The speaker gets up there, tells a few stories, makes a few points and references a couple of bible verses and how they fit into the main point, then close with a word of prayer. Was that a sermon you just sat through or a sharing? Anyone can share about what they're learning or going through. Can (and should) anyone give a sermon? Is there a difference?
Anyone who's ever been to a self-help talk or a motivational seminar can tell you that there is encouragement and growth that can come from such talks. Heck even a christian one can be useful and edifying. But can true transformational change come outside of / apart from God's word?
On the other hand, we should be quick not to cheapen the whole thing, as sharings can also be quite encouraging and God can / will use them to speak to you. But really, if you came for a sermon and didn't get one, do you leave disappointed? The better question is did I come to hear a sermon or did I come to hear God speak to me?
Maybe this all goes back to the church's interpretation of the authority of Scripture.
is it Your Word that I'm in love with, or the sound of Your voice?
there is much to think about. great thoughts.
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