What’s The Point?
As I was writing my message this week I got to thinking about a question I hadn’t asked myself in a while. The question was, “What exactly is the point of a message (sermon)?” I’m not talking about the point to a specific message, but to messages in general.
The most basic explanation I’ve had in my head for years is “the purpose of a sermon is to explain and apply the Scripture with the end goal being understanding and eventually spiritual transformation.” I kind of based my definition off of some assumptions made from 2 Timothy 3:16 applies: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NIV).
I finished up Jesus Wants to Save Christians 
“The sermon is about starting the discussion. The sermon is about having the first word. The sermon is a catalyst that inspires people into whole new ways of seeing their lives.”
So I thought this would be a great discussion today. I really want to know what you guys think. In your opinion what is purpose of “the sermon?” If you give them weekly what is your ultimate goal? If you listen to them regularly, what do you expect to get out of them?
57 Comments:
I do agree with the scripture you gave. I think the sermon has to be different things to different people.
To one person it has to be a new message. To another it has to be confirmation of what they studied themselves throughout the week. To another it is just a reminder and encouragement of how to live the Christian life.
I think it should challenge us to become more like Jesus is. More loving, merciful, caring. It should move us to action for God’s glory.
This is a question that is pretty deep. It is a good question and I look forward to reading other people’s views on it.
David Knapp´s last blog ..What Jesus Said
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Pete Wilson Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:10 am
Different things to different people. I do agree with that David. Whenever I’m writing a message I tend to think about several different groups of people.
1) Those who have been Christ followers for years and are actively seeking Him.
2) Those who have been Christ followers for years but are not actively seeking Him.
3) Those who don’t have a clue who Christ is.
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paula Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
That’s why pastors are such a unique blessing… I don’t know how you all manage to give one message each week with so many unique people listening… with a heart to touch each of them somehow / someway…
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David Knapp
6:12 am
This may go without saying to many people, but I simply long to hear the gospel preached in each sermon that I hear. At my old church this seemed too confrontational — or maybe even “boring” for my pastor. It was as if he felt he needed to try so hard to impress the congregation. Focusing more on the words he used to fill in his anagram than on the central meaning of the Church. Focusing more on how to get people in without shutting the back door and ministering to them. This has resulted in many people leaving the church, longing for the Gospel. It has also resulted in those who are there focusing on themselves and how they feel.
So simply put, what I want– no need out of a sermon is to hear the Gospel.
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Julie R. Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:13 am
Sarah, I am a little confused by what it is you mean by needing to hear the gospel. Could you explain a little more please. My interpretation of “hearing the gospel” is to “hear the message of salvation”.
Julie R.´s last blog ..My God Box
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Sarah McGalliard Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:05 pm
hey~
What I am talking about is hearing in eAch sermon that the story of Christs life death to pay for our sins, and ressurection is woven through every bit of scripture and that is the reason that we have life. There is no greater purpose than to praise God for this Gospel.
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Sarah McGalliard
6:22 am
I love a sermon that makes me think…challenges me…makes me question things like how I am living and loving.
But I don’t know if that is what a sermon should be. I hate that we put all the work on the pastor to inspire us. Isn’t it all about coming together to worship…
Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..The More Godly Lindsey
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Lindsey Nobles
6:28 am
I expect them to be good.
Man what a great question…From a delivery standpoint I’ve always felt that a sermon should spur someone to action or change. From a listening standpoint I’ve always felt that a sermon should challenge or equip.
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Kenyon
6:35 am
should be: an experience that draws me closer to the throne of God
should not be: the focal point of the week for a Christian
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Pete Wilson Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:11 am
Good point John!!
