On Brief Sermons And Watching The Clock
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThe following article by Brother Frank Chesser, is taken “From Truth,” Dallas Avenue Church of Christ, Lancaster Texas, December 3, 1995, Guardian of Truth XL: 9 p. 11, May 2, 1996:
It seems that brief sermons on the Lord’s Day are becoming the norm in today’s fast-paced society. If a preacher could package and sell twenty-minute sermons with “pre-heat and serve” instructions, he would not only become rich, but would probably be placed on the Forbes 500 list.
It’s unfortunate, but the “let’s hurry up and get this over with” philosophy, has definitely found a home in the Lord’s church.
The old oil patch saying, “If a man can’t strike oil in twenty minutes, he’s drilling with a dull bit,” may provoke a laugh, but not from the spiritual mind intent on drinking deep from the well of living water (John 4:10-14).
It seems that some members assemble to offer homage to God, while other members convene to worship the clock. When the clock strikes high noon, it sounds the gun for the race to local restaurants.
Overtime is a delight in sports, but it becomes a source of irritation and discomfort in preaching. It’s unfortunate that a prominently displayed clock, in full view of the pulpit, has become a distinguishing characteristic of the church.
One brother was heard to say, “When the sermon goes overtime, I turn it off.” Brethren, we can rest assured that he would never make that statement about his favorite sports or television program. We can easily discern Sunday’s time of day, by taking note of the activity in the pew (putting up song books, gathering belongings, etc.).
Proceeding past the “allotted time” is like scraping the top off an ant bed. Overtime is no man’s land where preachers, void of stout hearts, fear to tread.
Some attempt to justify the disturbing lack of interest in spiritual priorities, pointing to man’s decreasing attention span. This is just not true. It might be applicable to small children in the worship assembly – but not to adults.
As adults, the capacity of our concentration, is dependent upon our sense of priority and interest (cf. Matthew 6:21) – not because of any decreasing attention span. One lacking in spirituality can devote rapt attention for several hours to some entertainment medium, while “suddenly” experiencing a severe shortage of mental vigilance under the sound of gospel preaching (yes, even sleeping through the sermon).
In contrast, we hear missionaries telling of people walking for miles, sitting for hours on backless boards in thatched huts and scorching heat, in order to hear the spiritual treasures contained in the gospel.
Brethren, it is indeed tragic when our interest in spiritual things can be exhausted during the course of a thirty-minute sermon.
Let’s take Brother Chesser’s article to heart. If we’re guilty of watching the clock, instead of intently listening to God’s word, maybe we need to consider re-evaluating our spiritual priorities (Matthew 6:33).
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