I’ve been wanting to write a post on some things to look out for when looking for a church. It can be difficult and I know a lot of people in transition (getting married/moving/etc.) and it’s hard to know what to look for and easy to keep bouncing from church to church. I think Shai Linne makes it real clear what the 1st mark of a healthy church is in his song “Expositional preaching.” So click play and follow along with the lyrics below!
(There’s a lot of confusion about what makes up a healthy church. So we’ll look at the 1st mark. Because without this one, you’re in bad shape)
With our raps we adore our Master and Lord/
Jesus Christ who deserves all our claps and applause/
For the wrath that he bore, at the cross for our blasts, acts of a whore/
He gave up his life with a passionate roar/
Was raised up to heights where he sat at before/
After this all, he gave pastors the call/
To ministry found in second Timothy chapter four/
Verse 1 and 2, what I first wanna’ do is come to you/
The church, to reverse a funny view/
So let me ask a question: “What’s most essential?/
What is that gives the local church it’s credential?”/
Some would say music, some would say deacons/
Others say preaching the lost and soul-seekin’/
But if we wanna’ give God the glory in our meetin’s/
The most important things is Expository Preachin’/
Preach the Word, preach the Word/
We need sound theology to deal with reality/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We got enough rappers, we need more pastors/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We need and deep application/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
(This verse is for the congregation, this is what you need to be listening for:)
Let me explain what I mean, it’s not too complex/
It’s preaching God’s word in its proper context/
As you listen, be discerning /
What you have to determine:/
Was the point of the passage, the point of the sermon?/
If not, then this problem must be confronted today/
Because he just used the Bible to say what he wanted to say/
And even if it’s delivered with fire and intelligence/
That’s basically making what God has inspired irrelevant/
Instead of applying the Word’s realities/
A lot of pastors relying on personality/
But give self-communication could never be a true replacement/
For the Holy Spirit’s illumination/
Without exposition you’ll lack major profit/
All you’ll get is tradition and your pastor’s favorite topics/
And that can be a slippery slope/
The word should be givin’ you hope/
This dude is just givin’ you jokes/
That won’t help you love Christ. It won’t help your obedience/
We need more expositors not more comedians/
Labor in the text, then faithfully connect/
You to the Savior, then wait for it’s effects/
God gives the increase; holiness, love, unity/
The Word faithfully preached builds up the whole community/
If not, your Sunday meal will not last/
And you’ll have to supplement it with a podcast/
No entertainers! That won’t sustain us/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
Careful instruction-not a big production/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We don’t need theatrics and man-centered tactics/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We’re on the brink of eternity, please speak earnestly/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
(This verse is for the Pastors):
Ya ‘all should be mindful of this devout thesis:/
All of the Bible is about Jesus!/
The Old Testament? Jesus Christ concealed/
The New Testament? Jesus Christ revealed/
This truth of the Lord, Christ boldly conveyed this/
In Luke 24 on the Road to Emmaus/
The lot of prophets and the teaching of apostles/
All of these point back to Jesus and the gospel/
So if the work of Christ is what the Word is about/
Ultimately that should be what the sermons about/
Forget applause, ya gotta let the cross rock ya/
All roads in the bible lead to Golgotha/
Whatever the text, faithfulness demands/
That we should hear the echoes of nails hittin’ his hands/
Don’t try to be original, save the old story/
And watch your people change, as they behold glory/
The Glory of Jesus, we need to see this/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
Make Christ the center, so new life could enter/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
Give us the whole counsel along with the gospel/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
This is your duty, to show us God’s beauty/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!
Note from Heather: Don’t think that because you are a woman the resources about preaching (that Shai Linne mentioned) are only for men. As women, they help us too. They help us to be discerning about the churches we attend. I read “He is Not Silent” by Albert Mohler. It’s about preaching. I will never be a pastor but that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant for me.