Personal “Application”

In Christian Home and School (March, 1979) Dr. Wolterstorff, professor of philosophy at Calvin College, notes that some students of our Christian schools do not appreciate the school that taught them, that they even feel resentment against these schools. He holds that to prevent this, the kingship of Christ and its implications should be stressed. Teaching that may develop closeness between the Savior–King and the students, with closeness between teacher and student.

That makes one think of disloyalty to our church in some places, and ask the question whether our people, especially ministers, elders and deacons impressed the congregations with the value and merit of our church prior to the departure of those who left. With the preaching of sound doctrine, has there been a follow-up of “personal application”? To ask the question points to the answer: there has been a lack of that in much preaching. To this lack I call attention in this paper, along with an admission of my own delinquency in this matter.

I. There is need of “application” in, and at the conclusion of the sermon; a need for the question to be pressed, “What does this mean to you?” True gospel preaching is challenging and makes an appeal; it demands an answer: there must be a “yes” to the Christ of the gospel. Christ may not and cannot be ignored. Jesus Himself worked and spoke in terms of challenge, of confrontation, and call for personal response. Paul (when there was trouble in Corinth) wrote two letters of correction, with the admonition, “Examine yourself whether you are in the faith” (II Cor. 13:5). Today there is among us also a great need for confrontation, questioning, counseling. The question, “What does the truth of the sermon mean to you?”, should not be neglected.

II. This challenging “application” is often lacking in today’s preaching. Exegetical preaching is a must, but there is a danger in objectivity that leaves a person cold. The hearer is left cold when conviction is stated, but with little outspoken desire to share. All this leaves a void. The congregation is not aroused to personal spiritual activity. There is no inventory of personal spiritual capital. The preacher should aim at the correction of this lack of spiritual self-consciousness. I do not call for undesirable self-centered pietism, mysticism, or emotionalism, but for a healthy self-consciousness.

III. This is with me a matter of experience, both in the pulpit and in the pew. In my first preaching the application was lacking. In my first church, I was reminded of this by the venerable Rev. J. Keizer, who preceded me there. After my Christmas sermon on “Jesus, Servant of Rome but Lord of the World,” I was reminded of “het behoeftig volk” (the needy searching souls). Fifty years after my ordination there, I visited the same church. Then and there I heard a sermon which amounted to a dogmatic treatise on an article of our creed; this with total absence of any call for personal inventory. Membership in my former church went down. Complaint was made at the “higher” church council, but . . . . In Otley, Iowa, the consistory requested more “application.” “You are a teacher, but not a preacher.” In Edmonton a deacon told me that my talk at the mission meant more to him than my sermon in church. I also noticed that many had a preference for catechetical preaching (as did my wife, Lena). A Roman Catholic immigrant liked my sermon on L.D. I: “What is your only comfort . . . ” After that, practical application became a matter of course in my preaching when I served as immigrants’ minister in Canada, 1949–1956. People at that time were troubled by low wages, poor housing, intermittent preaching services, and. resultant homesickness. There also was need of a practical approach when I was serving in Tacoma among the servicemen (and their wives) of Fort Lewis and. the airbase.

At Classis I mentioned the great need for application for the man in the pew in the preaching of our ministers which is otherwise sound. I also mentioned this need to several guest preachers who nearly all admitted their shortcomings in this respect, with thanks for the reminder.

I personally need the reassuring comfort of the “official” preaching: Scarlet and crimson sins become white as snow and wool, for you too (Isaiah 1:15). (This subject was discussed in my article on “Christian Wretchedness” in the Outlook of February, 1978.) As our churches are losing members, especially young people, could it be that these have not been sufficiently personally confronted, challenged, rebuked and/or comforted?

However, with this emphasis on “application” I would also emphasize that there must be something to apply; there must be substance (textual) to the preaching. Speaking the Word with inescapable authority, and that in love. The Author of this is the Holy Spirit of whom Jesus said: “He shall glorify me, for He shall receive of mine and shall give it unto you” (John 16:13–15). He is the One who makes rapport between the Word, the preacher and the believing soul . . . The Servant of the Holy One of Israel “shall not break the bruised reed and the smoking flax shall He not quench . . .” (Isaiah 42:3).

Therefore, my recommendation is: Sound, exegetical preaching, but with pertinent “application” for young and old.

Dwell in me, O blessed Spirit, How I need Thy help divine; In the way of life eternal, Keep, O keep this heart of mine.

Paul De Koekkoek is a retired CRC pastor living in Seattle, Washington.