Why You Need Sermons That Don’t Directly Apply to You

How do you listen to a sermon that’s not about you? How can you benefit from a talk on anxiety if you’re not worried, marriage if you’re not married, or depression if you’re not down? I’m preaching through 1 Peter, and coming across some passages with specific target audiences—like Christian wives, many with non-Christian husbands (1 Pet. 3:1–6)—all vital topics for Christians in these situations.

But can all members of our churches benefit from these passages? Should we even try?

Expositional preaching forces us to tackle each passage that comes up in the flow of given biblical book. It might be addressed to first-century slaves. It might be about fathers or mothers. It might be for those actively persecuted for their faith.

I assume pastors shouldn’t skip these passages and listeners shouldn’t ignore them. But are there specific reasons we should listen and learn, even when it feels we’re not the intended audience? Yes. Here are six good reasons. Read More

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Just Because Jesus Taught That Way Doesn't Mean You Should, Too