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John Ireland
6:53 am
I hope that my messages:
1 – convey the enormous hope found in the love and grace of God
2 – cause people to willingly examine their lives and be willing to be transformed by the Holy Spirit
3 – cause people to crave and pursue an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus Christ
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Michael Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:25 am
Right there with you Herb on this…
Michael´s last blog ..Hitting Off The Tee
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herb
6:54 am
I am a consumer of sermons, not typically a deliverer. For me, the purpose is to renew my mind. If I fill myself with the things of God, it is the first step to transformation…
Cameron´s last blog ..God Given Time Margin
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Cameron
7:00 am
I hope that sermons do a number of things. Lead me to further love, hope, relationship, awe of our King. Challenge me (hopefully to go read/research the passages or topics that were discussed). Teach me. Be, as Bell said, a “catalyst” for discussion among my family and friends. Some days it may be convicting. A lot of it depends on where I’m at in life. There are times when I hope that it is more challenging/discussion-leading that convicting and vice versa. But I agree with Lindsey that there is far too much pressure on Pastors to inspire or deliver something great. I think if you just preach about what’s on your heart, with the only expectation being that God will show up in His word, people will get out of it what they need to get out of it.
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kevin
7:01 am
I really love it when a scripture that I’ve read for years is put in a new perspective by a sermon.. maybe by learning about a historical setting or social dynamic of the time.
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britt
7:02 am
What do I expect to get from a sermon? I’m thinking that I need to be there with the right attitude. Um. Not always as easy as it sounds. I’m listening for God’s voice – for Him to sorta “ping” my heart. To start me thinking, transforming, hopefully doing. Because honestly, it’s what you do with what you hear.
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Cindy
7:27 am
I’m a total contradiction when it comes to what I expect out of a sermon. I want to hear someone who speaks to or interprets scripture with some level of authority. The views of someone I know is more qualified, more spiritually mature, and has spent more time pondering, studying and praying about the subject than I. If I wanted just someone’s first impression or opinion, I could have a discussion with any number of my friends.
Now, this is not to say that I accept every word a pastor says as the absolute truth. In fact, often I’ll violently disagree with things certain pastors say. My stubborn, bull-headed nature will automatically rebel against ideas and teachings that are in direct conflict with what I’ve chosen to believe or how I’m living. It’s like an instinct. But, I need this because it challenges me to self-examination. I’d rather be confronted with something I don’t want to hear that makes me think than listen to something that just washes over me and at the end of the day you can just take it or leave it.
(All that being said, every once in a while I still need to hear someone say something that is comforting, encouraging, or uplifting to my soul.)
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Aaron
7:33 am
I am an expository type preacher. In my seminary class on “Contemporary Preaching” my professor made this comment, which has “stuck” with me. “The purpose of your preaching is not to show how much you know, or how eloquent or educated you really are. It is not to show folks how dynamic you can preach, or how much research you have done. Quite frankly, the only reason you should be in the pulpit is to help people hear the Word of Goid”
Our opinions, and our illustrations help, but the bottom line is, it is the Word of
God that changes and transforms lives.
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Edgar Cabello Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
…from a person (preacher) who is actively and consistently being transformed…
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Ron Robertson
7:42 am
I hope to hear a message that 1) helps us connect the dots between the centuries-old-but-still-very-much-relevant Scripture and our lives today; 2) challenges our complacency; and 3) starts a quest to know more. A message should be the starting point for our time in God’s Word, and not the only time we hear about God in a week’s time.
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aspires2b
7:44 am
I agree with John Ireland point! Too many times people will come to me before the service say, “Preacher, I am looking for a blessing and to be filled today with God’s word.” I have heard this time and time again. However, what they are really saying is that Sunday is there “spiritual” focal point of the week. Which in fact it shouldn’t be their focus for the week. They should be focusing on their relationship with Christ daily. You really can’t have a thriving relationship with Christ if you are only meeting with Him on a weekly basis. That is not how you build a relationship with anyone. It takes spending time with someone to build something of worth. The message to help in transforming people and getting them connected to Christ and His word! I challenge the people not to just take what I say, but to go check it out for their selves, which can lead a person to grow closer to Christ!
Thanks Pete, you have really challenged me with my messages. Keep on sharing your insights and thought provoking questions!
Jacob´s last blog ..The Church’s Birthday Gift: The Holy Spirit
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Jacob
7:57 am
I believe that I do not represent the majority of your readers in that I no longer attend a weekly church service because I arrived at this same question: “What’s the point?” and got different answers than those presented here by other commenters.
The point for some pastors I have known is to deliver a dynamic, culturally relevant sermon to attract new members who will then become regular tithers in order to meet financial requirements so that programs (and staff salaries) of the organized church can continue to be met.
