church, exegetical/expositional preaching, the need for more meat
I have been doing alot of thinking about teaching in the church - particularly in reference to the teaching that takes place at W242. Because Warehouse is set up to be a 'seeker' environment, most of Bruce's messages are set up to bring thoughts to the table, and emphasize a particular direction, but tend not to be very exegetical. Most talks are topical -- which is appropriate and understandable. but, i need to be in scripture a little more to feel stretched so i have been seeking out additional places for food.
let me clarify that i am committed to W242 and will not be leaving for another church. i was in with the kids sunday so i missed Bruce's message, but i listened to it last night, and was very convicted. it was a perfect compliment to yesterday's post and i did feel reaffirmed, though i know that i need to be able to believe without constant 'pats on the back' or thunder or lightning or wind -- the still small voice as Elijah found. you can hear bruce's message here. i sat on my bed and knitted while listening to bruce talk about how ingratitude causes us to miss out on living our lives and reflected on a conversation i had with lisianthus43 at dinner, and i longed to receive such wisdom on a core level - so that it would affect my life not just my temporary reflections.
i have a few friends that used to attend Redeemer in NYC and they rave about Tim Keller...so i thought i would check out what the noise was about. this is where the exegetical preaching comes in. though i don't find keller's delivery particularly charasmatic, i do appreciate his thoughts. i listened to this last night. i appreciated the way that he described Jesus being 'deeply moved in spirit'. Keller doesn't shy away from Christ's mortality, but neither does he set his mortality at odds with his divinity. i can get behind a jesus who feels righteous anger at death....who is moved in his guts by the wrath he feels when confronted with the battle waged against those he loves. this is social justice jesus. this is "bring it on" jesus who KNOWS that doing the right thing will hasten his death and he not only plunges in straight ahead but he kind of flips the bird at the principalities and powers on his way! sweet! i am moved to be face down on the floor (digging into the carpet) to lie prostrate at the feet of such a righteous force that will prevail against the corruption that breaks our hearts and condemns our souls. Christ saw injustice....and it did not sit well with him, in fact it did not sit at all. i need to be reminded that he is a savior God, not just a nice man. That he bore in flesh all the power of the spirit, not that the spirit only bore all the flaws of the flesh. i want to know this Jesus. I think I would love Him deeply!
and so, i start on this quest for growth. i have had brief glimpses of desire in the past few years, but it has been a while since it was a compulsion and since i was willing to invest. not just willing, but demanding. it is time.