SO WHAT REALLY IS THE PURPOSE OF TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD ? DO WE REALLY EXPECT THOUGH THE TEACHING OF GOD'S WORD, LIVES CAN BE HELPED, CHANGED AND UPLIFTED?
Of course, listeners vary and have different things that they are looking for in a preacher. A listener’s theology will determine his or her sense of the sermon. Those who are committed to a high view of Scripture might expect something different than one committed to a more active view of the work of the Holy Spirit. Learning style is a factor in considering the effectiveness of a sermon. Some listeners learn best through reflection and others prefer a more active and participatory approach. Culture will affect one’s evaluation of a sermon. Where we come from, what generation, we belong to, our denomination, our economic situation, and our gender all play a part in determining the kind of preacher we best respond to.
A good sermon helps people hear from God. This is as helpful a definition of preaching as I know. Preachers work to connect people with the voice of God. If a listener does not sense that she or he has been in the presence of God and heard something meaningful from him, then the sermon could not have been that good. As such, the sermon does not have to fit any particular pre-fab form. The sermon as a medium can flex to respond to the interests and concerns of any culture and situation. If it helps people hear what God is saying, it is a good sermon, regardless of the preacher’s style. This underlines, of course, a dependence on the Scriptures.
