An interesting thing about blogging is length. How long should a blog be? You can find all kinds of advice, from "short and sweet" to "appropriate length" (who knows what that means) to numbers of words. The same problem comes up in judging sermons.
Short and sweet is an interesting phrase. The two concepts go well together. A blog or a sermon or a lecture to a child should not be longer than is necessary to get and keep his attention. As a preacher, I know that length really does matter. Those who say "I will preach as long as I need" are thinking backward. They should preach as long as it benefits their people. You can sometimes see how an audience gradually loses interest in a sermon as it gets longer. Paul was never long-winded in his writings, I am not sure why it should take me forever to explain a section of them to a congregation.
Sweet is also important. How hard do we, as preachers and teachers, work on being sweet? It is not enough to tell people truth, you must tell them in a way that works for them. We do not water down the truth or avoid the truth, but we also do not hit people over the head with it. The word of God should be sweet to the people of God. Even when it rebukes or deals with opposition, a sermon should do so with gentleness. 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
If you are teaching this week, think about sweetness. How are you presenting the truths of your word? Some men seem like they relish opposition and preach as if all of God's people were enemies who needed condemnation. Such preaching is not sweet.
We should all remember the words of truth: "The wise of heart is called discerning,and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." Proverbs 16:21.
Short and sweet is often a very good standard.
Short and sweet is an interesting phrase. The two concepts go well together. A blog or a sermon or a lecture to a child should not be longer than is necessary to get and keep his attention. As a preacher, I know that length really does matter. Those who say "I will preach as long as I need" are thinking backward. They should preach as long as it benefits their people. You can sometimes see how an audience gradually loses interest in a sermon as it gets longer. Paul was never long-winded in his writings, I am not sure why it should take me forever to explain a section of them to a congregation.
Sweet is also important. How hard do we, as preachers and teachers, work on being sweet? It is not enough to tell people truth, you must tell them in a way that works for them. We do not water down the truth or avoid the truth, but we also do not hit people over the head with it. The word of God should be sweet to the people of God. Even when it rebukes or deals with opposition, a sermon should do so with gentleness. 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
If you are teaching this week, think about sweetness. How are you presenting the truths of your word? Some men seem like they relish opposition and preach as if all of God's people were enemies who needed condemnation. Such preaching is not sweet.
We should all remember the words of truth: "The wise of heart is called discerning,and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." Proverbs 16:21.
Short and sweet is often a very good standard.