Jump Start # 4113
1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.”
Well, I did it the other day. I don’t think I would have done it on my own had I not be prompted to do it. My son Jordan who preaches in Dallas asked me recently, “Dad, have you ever had Ai anaylze your sermons?” I thought, “Why would I? Do I want a punch in the stomach? What does Ai know about preaching?” Preaching is creativity. Preaching is an extension of one’s personality. Would Ai get that?
I caved in and asked Ai to critique my sermons—what are my strengths and weaknesses. The results were not what I would have listed. Under greatest strengths Ai said: “You preach with a shepherd’s heart; You see the big picture of Scripture; Your sermons are memorable; You preach hope; You understand pacing.”
Then under “Areas that could be stronger: Sometimes you move too quickly (Often you see connections instantly. Your audience doesn’t); Let the emotion linger; allow more vulnerability.” Then under “Something distinctive about your preaching” Ai said “You leave a congregation not with dependence upon you but confidence in Christ.”
Well, after that little exercise, I asked Ai to compare my preaching with my son Jordan. Ai made a chart comparing our styles. Mine was considered “Pastoral, reflective.” Jordan’s was “energetic, direct.” Then Ai said our preaching was most alike: both of you preach Scripture first; both care about transformation; both genuinely love the church.”
Then Ai showed the differences in our preaching. Ai said my preaching was “like sitting beside a trusted grandfather. Jordan’s preaching reminds me more of a coach.” Jordan’s strengths, according to Ai was “freshness, pace, bold challenge.” Ai then said, “What I suspect people experience after hearing Jordan, ‘that challenged me.’ After hearing me, ‘that steadied me.’ Both are valuable, Ai said. One stirs the heart to action and the other anchors the soul for the journey. Ai ended this comparison by saying: “Jordan often preaches with the energy of a builder. You preach with the wisdom of a shepherd.”
It seemed to me that Ai was being overly kind, generous and complimentary. There were some statements that I’d probably question and even push back on, but I wonder how many sermons Ai has preached? Writing sermons and delivering sermons are not the same. Often what looks great on paper doesn’t come across that way when preached.
I wondered what Ai would say about me as a person? Or, what would Ai say about my walk with the Lord? It’s one thing to get the approval of others but what the Lord says matters most. Ai would likely say that Jesus moved too quickly from subject to subject in the sermon on the mount. What others say is secondary to what the Lord says.
Ai is a tool. Like any tool, it can be helpful and useful or it can control us and be used for wrong things. Don’t be afraid of it. Find positive ways to use it in kingdom work.
I wonder if we analyzed Paul’s sermons with Peter’s sermons with Apollo’s sermons what we’d find out? The Corinthians didn’t think too highly of Paul’s preaching. Apollos is described as being fervent in speech. Our competitive spirits would want to find out which one was the best. Is there such a thing in preaching? Isn’t the best sermons the ones that move me closer to the Lord?
Now, will the Ai examination of my sermons be on my mind the next time I’m in the pulpit? As I prepare to retire from local preaching, I am still interested in how to be better. I want to improve and be the best that I can for sake of the Lord.
Preaching is a funny thing. Everyone in the audience has an idea of how it should be. The best resource is God’s word.
Roger