When the author was younger and
learning how to write sermons/preach, he always thought he needed some sort of
hook. That is, he felt as if he needed some angle to make the sermon more
interesting and to keep the attention of the audience. It was to the point that
he once concocted the idea of preaching a sermon in a suit of two colors. Half
of his suit was to be white and the other half was to be black. The intent was
to preach a sermon from the standpoint of “If Satan were to stand in the
pulpit, what would he tell the audience?” The author would stand with one side
facing the congregation and preach one message and then turn with the other
side facing the congregation and preach the truth. While an interesting idea,
this sermon likely would have caused more confusion than anything else.
There are many who will use hooks
to try to attract people. For instance, the author remembers of hearing of a
preacher who was holding a gospel meeting. He announced to the congregation
that on the next night, he would prove that Noah was a female. This caused a
stir within the congregation who made mention of this to others. The next
night, said preacher quoted from Joshua
17:3. “But Zelophehad, the son of
Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons,
but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah,
Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.” People were less than thrilled. While there is
nothing inherently wrong with using an angle to attract people it can cause
problems. If that is all people expect of you, they will be disappointed and
lose interest when you do not. Angles, hooks, and tricks are short term things
by way of attracting others. In the long
run, they ultimately fail.
Rather than getting hooked on
hooks, why not rely on the gospel to attract and teach others. “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor
of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust
with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth
our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a
cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of
you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of
Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto
you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear
unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night
and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto
you the gospel of God.” (1 Thess.
2:3-9). Rely on the gospel of Christ. At the end of the day it is the
gospel that saves the soul and not some hook (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
