When a Preacher Says “Finally”

Five-Minute Friday: FINALLY

Have you ever heard a preacher (or any speaker say), “finally” and then fail to be final? Michael Duduit points out four common mistakes preachers make in his article “5 Keys to Powerful Conclusions.” All four mistakes can create a problem, but the one I find most trying is “Don’t announce that you’re concluding, especially if you don’t mean it.” I think it was Warren Wiersbe who said some preachers keep circling the runway but fail to land. They make their listeners endure multiple touchdowns, and then a return to the skies.

The other common mistakes include, “Don’t just summarize the message. Ask people to act. Don’t blame the clock and rush to a conclusion. Don’t introduce new ideas or extra points in your conclusion.”

What Causes This?

I think one of the reasons is a lack of preparation. Preparation starts with a main idea that is based on the text. If that is lacking, then there can be too many detours and then confusion at the end. If you think about it, saying “finally” and then not being final is breaking a promise or misleading. We are all guilty of using words carelessly.

A Good Example

I think the Apostle Paul sets a good example in his epistle to the church at Philippi. He says this as he winds down his letter:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

He doesn’t end his letter immediately, but there is a good reason for that. He wanted to thank them for the care he had received from them. He says (4:14-16), “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.”

Parental Folly

Don’t be too quick to find fault with the preacher. One other area of life where we say “finally” is as parents. Far too often we suggest there will be repercussions if a child doesn’t listen or obey. This is your final warning! Then, far too frequently, our words are not final. We really don’t mean what we said.

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

When we were thoughtful and careful, we realize every word we speak is known by God. Therefore, even saying the word “finally” is significant. “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:35-37

John reminds us that this is a part of loving others: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.