The point for other pastors is to deliver a message which will draw people closer to God in their personal walk with Him.
The point for other pastors is to present information which (hopefully) will become an agreed upon foundation to promote group unity.
Sometimes these overlap… many times they don’t.
Sermons have been helpful to me in many ways during my journey with Jesus. Some have presented basic theology. Some have offered historical or etymological insights. Some have been stories that have helped me to “hang in there” with a difficult situation. Most have been a catalyst for me to read (and reread) Scripture with newfound zeal.
But, what I have come to realize, is that “sermons” are often just someone’s opinion… like an author’s book, a poet’s poem, an artist’s piece, a chef’s entree, a teacher’s take on the topic of the lesson. “Sermons” are an opinion about God. And I can find opinions about God almost anywhere online or in bookstores or through conversation with the people in my community. Sometimes I hear them on the radio. Sometimes they are on TV. Sometimes they are even in the comics section of the newspaper.
When an issue becomes overwhelmingly pertinent related to my own journey with God, I am often better served ferreting out available resources targeted to that topic rather than waiting for a helpful sermon to come my way. And when I am unable to find the spirtitual sustenance I need, it stretches my faith and always yields newfound amazement at the ways God finds to deliver just what he needs me to know when I need it the most.
I’m not representative of your readership, but I thought I would share my own “sermon on sermons” since you asked. (Sorry there are no catchy acronyms and alliterative devices…)
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cshell Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 8:22 am
Great post. I’d say i’m very close to this…don’t want to be honestly, but close.
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Pete Wilson Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:17 am
Thanks for the sermon girl.
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ttm
8:00 am
I believe the sermon serves to show us how God’s word is still relevent in our lives today, right where we are. It isn’t just a book written almost 2000 years ago, but an extension of God.
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Tom
8:17 am
A launching pad for people to engage with God in thought and action.
If it’s too much then there’s no reason to think or act. The preacher gave you everything you need and there’s no need to go to God.
If it’s too little then what do I think about and how do I act?
It it’s just right then there are a lot of leads, some connecting points, some big questions to answer, some scripture to investigate further and only one who person who can make sense of it all….God. You are driven to Him and that’s what a successful message should do.
kc´s last blog ..Saint and Sinner
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Pete Wilson Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:17 am
Good stuff KC.
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kc
8:19 am
I believe sermons should focus on only a handful of “central” truths that we all need to understand (and apply) better. The list isn’t long, but the topics are infinitely complex for the redeemed. IMHO, some of these topics are:
- Love (God, yourself and others)
- Living with margin
- Identity in Christ (from God’s perspective)
- Understanding and living with Grace
- Great Commission and discipleship
I think if we could stimulate one another to “get” topics like these, we’d see tremendous change in the church and the Church would be much more influential.
Steve Manatt´s last blog ..Throwing Dice in the Dark
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Steve Manatt
8:59 am
I have to say that I view a message and a sermon differently. When I hear a message it has a teaching quality to it. I feel like it is designed to give me new insight or confirm what I have previously studied. When I hear a sermon however, I feel like its a “lecture” from God through the pastor. A sermon carries with it a degree of ‘this is where you screwed up’. I doubt most pastors realize that they’ve even given a sermon until someone says “you really stepped on my toes this morning.”
Julie R.´s last blog ..My God Box
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Julie R.
9:10 am
Wait. I thought sermons were supposed to have 4 points. Shouldn’t this post be titled “What’s the 4 points?”
And alliteration helps, too.
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mpt
9:25 am
I expect a sermon to challenge and/or encourage me in my walk with Christ. I hope to be taught and fed, but ultimately, it is something that will help make me hungrier, if that makes sense.
I like what you said – that it’s the beginning of the discussion and it’s not the final word. It should make me think and help me open my heart and life more and more to Jesus.
Jan Owen´s last blog ..Those Lazy Days of Summer
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Jan Owen
9:26 am
As a Pastor my aim in sharing is:
If someone is not a believer to present the truth and hope found in Christ so that they will respond to His call on them.
If someone is a believer to challenge them to want to dig deeper into their relationship with Christ. Also he them see maybe some spiritual blind spots they might have.
