“Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” – 1 Corinthians 14:19
Once upon a time, there were no cell phones, no GPS systems, if you were to find yourself lost while traveling you had a map and if that failed you; it was down to stopping and asking for directions. There was nothing more frustrating than having to stop, get out, and ask the local’s “how do I get to the interstate?” Only to find the local respond to your question with: “Well, what you need to do is turn right out of here, that will take you right by where that old bakery used to be, once you pass it hang a left. Keep a look out for Jimmy’s place, you know Jimmy, because once you pass Jimmy’s you will need to slow down and hang a right at the old dump. That road will take over the creek, which will lead you to fifty-one north which will take you right to the interstate.” You then thanked him, leaving with a lot of words and no direction.
The local was speaking the same language, yet he was not speaking the same language. This man was given “directions” to men like him. “Local’s” so to speak, those who know the area, know the culture, speak the language, and could discern the rhetoric. By and by, a complete stranger walks into the shop asking for directions he gives him words but no direction. There was no understanding gained, because the speech was unknown. The references and landmarks that the local was using, the stranger did not know so the value of what he was saying was lost. As church going Christians, we must be very careful not to find ourselves falling into the same trap. If the members are not careful a “language or tongue” can develop within the church; this is not to say that one person is to blame, however, like any small, tight knit community, we can get so comfortable talking to one another it will be difficult for new people coming in the door to understand what we are talking about. That sermon on Melchisedec may have been really deep, but if no one in the congregation knows who Melchisedec is it might not be so powerful. The Sunday School lesson that picks up in Exodus chapter twelve might be rich for most of us, but that poor soul who doesn’t know Exodus, or Moses might need a quick summary. Now granted, there will always be parts of sermon’s, and pieces of conversation that some people listening will not be able to follow (I know this to be true because I am one of them), however the thrust of the message is this; when it comes to speaking, teaching, and preaching let us use great plainness of speech endeavoring to be clearly understood. Furthermore, let us guard against constant preaching, teaching, speaking to only people who preach, teach, and speak as we do. As Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” You might take a down the line, sin killing, Jesus exalting text and preach it with all might; weaving in Romans, Ephesians, and throwing in some Old Testament examples for good measure; however, what good is it if the whole of congregation is saved, and the few sinners that are not can’t follow it? They have the words but not the direction. God help us to preach and preach plain. Church language and rhetoric evolves over time within a compartmentalized culture of church people. Then, the next generation is raised under the same rhetoric, and conditioned to preach the same way, but if your language has evolved into “local’s only” speech; what good is it to the common sinner whom you should be trying to save?
It is without question and contention that the Holy Ghost can guide us in this regard as true as any. Furthermore, a consistent and constant push to reach out to the lost and unchurch will guard against any growth of “local’s only” type speech. Paul prayed and endeavored to speak the language (that is Hebrew or Greek) to those in the church who spoke Hebrew or Greek, so let us pray and endeavor to speak the plain gospel to the lost; speak so as to give them clear instruction on how to get to heaven. Do not try to water it down or dress it up; give the gospel directly so that they may have direction. God help us to tell people how to get to heaven, in words that can be understood. Even if it costs us our lives.
