drug Abuse".
- "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. 6:19-20) Given the modern craze for tattoos and multiple piercings, is it any wonder some people tune out to sermon warnings about the worldly messages and impressions some of these can send to those we should be trying to influence for good? See "E" for "Earrings" and "T" for "Tattoos".
Relationships. Many sermon topics address how we should relate to other people. How do we respond to them?
- "For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, . . . contentions, jealousies, . . . backbitings [slander NIV], whisperings [gossip NIV] . . ." (2 Cor. 12:20) Got a nice bit of juicy gossip about your spouse, family member, neighbor, coworker, fellow Christian, or church leader? Can't wait to tell your friends? And with modern social media, you can send (and receive) gossip instantaneously worldwide at the click of a mouse or the tap of a finger! What about sermons that say such is wrong? See "G" for "Gossip" and "E" for "Envy".
- "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh." (1 Pet. 2:18) How about sermons that address employer-employee relationships? See "W" for "Work, Secular".
- "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you," (Matt. 5:44) How about sermons dealing with our enemies? See "R" for "Revenge".
- "You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:13-16) What about sermons addressing the need to be a good influence to others and to spread the word via personal evangelism? See "I" for "Influence", "L" for "Light", and "P" for "Personal Evangelism".
Self. Wait, there are even more topics you might not want to hear!
- "And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”" (Luke 12:15) See "G" for "Greed".
- "redeeming the time [making the best use of the time ESV], because the days are evil." (Eph. 5:16) See "B" for "Bible Study", "P" for "Prayer".
- "Finally, brethren, whatever things are . . . noble . . . pure . . . lovely . . . good report . . . meditate on these things." (Phil. 4:8) Are you entertained by gory movies? Violent video games? Trashy song lyrics? See "E" for "Entertainment".
- "neither filthiness [obscenity NIV], nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting [crude joking ESV], which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." (Eph. 5:4) Like to tell a "dirty joke" now and again? Spice up your language with a little profanity? Or think nothing of using "God", "Jesus", or "Hell" in a casual manner? See "P" for "Profanity" and "T" for "Tongue".
- ". . . God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) Got an inflated sense of self-importance? Get easily upset if people don't do things your way? Look down on others? See "P" for "Pride" and "H" for "Humility".
Conclusion. As we have seen, there are many potential sermon topics that may cause us to be uncomfortable, upset, or dismissive. How we react depends on a wide variety of external and internal influences. But as the Bible warns us, we need to be self-aware and ask ourselves “Why am I reacting this way?” We need to carefully examine ourselves, carefully examine what is being said, and carefully compare both to what the Bible actually says. As Luke commends the Jews in Berea who heard Paul and Silas:
- "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)
Our Bodies. Some sermon topics can be very uncomfortable because they address how we use or misuse our bodies.
- "the older women . . . admonish the young women to . . . love their children." (Titus 2:3-4) One of the most polarizing social topics in America today is abortion. Any sermon that infringes on "a woman's right to choose" is a topic many people simply do not want to hear. See "A" for "Abortion".
- "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom. 12:1) For people who see nothing wrong with smoking tobacco products, drinking alcoholic beverages, or indulging in recreational drugs (both legal and illegal), sermon topics on caring for our bodies, exercising self-control, and maintaining sober vigilance can sound antiquated and make people uncomfortable. See "D" for "Drinking" and "D" for "Drug Abuse".
- "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. 6:19-20) Given the modern craze for tattoos and multiple piercings, is it any wonder some people tune out to sermon warnings about the worldly messages and impressions some of these can send to those we should be trying to influence for good? See "E" for "Earrings" and "T" for "Tattoos".
Relationships. Many sermon topics address how we should relate to other people. How do we respond to them?
- "For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, . . . contentions, jealousies, . . . backbitings [slander NIV], whisperings [gossip NIV] . . ." (2 Cor. 12:20) Got a nice bit of juicy gossip about your spouse, family member, neighbor, coworker, fellow Christian, or church leader? Can't wait to tell your friends? And with modern social media, you can send (and receive) gossip instantaneously worldwide at the click of a mouse or the tap of a finger! What about sermons that say such is wrong? See "G" for "Gossip" and "E" for "Envy".
- "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh." (1 Pet. 2:18) How about sermons that address employer-employee relationships? See "W" for "Work, Secular".
- "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you," (Matt. 5:44) How about sermons dealing with our enemies? See "R" for "Revenge".
- "You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:13-16) What about sermons addressing the need to be a good influence to others and to spread the word via personal evangelism? See "I" for "Influence", "L" for "Light", and "P" for "Personal Evangelism".
Self. Wait, there are even more topics you might not want to hear!
- "And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”" (Luke 12:15) See "G" for "Greed".
- "redeeming the time [making the best use of the time ESV], because the days are evil." (Eph. 5:16) See "B" for "Bible Study", "P" for "Prayer".
- "Finally, brethren, whatever things are . . . noble . . . pure . . . lovely . . . good report . . . meditate on these things." (Phil. 4:8) Are you entertained by gory movies? Violent video games? Trashy song lyrics? See "E" for "Entertainment".
- "neither filthiness [obscenity NIV], nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting [crude joking ESV], which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." (Eph. 5:4) Like to tell a "dirty joke" now and again? Spice up your language with a little profanity? Or think nothing of using "God", "Jesus", or "Hell" in a casual manner? See "P" for "Profanity" and "T" for "Tongue".
- ". . . God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) Got an inflated sense of self-importance? Get easily upset if people don't do things your way? Look down on others? See "P" for "Pride" and "H" for "Humility".
Conclusion. As we have seen, there are many potential sermon topics that may cause us to be uncomfortable, upset, or dismissive. How we react depends on a wide variety of external and internal influences. But as the Bible warns us, we need to be self-aware and ask ourselves “Why am I reacting this way?” We need to carefully examine ourselves, carefully examine what is being said, and carefully compare both to what the Bible actually says. As Luke commends the Jews in Berea who heard Paul and Silas:
- "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)