Stop Performing in the Pulpit

In his book, Fresh Power, Jim Cymbala asks the question, "What is a Spirit-filled preacher?" For a preacher like me, that's a good question. Using the apostle Peter as an example, Cymbala provides a helpful answer:

"Many of us have heard oratory and cleverness in the pulpit. We've seen showmanship and listened to smoothly worded phrases. In contrast to all this, here is Peter, a fisherman with no formal training in homiletics, giving a simple but powerful message... He points them to the Savior... He wasn't... performing. His heart had been filled with the love of God through the Holy Spirit." 

Now I do not discount the value of homiletical instruction. However, the power of the gospel is not in alliteration, rhymes or funny stories (as helpful as they can be in communication). The power is the gospel itself—the message that points sinners to a Savior and his cross. 

For someone who had tried so hard to preach well, I realize that much of my efforts have been a form of man-centered performance. There is no power there, since a performance is about the preacher's reputation, and not the reputation of Jesus. So I repent, want to stop performing in the pulpit, and look forward, Lord willing, for more opportunities to magnify the reputation of Jesus by preaching the simple message of grace in the gospel.