Just me being real – I constantly am trying keep in check that the sermon is not some sort of ego building thing for me but an exaltation of Christ.
Jim F.´s last blog ..Seasons of Ministry/Life
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Jim F.
9:49 am
I’m just a consumer of sermons and I find that I call it good when I have been convicted or Scriptures are presented in a new way I’ve never thought before.
Amy´s last blog ..Glee, Could You Use Me?
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Amy
10:01 am
I am looking for a sermon to root me in how to practice Christ-like love.
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Sarah A
10:08 am
I look for sermons to help me grow in my relationship with Christ. I am resolve that since first man I am inately evil and regardless of my Faith I must continuiously fight the pleasures of evil and I look for sermons to help me.
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Ernie Moss
10:19 am
I want a sermon that challenges me to think about my life. To convict me when I need to be convicted, but most of all, to give HOPE to a lost dying world.
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Tracy
10:29 am
For me, the sermon should be a weekly example of someone called by God to teach the word to others living out that call and showing the power of obedience to the Father.
Jason ´s last blog ..The great gas gauge of the forehead
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Jason
10:37 am
I heard someone say in a conference one time, “The pastor’s teaching is the primary experssion of his leadership.” and he then followed it up with a quote from J.I Packer: “The preachers’ commission is to declare the whole counsel of God; but the cross is the centre of that counsel, and the Puritans knew that the traveler through the Bible landscape misses his way as soon as he loses sight of the hill called Calvary.”
Ryan Tate´s last blog ..Is Emptiness Required?
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Ryan Tate
10:49 am
O, Pete. I’ve been struggling with this for years. When I started desiring to really operate in my own giftings, I looked around the church and thought: where do I fit in? Because every “gathering” was just to sit and listen to someone else and never discuss or engage. How frustrating! Part of understanding is debating and discussing, asking and clarifying, researching and meditating. To say that is what we are supposed to do when we go home is bunk. The very nature of “discuss” is communitive! For too long the pulpit has been hoarded and used as an end to itself. Thank you for THIS discussion. I hope you learn a lot about “starting” the conversation.
CFloyd´s last blog ..Fruitless is Pointless
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CFloyd
11:20 am
we actually have zero sermons in our ministry (at this point — and probably for a long time). every bible study is discussion-oriented, and we interpret the word as a community, with the goal obedience (and not knowledge).
- i don’t mean to sound as if i believe all sermons have knowledge as their end goal. but if that’s all the congregation uses them for, then it doesn’t make much difference how the pastor intended them.
- i also don’t mean to sound as if all congregations seek bible knowledge and not obedience. i don’t think this is the case, though i do believe it is an overwhelming trend.
JamesBrett´s last blog ..confessions of a future author
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JamesBrett
11:57 am
It has to be an exposition of Biblical truth, first and foremost. I like your basic definition. And I think that achieving spiritual transformation through a sermon is making sure that it’s a sermon that relates Biblical truth to everyday life and situations, to issues facing the congregation specifically. It needs to be challenging, not only intellectually but on a personal level too. I should feel pricked as I leave my pew as well as compelled to figure out what that unfamiliar Biblical reference meant. There is no transformation without challenge. I think it needs to not be the “milk and bread” Paul talked about but deep and challenging stuff that may well raise more questions than answers for new or less mature Christians. Churches need to provide other opportunities for new believers to work out those questions, but in my book, a good preacher makes his audience reach for the high fruit on Sunday mornings.
And it should most certainly be a conversation catalyst. The preacher with the first and last words on a topic hasn’t encouraged his audience to transform anything if they aren’t required to engage their own thoughts and opinions on the subject.
My church is fortunate to have a preacher who models this stuff so well. I could never have pinpointed my needs and dissatisafaction on the subject were it not for a pastor who is very explicit in his methods for serving up challenging and thought provoking messages each week.
Christine´s last blog ..Things I Learned (yesterday…) in Preschool
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Christine
11:58 am
My husband is in seminary and we have talked about this a lot. I like a sermon from the Bible, quoting and flipping in the bible to several stories or verses related to th main topic. I want to be challenged to grow and explore this topic more and study on it all week. I want to hear a sermon and wish it wasn’t over. I want something me and my husband can discuss and research. We want to engage in the sermon we heard Sunday, today!
