A Fantasy Sermon and Church
Introduction and Text
The Preacher
Having preached since 1950, and being in his upper eighties, The Old Fool sometimes ponders what he would say if he were asked at his age to give an introductory sermon to a declining congregation whose faith was mired in the dogmas of the sixteenth century, diluted with a blend of popular conservatism, and tempted to believe the prosperity gospel they hear on television and radio.
The Old Fool imagines that the congregation he is preaching to is discouraged, tired, and is about ready to give up the faith and disband. Nevertheless it is thoughtful, loving, trusting, appropriately suspicious and cautious, and willing to give this aged pastor the benefit of at least one sermon.
The Old Fool preached his first sermon in Tampa, Florida, on the last Sunday of March, 1950. His text was I Cor. 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Unwittingly, The Old Fool had chosen the theme of his preaching for much of his life.
Now, 62 years later, The Old Fool adds 2 Corinthians 4:5 to his text. Paul and Timothy wrote, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” The main theme of their preaching was still Jesus, but they acknowledged that their own stories were mingled with the Jesus story. The Old Fool has lived a long life. Now, his preaching of Jesus as Lord likewise has an autobiographical tone.
The next post will share a few of The Old Fool’s thoughts about God.
