What If Satan Subpoenaed Your Sermons?

The backlash over a recent subpoena of sermons in Houston, Texas has been loud and it has been clear. When the mayor’s office asked for all records pertaining to a particular order, including sermons preached by several local church leaders, even some who are very liberal stated that she had overstepped her bounds. While Mayor Annise Parker has since backed down (a bit), many were very concerned about how “Big Brother” this all sounds.

But I have a bigger question for those of us who preach: What if Satan was to subpoena your sermons?

Far too much of what passes as Christian preaching is nothing more than self-help talk or glorified after-dinner material. Tell a few jokes. Give everyone a pep talk. Throw in some Song of Solomon for spice, and viola! you’ve got 15 minutes or so that will fill some time on Sunday and make people feel better.

I wonder how that preaching compares with that of Jesus Christ? How does it match up with what we see in the life of men like Paul?

When Paul met with the Ephesian elders, knowing it would likely be the last time he would see them face-to-face, he gave a powerful and heartfelt speech. Included in those words, he said, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Instead of preaching feel good sermons each time he stood before people, Paul was able–by inspiration–to state that he had declared all that God wanted said.

Preaching does not just involve exhortation, though that is certainly included. Yes, we who preach need to fill people with hope, because that is the “product” of walking with Jesus.

But Paul, writing to a younger preacher, shared that preaching the Word includes exhortation, but also reproving and rebuking (2 Timothy 4:2). No preacher should enjoy times when he must speak a word that is hard to hear–one that rebukes–but no Gospel preacher should ever shy away from it, either.

You see, Satan does not mind in the least if people come to a church building, so long as they are not being fed the full counsel of God. When people are told that “they” have all the answers and that God will just give them whatever they want, Satan is fine with that. After all, it’s not Biblical.

But preachers, I challenge us all to look back over what we have preached lately. In the last 1-2 years, have you been bold enough to preach…

…that the one who aborts a baby is shedding innocent blood, and the Lord hates such (Proverbs 6:16-17)?

…that one who practices homosexuality cannot enter heaven, but must be washed clean of that sin by the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)?

…that worshiping only as we prefer, and not as God commands, is idolatrous and selfish (John 4:24)?

…that immodesty, though culturally acceptable, is sinful and shameful (1 Timothy 2:9-10)?

…that we are responsible for our entertainment choices, and will be judged if we choose to entertain ourselves with sinful actions like blasphemy and adultery (Romans 1:32)?

…that there is just one Church and not many ways to God (John 14:6; Matthew 16:16; Ephesians 4:4)?

If Satan were to get into your files, or seek them by subpoena, would he have enough evidence to put you on the witness stand?

And would it be for his side, or for the Lord’s?

“Preach the Word!”

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