THE FOCUS POINT
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from Afrikaans: Die Fokuspunt
I want to once more share with you on this very important topic: ‘The focus point’ that has recently came about in a personal conversation.
You will perhaps think: “What does this have to do with me?” but maybe you could help someone somewhere to find the right perspective and viewpoint on this matter. Who knows, perhaps it is to the one that you are sending this email to.
We live in a world believe of “Seeing is believing” or “To see is to believe” and because this kind of faith is so absolutely contrary to the true Christian faith, I decided to re-write something about it.
As I listen to what people tell me about how people perform on stages and behind pulpits and what type of techniques or tricks they use to attract their audiences and to keep their attention and admiration, I believe that we are busy with a focus swing in the wrong direction.
Because of this wrong influence, someone might say: “If this congregation is too dead, I will go where the fire is.” Apart from the fact that we ourselves mustn’t look for the fire but, so to speak, rather be the fire – I also get the impression that because of the ‘swing of the focus’ in the manner that we preach the Gospel, people also get confused between mass hysteria and sensationalism and the working of the Holy Spirit.
We, so it seems to me, are increasingly working to introduce ourselves and to display and proclaim our abilities. While people must see JESUS in us – and while we must preach His Gospel in a pure and clean way.
I have not count but I think we have about 50 videos of Billy Graham today and I cannot think of one where he preached other than in a normal way and every time hundreds of people came forward on his invitation to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
You see – his approach and straightforward intension was to allow the Holy Spirit to use him to show people the way to JESUS.
Personally I always value it in this way:
If the messenger stands our more as the message, or – if the evangelist stands out more as the Gospel, there is a huge problem.
We are Jesus’ followers and we do very well if we follow Him and do as He set the example:
JOHN 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Let me show you how the greatest Preacher of all times did it while He preached the greatest sermon of all times –
He did not jump up and down or ran to and fro. He did not use any tricks or stunts to keep people’s attention or admiration or approval.
What did He do?
MAT 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
MAT 5:2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
He did not for example move around with big gesture.
He did not shout on people.
No, He sat down and taught them and spoke to them.
Just in case someone might think that I want to make a rule out of an exception, read this:
MAT 13:1-3
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.
2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow.
Someone might say that the boat was at sea, and as a result of the shaking of the boat, Jesus sat down – but when you remember that Jesus walked in a storm on the sea, then for Him the movement of the boat would be, as they say – ‘a walk in the park.’
Let me suffice with one other example where Jesus preached in the church:
LUKE 4:20-21
20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21 And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
I of cause do not say everyone should sit as they bring a message. I don’t think some of the elegant pulpits will allow that. What I do say is that the messenger must be a messenger that brings the message of our Lord Jesus and not an artist that set his artistry on display.
1KOR 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
We must be on guard – and dissociate ourselves from this shift of focus these days in Christianity – off track from the message to the messenger.
I speak of preaching, singing, rehearses or whatever is taken place.
Because of this very important fact: All glory and honour belongs to, and must be given to our Lord:
1TIM 1:17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greetings,
Sakkie