The Word of God

 In some church circles the reading of the Scripture is followed by the reader saying, "The Word of God for the people of God,"  and then in response the people say, "Thanks be to God."  I remember a seminary prof who always said it was important the Scripture be read in every worship service because it might be the only moment when the Word of God was actually heard.  Unfortunately, such a reality still exists in many places.  However, there is at least one other time when the same ritual could be used and that moment is at the end of the sermon.    

Not many preachers would speak with such boldness.  But, then, it may not be so much a matter of boldness as it is a matter of conviction.  It would seem that today's corp of preachers are not so sure that preaching bears the divine imprint to the point that the ancient prophetic formula, "Thus says the Lord,"  (Jeremiah 6:16)  or the contemporary liturgical ritual could rightly be used.  Most might experience too much personal embarrassment to speak of their preaching as "The Word of God for the people of God."     

Somewhere within this hesitancy to speak of preaching in such a way is the problem with much of today's preaching.  It lacks authority.  It is too filled with personal opinions.  Instead of saying, "The Word of God,"  it is more likely that those in the pew will hear the preacher saying too many times, "I think..."  Once again I remember the seminary preaching prof also saying, "People are not  interested in what you think, but what the Word of God is saying."   It is a reminder still worthy of remembering.