"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Ephesians 5:6, ESV
Many pastors preach pointless, useless, and lifeless sermons on Sunday mornings. From self-help to esteem boosting, their messages appear to be a good word from the Lord but are actually a deadly deception. They help people cope in a sinful world without spiritual instruction on planning for the next. This is dangerous. People can hear a sermon on marriage protection and never hear the truth of salvation, sanctification, holiness, and how to escape the consequences of sin. They will go to hell.
This is Paul's point. Don't sit in the pew and allow your preacher to preach empty words. "Empty" is the word "kenos" in the original language. It refers to words devoid of truth that can help people prepare to live with and stand before God. Church people, don't put up with that.
The truth is that a self-help sermon might fix a lost person's situation but leave them falsely confident of being OK with God. Many churches are satisfied with their preachers fixing their temporary problems and ignoring their eternal ones. The deception will be obvious when those congregants stand before God. A good sermon might advise fixing the issue but will always tell people that God can fix their sin problem and save them for eternity. A good sermon will include salvation, sanctification, and security in Christ. Anything else is a bonus.
Don't let your guy preach the bonus without preaching how to gain it. Your prayer:
"God, please keep my preacher in the meat of the word. Bring lost people to our church to hear the gospel's message and how it can change their lives. Let our preacher focus on increasing our faith instead of only increasing our happiness and fixing our problems. I love you, Jesus. Amen."
Don't take the fluff without the good stuff. - Pastor Mike