Is there nothing in the gospel you preach that can make a Christian happy?
What I have found that works is preaching the Word of God in Spirit and in truth. If I say something funny while preaching, (which I often do) so be it, but to make a point of being funny to have happy Christians is not my goal. The Spirit of the Lord is what makes a true believer rejoice and be happy in the Lord.
By asking this question, you imply that humoring the crowd before preaching is a bad thing because it's not stated in the Bible that anybody did this.
But here you say that you say funny things while preaching, which is Ok.
Do you know of any place in the Bible where John the Baptist, any of the prophets or the apostles, or Christ Himself, humored the crowd while preaching the truth of God's Word?
It appears that you're saying that saying anything funny before preaching is bad and saying something funny during preaching is good.
Do I have it right?
What am I missing?
If we all had the same gift, we would only need one of us not wouldnt' we. I will pray for you and if you have a mind, do the same for me. I been Pastor at this last church for 19 years, I must be doing something right. I Pastored the last one of 8 years. I been preaching for over 35 years. I think the Lord has let me know in many ways that He is pleased with my work, especially bringing me through 2 heart surgeries, 2 neck artery surgeries, double hernia with mesh in my stomach and I still preach every Sunday, visit the sick at home and in the hospital, go away as far as Michigan to preach funerals, so thank you, but I will keep doing it my way, which I feel is the Lord's way for me. I guarntee, I preach as much scripture as you have ever preached.
I did not say something funny during the message was either good or bad, I just said if something is naturally funny, then so be it. If you will read all of the posts from the OP you will see I have no problem with humor, only the assumption that it is needed or intentionally inserted as an introduction to the seriousness of the preaching of God's Word. Also, when it is forced in the media, when there are so many things of a serious nature taking place, can be disturbing.
(Edited to remove inappropriate remarks.
Personal attacks will not be tolerated.)
If I had to go by the posts in this thread only, I wouldn't reach the conclusion of saying that you have no problem with humor.
However, I have seen other posts that suggest otherwise, and I have no problem changing what I think about that.
I do appreciate the clarification.
:wavey:
I'm not sure that anybody assumes that comedy is required before preaching, but I can only speak for me in that I don't think it is.
If you consider it boasting, then I apoligize. You even make a mockery of a funeral of someone very close to me. I will leave you now for your serious posting.
I agree Tiny. If a pastor doesn't want to deliberatly interject humor in his sermons then more power to him. But, how can that same pastor stand in judgment over one who does? That's just arrogance.
No.
Wrong.
You don't get to do this.
You've already given up taking the high road in this thread and you don't get to act like you're taking the high road now.