Her Sermon Helps
"Do you think we should use the King James version when we preach? Or does it really matter if we use something like the NIV?" Find out inside...
Preachers determine the meaning of scripture so that they can convey that meaning to the congregation in the preaching moment. Preachers go to considerable lengths to make sure that they preach the truth and not error. They study the passage within the context of the chapter, book, and even the whole cannon of scripture. In many cases, the preacher derives valid and truthful points from the text and then present those vital truths to the people. This is good, but often when you take the points from the story, you remove the ability of the people to fully experience the truth that you are presenting. But before the people can experience the text, we have to both understand and experience the text ourselves. Read more inside...
I have referred to the power that lies in the parables. They are like dynamite that can blow up at any time. We do well to tread lightly around these powerful stories that attack our complacency. Sometimes when I say things like that, preachers chalk this up to simple hyperbole. They see the parables simply as a story that illustrates various aspects of truth, like many other stories. Find out more inside...
You know, many times we church folks act as though we have done our duty when we sit in a congregation and listen to a preacher preach or a choir sing. We may participate. We may sing heartily. We may even get a chance to preach to the people of God. But then we go home. And what happens at home? A plethora of television, sports, games, fun, and just life. And we should live our life, but has church made a difference in our lives? Does it affect our lives in any meaningful way? And more specifically, does it make a difference in how we relate to the hurting one? Read more inside...
People expect preachers to read, understand, and preach from the text of scripture. In some of our ecclesial and ethnic traditions we are expected to powerfully "tell the story" as we have heard and understood it in the text. This is a call to preach both the unfamiliar as well as the familiar stories. You know the stories that we have heard on many occasions. Find out inside...
You have been called to preach, but it seems that your opportunities to preach are slim to none. You see your other associate colleagues who have more invitations than they can even fill and yet you have only preached twice in the last year. You are beginning to wonder if the call is real. You also might be allowing envy to cause you to talk about other preachers who are getting invitations. Read more inside...
Perhaps the most effective thing a preacher can do to strengthen the connection between the congregation and the scripture is to interpret the Bible with your senses. Here you use all of your senses when you seek to understand the scripture. Yes I mean touch, sight, taste, smell, and hear. Read more inside...
OK, let's get into some sermon philosophy. The question for today, "Can you write a sermon down?" You may think so, but I am not talking about whether to use a manuscript in preaching. No, this question gets at a fundamental idea that I hope can help your preaching. That idea is that preachers do not write down a sermon. They write down ideas and thoughts to help them in the sermon moment. Some preachers write down everything they will say, but that is still not a sermon until you are in the preached moment when the sermon is delivered. Read more inside...
Pastors often will preach to issues that are not really problems in their congregation if they don't follow some plan. For example, in some denominational traditions legalism is seen as a problem. So using a one size fits all mentality, the preacher simply assumes that her or his church has this problem and preaches against legalism. However, even in the most legalistic denominations, one can still find churches where that is not a problem. So how do you go about putting together a plan? There are basically three steps. Find them out inside...
Your sermons need to have one main point. There may be sub-points, and there may be supporting points, but there is [or should] only one main point. If your sermon has more than one major point, the people will tire of your message and not be able to remember what the sermon was about. They will subconsciously attempt to determine the main point. When they realize that your sub-points are overpowering your main point, they will either give up, or grab hold of one of your sub-points and assume that is the point of your message. So, how can you help people remember your sermon? Find out inside...