Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avizandum. There has always been a temptation for preachers to shortcut their sermon preparation and to use other people's material.
Copying someone's message and pretending it is your own is plagiarism. a form of deceit. It would not surprise me to know that plagiarism is fairly widespread. This is dishonest and, to use an old-fashioned word, She doing. But Plagiarism in the pulpit.
What do you think about that? And now artificial intelligence is being used by some pastors to prepare their sermons. I read a recent article that most churches across the United States are embracing the use of artificial intelligence in their ministries. But the report did say that most pastors have stopped short of using the AI technology to prepare their sermons.
Now, what would drive a pastor to plagiarism, or to use artificial intelligence for sermon preparation? What does that say about the individual's character and commitment to do all to the glory of God? As a preacher of the Word of God, I know the pressure. of preaching every week, I often preach on Sunday mornings and evenings as well as having to prepare a message for a funeral or a wedding, a Sunday school class, or other occasion. and these are huge privileges, but also weighty responsibilities.
Uh Pastors who are lazy, disorganized, and lacking character will be tempted to turn to someone else's message or to use artificial intelligence to prepare their message. But preparing to preach the Word of God is an essentially spiritual responsibility. rather than a mechanical one. If one is smart and reasonably conversant with the Word of God, it's not too difficult to put a message together.
Some preachers, some Bible study leaders, Just copy what they read in commentaries and regurgitate it. But to the spiritual hearer, such a message, such a lesson, sounds hollow. insincere, a performance, sterile, inauthentic. Our mission at Calvary Church is to be and make authentic followers of Jesus Christ. How can we be authentic if preachers and teachers are using other people's materials or producing a message through artificial intelligence?
If a preacher truly loves the Word of God and is committed to proclaiming the Word of God to his congregation whom he knows and loves, the temptation to plagiarize, or to use artificial intelligence will be rejected. For me, one of the great joys in life is the personal study. of the Holy Scriptures. I don't read and study Scripture primarily to preach, but to have a deeper knowledge of the Triune God and to grow in my own faith. I asked the Holy Spirit to be my teacher.
Also, as I prepare a message, I'm thinking of the people at Calvary Church. It's not a matter simply of preparing a message to be delivered somewhere. but rather to present the unsearchable riches of Christ, to give spiritual food for the souls of the boys and girls, men and women, who are going to hear the message, In Second Timothy 4, Paul reminds Timothy. that he has to preach the word. The charge which Paul gives Timothy is, In the presence of God, and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing at his kingdom.
This is a solemn responsibility. For spirit-filled preaching, it is essential that before I preach the message to others, the message is first preached. to my own heart. The message may not be as smooth as those who preach the same message many times, but the living word of God must first be preached to the preacher's heart. and then to others.
I don't look on myself so much as a communicator, but rather as a preacher, a trumpeter of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Second Corinthians four, Paul writes, For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants, for Jesus' sake. The preacher is a servant of the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul writes, For we are not like so many. Peddlers of God's Word.
but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God do we speak in Christ. Those plagiarizing or using artificial intelligence to prepare their message are not people of sincerity. but are inauthentic. How can they be commissioned by God? Are they not in danger of becoming peddlers of God's word?
They will be held accountable By God. Those called by God to preach the word. Will seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, praying throughout their preparation and delivery. although they may sometimes be stumbling and fearful. God will be glorified as they seek to uplift Christ to the unbelieving and to proclaim Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that they may present everyone Mature In Christ.
That's Colossians 1 verse 28. And in the next verse Paul writes about toiling and struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. This is what authentic preachers of the Gospel strive towards. No. Technology can be a tremendous blessing.
but it can also be terribly abused. Nothing Can replace the Word of God prepared and delivered in the Spirit of God. and presented for the glory of God. Avizando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe.
John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
