By Steve Higginbotham
Questions are a powerful way to help people see truths they otherwise might miss. Jesus was masterful with his use of questions. Rather than preaching a lengthy sermon, he could accomplish the same end with a simple question that elicited reflection and exposed hypocrisy and inconsistency among his hearers.
For instance, consider the impact these questions of Jesus must have had on his hearers: “Why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3). “The baptism of John–was it from heaven or from men?” (Luke 20:4). “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed rather than on a lamp stand?” (Mark 4:21). “How is it that you seek praise from one another and not seek the praise that comes from God?” (John 5:44).
As I ponder these questions of Jesus, I would like to ask a few questions of my own that may need to be answered. These questions may do as much good as a lengthy sermon.
Consider: Is it possible we have more concern over the instrument we are not authorized to use during our congregational singing, than the instrument we are commanded to use during our congregational singing (i.e. our hearts)? (Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:19). Is it possible that we demand the weekly observance of the Lord’s supper, but give little attention to how weakly we observe the Lord’s Supper? Is it possible we show more concern over someone calling our preachers, “Reverend” than being reverend in our daily conduct? Is it possible we give more attention to doctrinal purity than we do to moral purity? Is it possible that we could be more invested in an issue because of who’s right and who’s wrong than what’s right and what’s wrong? Is it possible that we invest more of our money, time, and talents in the betterment of our communities and nation than we do in the church of Christ?
Not every sermon involves a long treatise with many words. The above six questions only contain a total of 154 words, but I hope they elicit a thoughtful consideration of these issues with respect to your life.