Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

Offensive Preaching

George Whitefield was an incredibly influential preacher in the 18th century, both in Great Britain and in colonial America.

Obviously the cultural context of Whitefield is much different than ours today, but truth is unchanging.  Here's one of my favorite quotes from George Whitefield.

"It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher."

I've had people tell me that I preach too strong or say things that are offensive.  Earlier this year, someone called me a jerk because of what I preached.  If you said that to George Whitefield, he would thank you for the compliment. And so do I.

I step onstage every week knowing that I will comfort someone and I will offend someone. If you are offended by a sermon, it's probably because the sermon touched a nerve. It hit a little too close to home.  The preacher called you out on something and you don't like it.

I actually don't enjoy offending people…but I'm not going to stop. And here's why.  John the Baptist didn't stop.  Peter didn't stop.  Paul didn't stop.  Jesus didn't stop.

All these Scriptural preachers preached the truth.  The hard, unvarnished, offensive truth. They created a lot of tension…but the truth they preached also saved a ton of people.

If I have to offend someone to save someone else, I'll do it. Every time.  Because, generally speaking, the person who is offended is already going to heaven.  The person who needs to be saved is not.  And I'll do anything to change that.

I am in lockstep with George Whitefield. If a sermon offends no one, that really is a poor excuse for a sermon.  Because the truth always offends.

And it always saves.