One of Jesus’ strategies of preaching that I’ve really tried to learn and master is the ability to connect the kingdom of God to present surroundings and experiences. Jesus was a master at helping listeners understand by turning their attention to things like fields, birds, lost coins and sheep. Tangible metaphors helped explain the kingdom in a way that people of that culture could understand and grow from.
For that reason, most of my sermon illustrations come from my personal experiences and not a book. Jesus didn’t get his illustrations from hanging out at the temple every day. He walked around cities and villages and took notice of people and surroundings. I believe if preachers are looking for fresh illustrations, the best ones are waiting for you …
• … outside of your office. Be a pastor who is in your community.
• … when you spend time with your spouse and/or family. My wife and children have taught me a ton of lessons. But remember, only use family illustrations with their permission.
• … during times of leisure and fun. It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself if you stop taking life so seriously and enjoy yourself.
• … on vacations. Usually, vacations help lower my guard a bit. And it’s in that place of vulnerability where God speaks to me.
If you take a moment to listen, you’ll be surprised at how and where God will speak to you. And for me, one of those moments happened recently in California’s wine country: Napa Valley.
I’ll admit—I was nervous about being in a winery. I remember telling my wife and kids: “No one post anything on social media,” out of fear of what people would assume. In my denomination, there has been so much recent debate about alcohol, and the last thing I wanted was a fantastic experience—and one of the best vacations of my life—to turn into a social media controversy. I wasn’t there to drink. I was spending time with some amazing friends and experiencing a tour of a historic winery.
The guide walked us through a variety of locations. He would stop and tell us about the winemaking process, while also interjecting some history. The more he talked, the more notes I typed into my phone. I remember turning to my wife at one point and saying, “Every pastor should take this tour.”
I learned that the vineyard owner would find the most difficult soil and plant there. Easy, fertile soil produced fast growth but sour fruit. Vineyard owners discovered that the harder the plant worked, the sweeter the resulting fruit. (Insert church planting or discipleship illustration here.)
In addition to the vast amount of new knowledge I acquired from the vine, I really grasped some kingdom lessons that came from the history the man behind the vineyard. He has been referred to as the face of the Napa Valley: Robert Mondavi.
Here are some simple pastoral lessons about kingdom growth that were inspired by Robert Mondavi.
1. I am not here to build my empire. I’m called to build the kingdom.
Prohibition was devastating to Napa Valley. Not only was the region economically shut down, but people came to the Valley and started burning the vineyards. Many families’ livelihoods—not to mention their homes—were in those fields. People lost everything. Robert Mondavi was one of the few whose fields survived. When Prohibition was lifted, he welcomed those who lost everything to come to work for him. He didn’t see others as rivals. He saw broken people.
For far too long, we have treated the other churches in our community and city as rivals. The competitive spirit among pastors deeply saddens me. Why? Because I used to be there. I saw other churches as nothing more than the ministries I needed to “beat.”
I get it. I’ve been at the place where coveting, envy and frustration crowded out my passion and vision. I totally get being so frustrated with your lack of results that you start pointing fingers at other pastors and churches instead of checking your own heart and seeing the Enemy as your opponent.
Mondavi reminds me of the pastor who took me in and showed me that the kingdom always trumps empire. He showed me that success wasn’t about the size of my ministry but the expansion of the kingdom of God. Pastors are co-laborers and not rivals. We, together, serve Jesus. Which leads me to …
2. I am to freely pour out what has been poured into me.
What Robert Mondavi had, he offered to others. This man gave displaced families and workers an opportunity to learn from and engage in what he was doing. Nothing was hidden. He shared his methods and talents. And when they were in a place to move out on their own, he helped them to start their own vineyards.
This is a mentality I didn’t always understand. I think I was more worried about making a name for myself, my church and my denomination than I was about lifting up the name of Jesus. I think we’re sometimes so worried about branding OUR church that we’ve forgotten WHO the church really belongs to. Don’t get me wrong; I’m fine with branding, marketing and doing things with excellence—as long as it exalts the name of Jesus.