Examining What's Being Said in the Name of God

Quick Guide for Testing Sermons.

Now these (Berean) Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. –Acts 17:11

Be like the Berean Jews and compare with the Word of God what people are teaching in the name of God.  I’ve listened to many of Chris Rosebrough’s “sermon reviews” and I’ve gotten to be able to predict exactly when he’s going to break in and say something or pull out God’s word to correct what’s being said.  The reason is, there are a few principles you can keep in mind that probably cover 99 percent of how sermons go “off-track” from what the Bible says we should be proclaiming.  (A number to which I arrived by the very scientific process called "guesstimating".)

So, when you hear someone teach, ask yourself:

Was the Word of God correctly handled?  

-        Was the text is taught in its original context?  

-        Was the Old Testament interpreted in light of the New?  

-        Were Gospels interpreted in light of the Epistles?

-        Was anything added that is not actually found in the text?

Straight Talk or "Heresy Two-Step"? 

I'm not sure coined this term, but it's so apt.  But here is a quote by Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller on the Radio Program Fighting for the Faith where he describes what he means when he uses this term:

"the Heresy Two-step starts with two feet on the text.  The illusion must be given that the text is going to be taught on.  Then a sliding step backward is taken into an abstraction.  You move from the text to an idea about the text or to a word in the text.  Once the text is abstracted and a general principle or something along these lines is made.  You can now wiggle around and go in any direction you want.  You can make the text say whatever you want.  Instead of teaching the text you are pontificating on this abstraction which was drawn from the text."

 All Law, No Gospel?

In other words, all about what you ought to do and nothing about the grace of God for when you will fail to do it?  Was it the Good News?  Or good advice?

Is it All about You or All about God

Is the thrust of the message about God and what he has done or is doing or will do?  Or is it about what you need to do?  Or what you need to think about yourself ?

Do I need a crucified and risen Savior for this sermon?

In other words, could the sermon have been just as well preached by a Muslim or Hindu Monk or any given self-help guru?

How is the Spiritual “Grammar”?

Are verbs that need objects used with objects?  For example, is "saved" used with "from our sins" or "from eternal condemnation"? Are the verbs "believe" and "faith" used with the direct objects "God" and "His Word"?

Do euphemisms abound?  Has "sin" become "brokenness" or "bad choices"?  Is Hell ever mentioned?  I'm not saying every sermon has to mention it, but is it ever dealt with at all?  A lot of preachers avoid this subject at all costs.  

Are we "dead" in our trespasses in sin and in need of raising from the dead?  Or do have a "heart in need of healing"?  

Is "condemnation" used in the context of how you feel about yourself?  Or about how God sees you?

Be on Your Guard

Watch out.  Teachers and Preachers (and of course writers) can support some pretty unbiblical views with ear-tickling persuasion and will even quote the bible while doing it.  Dig into your Bible.  Find out if what you hear or read is saying is actually taught in God’s word.

Of course, there are some wolves out there twisting the bible on purpose, but there are also well-meaning deceived people unwittingly deceiving others.  And there are writers with spectacularly unorthodox views writing the books that end up in our bible studies and home groups, so the teachers that teach you may be among those being led astray.  You are not doing any teacher a favor by simply taking them at their word, for they will be judged for missteps you make as a result of bad teaching.