I really don’t want to hear contemporary writers or thinkers and i really don’t want it related to sports, especially football.
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Pete Wilson Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Oh but I have some really good football illustrations.
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Shelby
12:05 pm
I expect to see what you have been shown. I want to experience the understanding that you have taken from a scripture. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I disagree but either way my expectations are met. Mostly I suppose I want you to explain what you see as you walk through life with the Word. It’s like someone describing a sunset I didn’t get to see but I can tell from their words that it was beautiful and something I would want to experience.
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Warren
12:15 pm
For me the point is to better equip myself for God’s work. I listen each week to learn how to reach people in different situations. I am amazed how what I learn will directly apply to the next weeks life encounters. Every time – without fail!! I am a student of God’s word, the sermon is my classroom and the bible my text book.
Nichole Proctor´s last blog ..Springtime
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Nichole Proctor
12:19 pm
I think the point of the sermon is to reach people no matter what kind;the loyal followers or the ones like me,who is only good at running from the Lord, when I came to your church the Sunday before last and you preached on the 1st part of the 3 part series(The Prodigal Son) I felt like you were talking to ME or God was talking through you to me.I think thats the point of sermons to reach those who need it. Be it someone who reads and hears it everyday or someone who knows it but scared their not accepted anymore like me.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Thanks Jeremy.
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Jeremy Mccurdy
12:24 pm
I believe the point of the sermon is to communicate the mystery of God (Father, Son and Spirit). I am really drawn to mystery and tension and unresolved conflict. I am moved most by messages that cause me to ask, “Lord what must I do now?”…study, serve, seek, be silent, and so on.
I try to create this tension when I preach by simply being honest about where I am and where I believe most people are in relation to what Jesus says. I appreciate when preachers have studied and in their studies leave with more questions than they came with to the study in the first place.
I also prefer personal stories rather than caned illustrations. Nothing makes a passage come to life like a real life…especially one in your community.
Good question bro
Richard Westley´s last blog ..It’s time to plant
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Richard Westley
12:33 pm
To inspire thinking – conviction & praise. The Sundays when I’m left with a question to ponder often bring the most inspiration = the most learning and draw me closer to God.
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paula
12:41 pm
I take a spiritual formation perspective. Preaching is always encouraging and challenging people toward more Christ-likeness. How does this text help us understand Christ…his life, his teaching, his meaning for our own lives and how is it calling us to be.
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Randy Frye
12:46 pm
To inspire transformaiton.
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Jeff
12:52 pm
I actually do know how to spell transformation.
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Pete Wilson Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:53 pm
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Jeff
12:52 pm
I can’t say I go into it with any expectations. Some weeks I walk away affirmed and feeling like I’m on the right track. Some weeks the message will stick with me and keep popping up, sometimes it’s just one phrase that eats at me until I relize that I need to look at something in my life differently.
I just try to stay open, listen and pray that if God is trying to tell me something from the words and perspective of another, that I’m open enough to hear it.
I find that walking into anything with an expectation of what I WANT to get out of it often closes me off to what HE wants me to get out of it.
gitz´s last blog ..Memory Lane
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gitz
1:13 pm
I think I see where Rob Bell is coming from. The traditional sermon is a one-way message: this is it, like it or lump it. What I see Bell as saying is that the sermon is an opinion: it can be tested against the collective experiences of the hearer, which makes it rather more than the original sum of its parts.
To that extent, saying the sermon “has to preach the gospel” is missing the point. Is the preacher there to hand down tablets of stone, or to get people thinking?
I don’t preach weekly – never have: I’m a Reader in the Church of England. But when I did preach fairly regularly in my former church, I tended towards the approach of trying to get people to think. I was fortunate in this, because I often worked in harness with my vicar, and he was very, very good at drawing the message into the leading of the liturgy (little comments that reflected the sermon would tie together elements like our communion prayer, intercessions etc).
My reasoning for what I did was that God gives us the faculties of reason and imagination for a reason. They are part of His (or Her!) mechanism for transforming us into what we should be. Muscles atrophy if you don’t use them: so do spiritual thought processes.
