In the midst of the national controversy about the Alaskan “bridge to nowhere,” I was reminded of the illustration that pictures a sermon as a bridge from one shore (the word of God) to another shore (human experience or culture). I couldn’t help but ask myself about my recent sermons, “Were they a bridge to somewhere, or a bridge to nowhere?”
Preachers who build sermons (bridges) must carefully construct both piers. A sermon ought to have a solid foundation in the word of God. One who seeks to speak for God should speak accurately. One must also seek to make clear how the word of God will land in the life experiences of the hearers. Most of the sermons I hear or read don’t fail in the takeoff, they fail in the landing. Where is the sermon going? How will it touch the other shore? How will it provide connection between God’s will and the daily experience of the hearers?
I am confident my readers can flesh out the details. I repeat the question: Was the sermon you preached (heard) last Sunday a bridge to somewhere, or a bridge to nowhere?