Preaching is Not Enough (October 13, 2009)

I can't resist another quote from John Piper. He begins a sermon entitled "The Love of Human Praise as the Root of Unbelief" by pointing out his conviction that though preaching is important, listening to it in a large group setting is insufficient for believers. He gives seven reasons that highlight the need for small groups, which I find convicting, and which invade our all-too-pervasive desire for passivity and ease. Here they are:

1. The impulse avoid painful growth by disappearing safely into the crowd in corporate worship is very strong.
2. The tendency toward passivity in listening to a sermon is part of our human weakness.
3. Listeners in a big group can more easily evade redemptive crises. If tears well up in your eyes in a small group, wise friends will gently find out why. But in a large gathering, you can just walk away from it.
4. Listeners in a large group tend to neglect efforts of personal application. The sermon may touch a nerve of conviction, but without someone to press in, it can easily be avoided.
5. Opportunity for questions leading to growth is missing. Sermons are not dialogue. Nor should they be. But asking questions is a key to understanding and growth. Small groups are great occasions for this.
6. Accountability for follow-through on good resolves is missing. But if someone knows what you intended to do, the resolve is stronger.
7. Prayer support for a specific need or conviction or resolve goes wanting. O how many blessings we do not have because we are not surrounded by a band of friends who pray for us.

Still, all too easy to listen to this exhortation as a podcast from the comfort of my own living room, and neglect to apply it. May we each respond to these wise words by seeking out fellow Christians who will walk beside us and spur us on toward love and good deeds, confession and repentance.

For those interested in listening to the whole sermon, it can be found here.