- How does the text relate to Jesus?
- How do I preach the gospel through this text?
They're not the same. Gary was saying that the first is somewhat academic, while the second is far more related to how a listener is going to treat their kids when they get home from church.
Have I pointed people to what God has done in Christ as the solution to all our problems.
Have I pushed people to throw themselves upon God for mercy, or just told them to try harder.
You haven't preached the gospel if the essence of the message is 'be like', then you haven't preached the gospel.
Have we pushed people to the grace that does all the work of bringing about godliness?
Recover the rhetorical impact of the text
We must help the audience feel what the text is doing, not just conveying the intellectual content.
We must give the people a reason to listen. Don't assume that they'll listen just because they've shown up at church. The first 90 seconds is the most important part. We must justify to the person walking in off the street why they ought to listen.
We must connect with people. Speak to the people who are actually in front of you, must know who they are.