PROPHETIC, NOT PARTISAN
Let me paint a picture for you: two pastors, in the same city, right here in Georgia. Both love Jesus, both preach the Bible, and both have rolled up their sleeves to help stock the local food pantry. Lately, though, they’re both losing sleep over a homeless encampment that’s sprung up near the city park. Parents want a safe place for their kids to play. Business owners are nervous. And let’s be honest, folks sleeping outside still need a place to lay their heads.
By Monday, the city council is talking about clearing out the encampment. By Saturday, everyone in town has an opinion, and suddenly, social media is full of armchair experts who know exactly what should be done.
The first pastor opens his Bible to Romans 13 and talks about how the government’s job is to keep order. That’s true enough. But then he goes on to praise the city officials who want to clear the park, brushes off their critics as troublemakers, and hints that real Christians ought to know which side to take. Folks leave church feeling pretty sure the problem is with those other people.
The second pastor cares about public safety too. He might even agree with the city’s plan. But he opens up to James 2 and asks what it really means to honor people whose clothes smell like last night’s sidewalk. He brings up Romans 13 but doesn’t use it as an excuse to ignore hurting people. Instead, he asks if the city has any real solutions lined up—and if his own church is willing to roll up their sleeves and help.
Then he starts to meddle. Who’s willing to partner with a local ministry that knows what they’re doing? Who can help someone get a new ID or make it to a doctor’s appointment? What do our volunteers need to stay safe? And do we even know the names of the folks living in those tents?
Both pastors tackled the same public problem. One rallied the troops for his political team. The other held up both the city’s plan and his own church’s actions to the light of Scripture.
That difference matters. Our churches need preaching that helps us follow Jesus right where we live—even when it gets uncomfortable or doesn’t fit neatly into anyone’s political box.
I wish I could say I’m always like that second pastor. Truth is that my own ministry and preaching have looked a lot more like the first. The first way is easier. It’s tidier. But serving people in Jesus’ name—especially the ones right outside our doors—gets messy fast. And don’t hold your breath waiting for a thank-you note from city hall.
The prophetic preachers before us
The prophets of Israel didn’t pull any punches. They called out economic injustice, crooked leaders, and the way God’s people ignored the vulnerable. They knew that real worship and true faithfulness meant standing up for those on the margins. Imagine that—justice as part of worship!
Amos condemned those who sold the righteous for silver and the destitute for sandals (Amos 2:6). More telling for us, God despised their religious festivals and offerings when they neglected justice. Hence Amos’ most popular verse: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24, ESV).
Isaiah pronounced judgment against those who wrote oppressive laws, robbed the poor of their rights, and preyed on widows and orphans (Isaiah 10:1–2). He challenged their fasting by calling them to free the oppressed, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless (Isaiah 58:6–7).
Jeremiah condemned the king for building wealth by withholding workers’ wages (Jeremiah 22:13–17). Micah brought it into focus: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV).
Lest you think the New Testament stays silent, James condemns economic exploitation and describes pure religion as visiting orphans and widows in their affliction (James 5:1–6; 1:27). John questions how God’s love can abide in someone who sees a brother in need and refuses help (1 John 3:17). Jesus announces that Isaiah’s promise of liberty for captives and sight for the blind is fulfilled in him (Luke 4:18–21). John the Baptist tells the crowd to share possessions, tax collectors to be fair, and soldiers not to abuse power (Luke 3:10–14). Prophetic concern for society hardly ends with Malachi.
Making preaching prophetic
When I say prophetic, I’m talking about faithfully applying God’s written Word to the world we live in right now. I’m not claiming any new revelation or putting myself or anyone else on par with Isaiah or Amos. My authority—and yours—only goes as far as we stick to what Scripture actually says and means.
Prophetic preaching shines a light on the gap between what God commands and how we actually live. It calls us—through the gospel—to repent and obey. It doesn’t just talk about personal sins, but also the habits and blind spots we’ve picked up as a church family, even the ones we’d rather not mention in polite company.
Nathan confronted David over Bathsheba and the killing of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:1–14). Amos denounced worship alongside exploitation (Amos 5:10–24). Rooted in God’s commands, these covenant accusations challenged their own people because loyalty to God directed their message.
We should apply those passages carefully. The United States is not Old Testament Israel; the church cannot transfer Israel’s covenant identity to America. God’s concern for truth, sexual faithfulness, and justice still instructs us. We read the prophets through God’s promises fulfilled in Christ, not as a modern campaign.
