About 4 or 5 years ago a preacher approached me after I finished my sermon at a conference and said “You’re a big God preacher.” At first I thought he was accusing me of arrogance. I had to stop for a minute and repeat what he said in my mind. He was saying that I preached God as big. After an awkward pause I said “Yes! And a little man preacher too!” For some reason that short conversation has remained stuck in my memory.
Now that I’ve digested that statement he blurted out a few years ago, I’m convinced that preacher was onto something. We can present God as big or small and we can present man as big or small. Looking back on my ministry I can say that I have consistently sought to proclaim a big God. I have made much of His sovereignty, omnipotence, and self sufficiency. I have harped on His love, mercy and grace countless times. All while emphasizing our helpless condition and utter dependence on God alone to save and sustain us.
It never dawned on me that all preachers fall into one of two categories. Those who preach a big man and a little god, and those who preach a big God and a little man. While both kinds of preachers have always been around, it seems to me that the big man preachers are in the majority these days.
You can spot a little God preacher pretty quick as he presents a God who can’t act without a man. “God wants to send a revival, but we won’t pray for it.” “He wants to save us but our free will stops Him.” Or one of my favorites growing up “I pray the Holy Spirit would have freedom to...” Folks, the Holy Spirit is God and his freedom isn’t granted by your prayers. That’s little god theology and it’s become so mainstream that we don’t see anything wrong with it anymore. God’s lucky to have someone like us, you know it?
As little god preaching has gained in popularity, Biblical Christianity has slid to new lows. Most 21st century church goers are offended by big God preaching. They are accustom to uplifting self help lectures geared toward them achieving greatness. Yet historically, Bible preaching has consisted of Christ exalting sermons that break and humble us to seek God for help.
“Well Bro Harold, modern man doesn’t need big God preaching anymore. We have evolved and now only need short positive encouraging non judgmental life lessons.” No sir, what man needs today is the Truth. Truth is, that mankind is but dust. Man’s heart is as rotten and his mind is corrupt. And God, He is way bigger than I can ever proclaim Him. God dwells in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
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