2 Timothy 2:15 says “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
To correctly handle the word of truth literally means to “cut in a straight line.” This word is used of road making. If a road maker cuts a straight road the path will be easy to follow. So Paul is saying, in essence, that we ought to teach God’s Word in such a simple and straight forward manner that our sermons are as easy to follow as a straight road.
In our attempt to appear sophisticated we sometimes complicate the simple truths of Scripture. But as Leonardo DaVinci put it “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” “As to what the hypercritical few may think, I don’t care” Abraham Lincoln once said in regards to some people who were complaining about his simple means of story telling to communicate to the masses vs using fancier methods. “You don’t fully understand something until you can explain it in a simple way” taught Albert Einstein.
Simple preaching isn’t shallow or superficial – just clear. To simplify complexity means you’re smart and fully grasp the subject. So this Sunday, and every Sunday, work hard to make it simple.