Paul told Timothy to “preach the word,” with correction, encouragement, and patient instruction (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV). That gives us both substance and manner. A sermon needs enough biblical substance to correct us and enough patient instruction to help us change.
Partisan preaching puts loyalty to a political team front and center. The Bible turns into ammo for defending our friends, taking shots at our opponents, or getting the result we want. You don’t even have to name a candidate—just stir up a little selective outrage and you’re there.
Preaching on abortion, racism, immigration, or sexual morality doesn’t automatically make a pastor partisan. Those subjects involve moral claims that Scripture addresses. A biblical conclusion may go along with one party's position and conflict with another's. Faithfulness requires no artificial quota of criticism for each side. It does require consistent standards, even when our preferred leaders fail them.
Our Baptist Faith and Message places social responsibility alongside evangelism, affirms Scripture's authority, and protects the conscience from demands beyond God's Word. Southern Baptists have confessional reasons to address public life carefully.1
Outrage is a lousy discipleship strategy
Ed Stetzer’s Christians in the Age of Outrage names a problem settled comfortably into church life. Writing on polarization, he warns that justified concern can become self-righteousness and political allegiance can displace the church’s gospel mission.2
That’s a real danger for us. You can be right about an issue and still be the worst advertisement for it. By Monday, the neighbor you wanted to invite to church has already seen what you called folks like him on Facebook Sunday afternoon.
Anger at cruelty or injustice can be appropriate. Ephesians 4:26–32 also subjects our anger to God's commands. We must examine what it produces. Does it move us to protect someone, tell the truth, and seek a remedy? Or does it make us eager for the next offense so we can enjoy despising somebody again?
Stetzer also reminds us to use discernment online and to build relationships that keep our gospel witness alive.3 Church, we need to remember that bearing false witness includes hitting ‘share’ on something that isn’t true. Tacking on ‘If this is true’ doesn’t make it holy.
Before you pass along a claim, go find the original quote. Read what came before and after the soundbite. Check a trustworthy news source or the actual document. And if you get it wrong, own up and set the record straight. That’s just basic obedience to the ninth commandment.
Pastor, let’s take a look at what our preaching actually encourages. Are folks leaving church better equipped to love their hard-to-love neighbors, or just more skilled at spotting this week’s bad guys? Outrage is available 24/7 on every phone. Our people need us to show them a better way.
Some convictions belong together
As Christians, we’re always juggling responsibilities that go hand in hand. We owe people both honesty and kindness. We’re called to respect real authority, but also to speak up when it goes off the rails. Our churches need both evangelism and practical acts of mercy—and we need to know what each one is for.
Take that homeless encampment. Public safety is important. So is the dignity of the folks sleeping outside. If a plan ignores violence or exploitation, it puts the most vulnerable at risk. If it just moves people out of sight, it doesn’t help them at all. Wrestling with both sides won’t make the decisions easy, but it will make us wiser.
The gospel is our foundation, every time. Jesus died for our sins and rose again—bodily, not just in spirit. We’re made right with God by grace through faith, not by fixing up the city (see 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 and Ephesians 2:8–10). That grace turns us into people who are ready to do good. We can give a meal, share Jesus, and help someone get back on their feet. And the person we help doesn’t owe us a conversion story or a vote for our favorite candidate.
Let’s not confuse a clear biblical command with a policy debate. Loving our neighbor is non-negotiable. Picking the right housing plan takes facts, wisdom, and a willingness to look at the results. Christians can disagree about the best approach—and we should be willing to change course if it’s not working.
Courage has a cost
Preaching prophetically can cost a pastor more than a few pats on the back. You might lose some affection, some financial support, or the comfort of thinking everyone gets where you’re coming from. Sometimes your sermon will ruffle the feathers of folks who’ve been with you for years. That stings—especially when you’re the one visiting them in the hospital after their hip replacement. And yes, sometimes it’s downright risky.
Sometimes, the church or even the denomination won’t have your back when you speak the truth. When things get tough, it’s easy to start seeing the people you serve as the problem. You can stand firm on doctrine and still run out of patience with real, live people. I know, because I’ve struggled with this myself.
Pastors need prayer, rest, and a few trusted friends where they can be honest without pretending to have it all together. Other pastors and your associational missionary can help you think through tough situations and share the load. Call ‘em up!
