Just because something is preached from the pulpit, do not necessarily accept it. Though preachers are to speak as ones speaking the very words of God (1 Peter 4:11), this does not at all mean they actually are speaking the words of God! That’s because inspiration is in the scriptures, not the speaker. – Douglas Jacoby, Matthew 11:12 Forceful Men – 08/03/2003

I was recently able to hear a sermon where the minister rebuked the congregation for being lazy. Apparently, not enough people are registered for some big conference he’s having, or at least that is what I understand. It made me think of Doug’s paper on Matt 11:12, especially in regards to anger. Many times, the bad translation of this verse in the NIV allowed speakers to believe they were ‘cranking’ and ‘more radical’ if they were able to be ‘forceful’ in their preaching. Most times, however, this was only because a minister was inconvienced or stats were looking bad.

I mention this because I am struck by a sermon that comes so close to being profound when talking about freedom in Christ, yet concludes by insisting that the grace of God is only evident in those that work as hard as they can.

More later, but I just cannot believe it. Some comments made in the sermon include

“You had to be cranking to enter the Holy of Holies.”

“You had better be cranking and not tanking, if you know what I mean.”

It never ceases to amaze me.