Sermon Summary: Next, Part 9: Multimedia

In 2020, every church in the United States (and many around the world) needed to pivot toward multimedia ministry. No longer gathering in person, churches began live streaming their services. This was a challenge for most, including myself.

Along with my eldest son, I remember spending hours learning how to record, edit, and post videos to a live stream. It was more time-intensive than anyone could understand, but the investment paid off. Not only did the live stream reach out church’s members and friends; it often went beyond that group to many others - including some of my family and friends. People who normally wouldn’t darken the door of a church were suddenly joining us for worship- albeit online - every Sunday!

Now consider this: every day, people around the world watch over a billion hours of YouTube (Global Media Insight, 2024). Yet some estimate only 1% is explicitly Christian, though 2.4 billion identify with the faith worldwide. That's quite a gap.

Psalm 96:3 calls us to ‘declare His glory among the nations.’ Multimedia is a tool for that mission—are we using it? The digital landscape is a mission field. Are we reaching it? Today, we’ll explore why, how, and what Scripture says, from a biblical perspective by considering five points. Let’s pray and begin.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to hear and heed what you say to us this morning by Your Spirit. We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Point 1: God Ministers through Multimedia

First, multimedia reflects God’s creative communication and approach. Genesis 1:3: ‘And God said, “Let there be light,”’—His voice launches Creation. Exodus 31:18: He gives Moses tablets ‘written with the finger of God’—truth you can touch. Ezekiel 1’s visions—wheels within wheels, blazing glory—paint vivid pictures. In Matthew 13:34-35, Jesus teaches in parables; in Matthew 26:26-28, He uses bread and wine to proclaim redemption. Sound, sight, touch, and taste - God engages every sense to reveal Himself.

As Christian believers, rooted in God’s Word, we affirm the primacy of preaching—the spoken and written Word pierces hearts (Hebrews 4:12) and anchors worship. Multimedia ministry doesn’t replace or supplant it; it extends it. Think of Martin Luther: he preached boldly, but when the printing press emerged, he seized it—producing 90 pamphlets in three years to spread the gospel beyond the pulpit. Today, videos, podcasts, and apps are our printing press, building a robust teaching ministry. Many studies show the interest of our ascendant generation, so-called Gen Z, in these forms of connection (Barna Group, 2023). We can meet them there, keeping preaching central and multimedia as its faithful partner, all for God’s glory."

Point 2: Engaging Culture Helps Fulfill the Great Commission

Second, engaging culture—not conforming to it—fulfills our mission. Acts 17:22-23: Paul stands at Mars Hill, sees an altar ‘to an unknown god,’ and declares, ‘Let me tell you who He is.’ He bridges cultures without bending. Exodus 25-27’s Tabernacle—gold, colors, images, and incense—reveals heaven’s transcendent glories, but in mixed media accessible to humans. Matthew 28:19: ‘Go make disciples of all nations.’ That includes our digital age.

Doing so, we’re not capitulating or chasing every trend mindlessly and reactively. We engage with a biblical perspective and a clear sense of purpose. That’s where people are; that’s where we need to go - a mission field. We can’t ignore this; we need to engage it - prayerfully, thoughtfully, and biblically. Doing so is not surrender—it’s stewardship, gospel-driven ministry..

Point 3: Multimedia Can Enhance Teaching and Edification

Third, multimedia ministry edifies the church—supporting, not supplanting, the centrality of Christ’s Word. Exodus 12:26-27: Passover blends story and meal, embedding truth for generations. 1 Timothy 4:13: Paul urges Timothy, ‘Devote yourself to reading Scripture, exhortation, teaching.’ Variety strengthens teaching. Yes, the Word is sufficient—Isaiah 55:11 says it accomplishes God’s purpose—but multimedia ministry serves the Word; it doesn’t supplant it. A podcast unpacking predestination for your commute, a video tracing David’s flight from Saul like a living Bible map—these bless and build. Pair preaching with visuals, and we equip saints (Ephesians 4:12). In all these ways, the Word remains supreme. Multimedia merely supports and diversifies the ministry, enhancing without overshadowing.

Point 4: Technology Extends the Church’s Witness

Fourth, technology extends our witness across a fallen world.

A year or so ago, I started studying technology as a quiet, nerdy hobby - pursuing some low-level IT certifications for ministry benefit. I recently started making some modest videos to share some of the things I’ve learned. Interestingly, one of the tools I use offered to translate my 60-second or less videos into any of 100 different languages! Technology also breaks barriers. We’re approaching a day when translating sermons into Swahili or Mandarin can happen instantly—work once taking a long time now takes moments.

The gospel’s reach is exponential. Step back, and we miss this harvest. Step in—livestream, share, translate—and we proclaim Christ where feet can’t go, grounded in truth."

Point 5: Discernment Shapes Multimedia Ministry

Fifth, discernment keeps us faithful. Proverbs 4:23: ‘Keep your heart with all vigilance.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: ‘Test everything; hold fast what is good.’ Multimedia’s a tool, not our guide. A 2022 study notes 58% of Christian leaders worry it might dilute doctrine. That’s a valid concern—truth must not bend. Romans 12:2 tells us plainly: ‘Don’t conform, be transformed.’

Reject it, and we retreat from the world. Overuse it, and we risk losing focus. But test it, root it in sola Scriptura, and it serves the mission. Discernment ensures multimedia kneels to Christ, keeping the gospel the main thing.

Some Encouragements for Individuals

What do we take from this? God communicates creatively, from parables to Passover. He calls us to engage culture, edify His people, extend witness, and discern wisely—all to ‘declare His glory among the nations’ (Psalm 96:3). In a world where 88% of U.S. adults go online daily, with 41% reporting they are online "almost constantly" (Pew Research Center, 2024), multimedia is a ministry we cannot neglect as wise stewards of this time. Ignore it, and we risk irrelevance. Use it faithfully, and we amplify and glorify Christ in a digital age.

Personally, here are some things to consider:

First, maybe enjoy or share a Bible app devotional online this week—it’s quick and simple. 

Second, maybe sign up for and listen to a podcast—solid teaching for your drive.

Third, maybe check out resources like the Bible Project on YouTube with your kids. It’s an easy and worthwhile way to do family devotions. 

Some Encouragements for Our Church

For us as a church, let’s take these steps: 

First, be open to new strategies. Livestreams or videos might feel unfamiliar, but the message—Christ crucified—never changes (1 Corinthians 2:2). Methods shift; the gospel stands firm. 

Second, let’s recruit and train volunteers—camera folks, editors, social media hands—to serve together, like the early church shared gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). 

Finally, let’s keep pace - studying and keeping pace with new tools and technologies, not falling behind or ceding ground.

Conclusion

These steps aren’t trendy gimmicks; they’re tools to proclaim  he unchanging truth in a changing world. Test every effort with Scripture, and we’ll shine for Him.

Let’s pray.

References

Barna Group. (2023). How to help Gen Z connect spiritually online and at church. Barna Group. https://www.barna.com/trends/how-to-help-gen-z-connect-spiritually-online-and-at-church/

Global Media Insight (2024) reports that nearly 5 billion videos are watched on YouTube daily, equating to approximately 3.47 million videos per minute.

Pew Research Center. (2024, January 31). Americans’ use of mobile technology and home broadband. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-use-of-mobile-technology-and-home-broadband/