Jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker once said, “If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.” He’s talking about depth and authenticity in music. It goes beyond getting the notes right; it’s music that touches one’s soul. That’s why listening to Parker is a different experience than listening to, say, Yanni or Kenny G.
The same could be said for our preaching. If you don’t live it, it won’t ring true in your sermon.
This doesn’t mean that you must master prayer before you can preach on prayer. You don’t have to attain sinless perfection before you can preach on holiness. But it does mean that you need to know something of the struggles related to both before you can develop messages that genuinely help your listeners in their struggles. As Paul said, “I may not be a trained speaker, but I do know what I’m talking about.” (1 Corinthians 11:6)
Too often our sermons are filled with easy promises: Jesus gives you joy, the Holy Spirit comforts you, God answers prayer. These are things we know are true, and it is also true that sometimes joy and comfort and answered prayer elude us. It is also true that the Christian life contains some dark nights. This difficult (though temporary) reality must be reflected in our teaching.
For preaching to be powerful, it must be personal. It must reflect your experience — your victories as well as your struggles.
Charlie Parker talked about authenticity in music. It’s authenticity that is most needed in the sermons we preach. This is what touches the hearts of people.
