What Was Missing?

            Last weekend, I visited a non-denominational mega-church. A couple of folks have asked me about that visit. On the one hand, I can see the appeal. It was a very simple ‘service.’ A few songs were song to warm up, and it seemed clear that the lead singer would carry the load of the singing: the rest of us could sing or not as we wanted. The preacher talked for about a half an hour and it was very conversational, easy to listen to.  They made an announcement and took the offering; while the offering was gathered the lead singer sang again. Then we left. Very simple. Very easy to step into.

            What was missing? The Gospel was missing. I wasn’t a big fan of the songs choices. They simply didn’t have the Gospel in them. I think the second song began with a reference to Jesus’ hands red with blood, but then the lyrics turned and the vast majority of the song was about the majestic, powerful Jesus. As a simple New Testament insight, Jesus isn’t glorified until after His suffering and death. Look at the book of Revelation, which contains some of the best ‘praise’ songs in the NT. There Jesus is worthy to be praised because He was slain (Rev 5:9). I get that some classic hymns have almost too many words, but some contemporary literature could use to actually say something.

            The preacher’s sermon was devoid of the Gospel, too. He talked at some length, but a lot of what he said seemed like a fairly basic Bible study. He made some general sanctification comments about taking opportunities, even if we’d rather not, to achieve some greater good. I thought he should have made a point about Jesus right there, that the cross wasn’t a particularly desirable choice for Him, but the greater good that He accomplished was well worth it. That would have been a great Gospel insight!

            Now I want to stipulate: I preach a lot, and I don’t always get the Gospel as firmly in there as I should. So, I don’t ever want to be judged on one sermon, and I’m reluctant to judge another preacher on a single sermon: everyone has an off day.

            But here’s the thing: when I miss with my sermon, the Gospel is still song in the hymns, proclaimed in the Absolution, articulated in the prayers, confessed in the Creed, and distributed in the Lord’s Supper.

            This weekend, I was reminded just how thoroughly Lutheran worship is saturated with the Gospel. I missed that, and I was reminded just how thankful I am that I’m a Lutheran and that we make the Gospel the center of all we do.