Biblical preaching: Its meaning, form and relevance: An analysis of biblical preaching and sermons of the church fathers and Indonesian preachers; the using of the bible, the forms and the relevance

Abstract

Preaching is a part of liturgy in the worship service. Practically, it becomes the most important part. The congregation supposes that and makes the sermon as a "barometer" of worship. Therefore, worship is good or bad depending on the sermon. The congregation feels good if the sermon is good and bad if the sermon is bad. This thesis is about preaching or sermon. It is not about the mechanics of how to prepare and deliver a sermon, but it is about the biblical basis for the sermon and what relation there is between the text and the preaching. This thesis stresses the deep understanding of the sermon rather than its delivery. But this does not mean that there is no importance to the practicality of preaching, because preaching is a practical thing. Preaching is the Word of God which is heard as Dietrich Ritchl says. Preaching nowadays has the same authority and power as the Word of God which was delivered by the prophets and the apostles. It is also the same? As the Bible, the Word of God which is written. The uniqueness of preaching as the Word of God is like the uniqueness of Jesus as a human and also as God, and the Bible as the Word of God. In the Old Testament, God usually spoke to His people through His prophets and Judges. He chose some particular men or women to explain His will. In the New Testament, the discussion starts from the sermon of John the Baptist, and continues through Yesus' sermons in the Gospels and the sermons of Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts. John refers to The Old Testament, and the Messiah who would come. Jesus declares that all prophecies in the Old Testament have been fulfilled in Him. Peter and Paul are the witnesses of Jesus, the Messiah. Each of them has similarities end differences in their preaching. From the beginning in the early church, the sermon developed in its form, its contents and also its place in the liturgy. Science arid the situation in the society influenced the preaching arid vice versa. The sermon once consisted of advice from the minister. But it changed after the Reformation. This thesis analyses the relation between the sermon and the text and flow the text is interpreted. The Bible must be the basis of the sermon. It is the only standard to determine whether the preaching is right. The theme and the purpose of the sermon must be harmonious with the theme and the purpose of the text. In some cases, the preacher has to look for an extension of that theme and purpose of the text. The form of the sermon influences the hearers. It is significant for the hearer’s response. The form of the sermon has to be harmonious with the form of the text. Structurally, the forms of the sermon which are usually used in Indonesia have both weaknesses and strength. There is not a perfect form of the sermon. Therefore, the preacher has to avoid the weaknesses and the pitfalls of the particular form he or she uses, so that he or she is still faithful to the text. Are there any ways to make the sermon relevant? The task of the preacher is not to make the text relevant, but to transfer a relevant message from the past to the present. The sermon must tie a communicative sermon. The gap between the text and the hearers must be bridged by the preacher. The use of improper ways of bridging this gap can make the preacher become an unfaithful preacher to God. The preacher has to interpret properly. The illustration is another way to communicate the ancient text to the modern hearers. The sermon is an important part in the worship service and in the lives of the believers. Therefore the preacher lies to be well equipped so that he or she is able to preach well and faithfully. The Theological seminary as a training center, hopefully provides a balanced curriculum of studying and training for the students. The students are not only experts in understanding and interpreting the texts, but also skilled in delivering the message. Preaching is not only a science, but also a mandate from God.