Preaching like I don't know Jack…

I’ve seen every episode of 24.  I’ve seen Jack Bauer “almost die” in every way imaginable.  (Which is part of the reason 24 is being canceled this season.)  I’ve learned something about preaching from Mr. Bauer…two things actually.

1.  As Jack says almost every week, “We’re running out of time!”.  Time is precious.  I only get 35 minutes each week to articulate an idea that can “make or break” someones life.  Sometimes I only get one “shot”.  Every Sunday is someones first and/or last week at actionchurch.  I better make it count…

2. Most people don’t know Jack. (including me!) More people than not haven’t seen every episode of 24.  To talk about a charactor of 24 without the context of the entire 8 seasons would be confusing, boring, and/or pointless to someone who has never seen the series.  Most people “don’t know Jack” about the scriptures.   Even though I study and think about the Bible a LOT, I realize that if I studied my entire life I wouldn’t “know” the thousands of years of history, tradition, and “back story” that make up the Bible.

So What?!   Every week I’m going to do my best to introduce Jesus to folks in the same way I would “introduce” Jack to a friend who had never seen 24.  I’ll tell stories instead of giving lectures.  I’ll do my homework.  I won’t assume that I (or anyone in attendance) “know” the story, the history, the “behind the scenes” subplots of a particular scripture.  I’ll investigate.  I’ll research the context of each “subplot”.  This week I’m reading about a particular weed that grew in wheat fields in biblical times.  (I live an exciting life…what can I say.)

Every week at actionchurch I’m going to preach like you (and I) “don’t know Jack”!

One thought on “Preaching like I don't know Jack…

  1. Don’t sweat it! I think you already have a great style and you are doing just what you suggest here. It always amazes me that you can reach and teach both those that have never been in a church and those that have been in a church building all their lives. Keep up the great work!