Power of Observation

For some preachers and teachers the power of observation has not been fully grasped. The ability to see the central idea of the text can be, for some, quite a challenge. The desire to preach “spiritual truth” drives him to seek out those deep spirtual pearls within the text. Often the approach is similar to walking along the beach looking for shells. “I hope I can find a really good one on this beach today!” is often the mindset. This approach is fine if one is merely looking for a souvenir. But expository preaching not about finding and displaying spiritual souvenirs. There is so much more to the beach than shells. What is really telling is the whole beach and it’s beautiful scenary. That is really what should be in view, not merely the quest for shells. As you consider the entirety of the beach the shells will come in to view as well.

When one looks at the text he should look at the whole rather than the parts. Why? because it is the whole that gives the real meaning to the parts that we tend to focus on. This is what Haddon Robinson meant by “The Big Picture.” So, the idea is to look at the entire passage and read/study it as a unit with the goal to narrow it’s emphasis down to one dominant or central idea. We do this effectively when we understand the power of observation. Observation has two apsects: (1) The observation of the text itself and (2) the observation of how the emphasis of the text relates to the worlds our people live in.

Power of Observation | Considering the Text

In seminary preaching courses we are taught to study the text exgetically. Selecting a text, conducting a background study, doing word studies, and things like this – we understand quite well. The problem for some of us is when we focus on those apsects to such a degree that we actually over-glorify certain aspects at the expense of the real thrust of the passage. Preachers tend to see something that “they” like and want to run with it. This is not a sin and there is nothing wrong in that per se BUT some of us do tend to think that if we think something is cool or meaningful, then our folks will as well. Welcome to the preacher’s dreamworld. Most people, at least in my opinion, are no where near as hyped about the Holy Spirit’s choice of oregomai in a text as we may be.

The big picture, rather than the parts, is what draws the interest of the people. Talking about the whole person rather than his knees contains far more value. Looking at Mark 1:1-8 we can easily focus on a lot of things: The beginning of Jesus’ ministry – prophecy fulfilled – forgivess of sins – repentance and baptism – humilty – Holy Spirit power – and others. BUT these are the parts that work together to make up the whole. The text mentions these things BUT says nothing about them. Just because something is mentioned does NOT mean the text is about the mentioned thing.

The text is about John the Baptist and how he was used mightily for God’s glory. The “”parts” work together to bring that reality to the forefront of our study. Hmmmm, makes sense to me.

Power of Observation | Considering our Flock

The second aspect of observation is to look closely at our flock and the world they live in. This is why I have always said that we should NOT prepare much of our sermon in our pastor’s study. We should prepare part of it there, part of it in the sanctuary, and part of it out where our people are (their worlds). In the sanctuary people always sit in the same place. We can simply walk through the sanctaury and see where they sit. We can remember them and conversations we have had with them. We can consider challenges they face or circumstances they have no control over. We can look at them as a group or as individuals. As we consider them we reflect on the selected texted. We think about the big picture and how it realtes to them … rather than the parts of the text.

In Mark 1: 1-8 the passage is about John the Baptist and his powerful ministry. But please do not preach a sermon about John and how awesome he was. Your people will simply say, “Good for John!” If you preach about John then you are preaching what YOU like. Get back to your flock of folks. Tell them that as God used John powerfully, He desires to use them in similar ways. They too have a calling to ministry. They too have a message to proclaim and a ministry to conduct. They too should focus on Jesus rather than themselves. They too can impact countless souls. They too! Make it about THEM!

Too often we prechers pick out the parts and focus on them because it is what we think is significant. This is truly sad. Preaching professors tell us that among the initial aspects of preparing a sermon is to select a text. While I agree (as a professor) I also think selecting the text is not enough. I want to encourage you to select your text with your folks in mind. Then observe the text with your folks in mind. then go into the sanctuary with your text and folks in mind. Then go out into the world with the goal of observing the world your folks live in … do this with your text in mind. That’s the power of observation.

Blessings,

Tony Guthrie, PhD.