But just because someone pushes back doesn’t mean we’ve been faithful. Sometimes, someone in the pew has caught our sloppy Bible work, our unfair words, or a tone that was more harsh than holy. Before we claim persecution, maybe we need to ask if we owe someone an apology. Taking correction is part of submitting to the very Word we preach.
Let’s prepare sermons that help people actually obey
How often should a pastor preach prophetically? Every single week—if by that we mean helping people hear and obey God’s Word in real life. That means paying attention to what’s actually going on in their world and letting the text set the tone. Here are six practices that can help.
1. Let the Scripture drive the sermon. Start by figuring out what the passage meant to its first hearers before jumping to our situation. Preaching through books of the Bible helps us cover more ground, but it doesn’t guarantee we’ll apply it fairly. Ask what the passage calls us to believe or do—and then ask where our own folks might push back.
2. Be clear about what’s certain and what’s not. Separate what the Bible says, the moral principle behind it, and your own take on today’s issues. If the facts are up for debate, say so and explain how you got there. Suggest a course of action, but admit your plan might need tweaking. God’s authority isn’t a cover for our best guesses.
3. Look around at who’s actually in the room. If you’re preaching about injustice, think about wages, business practices, or favoritism right there in your own congregation. If you’re talking about sexual ethics, don’t skip over faithfulness in our own marriages. James called out partiality in the church itself. Our applications should land where we can actually do something about them.
4. Check your facts and let others weigh in on your application. Read the original sources. Talk to people who know what they’re talking about. Ask a wise church member to spot any straw men. Make sure you describe the issue fairly before you try to solve it. That extra effort might just keep your sermon from becoming a cautionary tale.
5. Give people something they can actually do. Maybe it’s correcting a false post online, making peace with a neighbor, volunteering with a trusted ministry, or taking a fresh look at how we treat vulnerable folks in our church. Spell out how to get involved and who’s in charge. Not everyone has to do the same thing—obedience comes in all shapes and sizes.
6. Keep Jesus and the church’s mission front and center. Preach honestly about sin, explain the cross and resurrection, and call people to repentance and faith. Show believers how grace changes the way we live. The Great Commission is about making disciples who actually obey what Jesus taught. Our churches should be able to explain both the gospel we preach and the responsibilities that come with it.
When Paul said he’d declared “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, ESV), we should think twice about cherry-picking our sermons. We can’t shrink the Bible down to just private comfort—or just public controversy. God’s Word speaks to every part of life for those who belong to Christ.
Let’s make sure our neighbor has a name
Let’s go back to those two pastors in our Georgia city. The second pastor isn’t promised a happy ending. The city might pick a lousy plan. The ministry partnership could hit a wall. Some church members will say he’s gone too far; others will say he hasn’t done nearly enough.
But imagine this: a church member comes in with a strong opinion and leaves with a real responsibility. On Thursday, he teams up with a trained volunteer and meets a man from the encampment. He learns a little about his story—and just how much patience real help takes. He starts praying for him by name.
That meeting won’t solve the city’s policy debate. But it might change the way this Christian joins the conversation. Now he’s got a name and a face to remember when talk turns ugly, a reason to ask better questions, and a chance to talk about the Savior he follows.
If you are having some struggle in where to begin, Mission Georgia, with Georgia Baptist Mission Board has a very effective strategy for getting hands and feet to the gospel. check out what they have done with the "Love Your Neighbor" strategy. Contact them and see about setting something up for your church.
As I wrap up The State of the Local Church, I keep thinking about the people Jesus has put in our care—and the neighbors he’s planted right next door. They need churches where the Bible is trusted, grace is real, and obedience shows up in everyday life. There’s work to do in our churches, our homes, and our neighborhoods.
Pastor, open your Bible boldly. Help your people understand it. Stay close enough to them to know where it needs to touch their lives—and let it change you, too.
And then, help them learn their neighbor’s name.
Endnotes
1. Southern Baptist Convention. Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Arts. I, XI, XV, and XVII, https://bfm.sbc.net/bfm2000/.
2. Stetzer, Ed. Christians in the Age of Outrage: How to Bring Our Best When the World Is at Its Worst. Tyndale House Publishers, 2018. See also Stetzer, “Ed Stetzer: Polarization in the Church and the Gospel.” Outreach, https://outreachmagazine.com/features/82553-polarization-in-the-church-ed-stetzer.html.
3. Stetzer, Ed. “Ed Stetzer: Good News in This Age of Rage.” Outreach, https://outreachmagazine.com/features/evangelism/34490-good-news-in-this-age-of-rage.html.
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