The trouble, of course, is that the church establishment distrusts collective experience – it prefers its own knowledge, which it regards as trustworthy. There are occasions when it is correct: there are other occasions when this causes the church a terrible loss. The question is whether those who lead have sufficient faith – faith in the people to respond to being treated like adults rather than children, and faith in God to poke the right people with the right set of words.
Sorry, long post, but the question deserves an answer.
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James McLaren
1:36 pm
I like to be spiritually challenged with a message/sermon. The other night I asked the most self righteous and condescending question to my wife. I asked her if there was a certain “intellect” required by the folks that attend our church. That is terrible! As the question came out of my mouth, I knew it was hidden with judgmentalism, but as I watched these http://www.godhatesfags.com/ folks from Westboro Baptist protest soldiers funerals, I couldn’t help but think how lost certain congregations must be. There I go being judgemental again. Its an endless cycle.
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Jody
2:12 pm
I have filled in when my minister has been away on occasion and have done several sermons. For me the one thing that frustrates me the most is when a pastor or minister uses such complicated words and expressions and fails to explain them! I always was taught that the scriptures should be explained in such a way that a child could understand. Also, there is nothjing more annoying than someone who never really gets their point accross… I have heard sermons where the person has said the same thing 3 or 4 different ways and that to me shows they don’t know how to explain it so they hope if they talk about it enough someone will understand.
A sermon should challange the Christians to grow in their walk with Christ, amd teach the gospel message of salvation in such a way that those who listen who are not Christians will want to become one.
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Jennifer
2:14 pm
When I preach, I try to answer the question “so what?” To which of the points in II Tim 3:16 does this passage apply? Of course realizing the Holy Spirit can take any passage and hit any of those marks with an individual. Thanks for the question, it is always good to be reminded that question IS being asked!
Bob Garbett´s last blog ..Everyone Communicates, Few Connect (book review)
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Bob Garbett
2:36 pm
In very plain language, I would love the homily or sermon to be just that…in plain language. (Sorry, Jason, I had to read your comment three times to understand what you meant. And I don’t know what that has to do with me, the listener.) Tell me a story. I will listen. Tell me the moral of the story. I will listen. Make it brief and I will listen to the very end of your sermon…and it will stay with me.
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Rosemary
4:25 pm
In preparing to teach, I focus on “enlightenment” which for me is basically informing and educating the listener. The idea of creating “light and understanding” where “darkness and confusion” existed motivates me.
After enlightenment, I work toward “empowering” the listener. For me, I need more than understanding. I need to be empowered. Empowerment allows a student or an adult to walk away knowing more and knowing how to apply all of this. Hopefully, this leads to spiritual transformation.
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Doug Hasley
4:54 pm
Whether I’m on the giving or receiving end of a sermon, it must contain three key elements: it must impart the character of God, it must be encouraging, and it must be enabling. If any of those three are absent, it is not a sermon.
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Larry Hehn
6:45 pm
What is the purpose of a sermon? I think the words of the old hymn, “I Love To Tell The Story,” sums it up really well.
Church Jumpstarter´s last blog ..The Valentine Conspiracy – My Call to Church Revitalization
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Church Jumpstarter
7:19 pm
I’ve contemplated this all day. I think that sermons should be God’s message. God loves, comforts, disciplines, edifies, etc. I learned a while back to not come with an agenda. They lead to frustration and disappointment. I feel it’s my responsibility to be a “sheep” under a “shepherd” that is listing to his Master. We are also called to study the Scriptures for ourselves… I think we partner with the sermon-giver to learn more about God and deepen our relationship.
The point… spiritual maturity.
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@hasbell
7:40 pm
Context: I am the Communications Pastor at Family Life Church (Brunswick, GA) and have the opportunity to assist in the creation of messages.
I would say that the point of the sermon is to “stir things up”. In people’s souls and minds, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
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Blane Young
7:43 pm
The point of a sermon is a way to allow others to get as excited as you are on the subject you’re speaking on and for them to take the fired up feeling they now have and dig further into what you was being spoken of.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Believe those words and surf on over to http://www.hybridhondas.com. Click on a link or two. It costs nothing but it sure will help a fellow brother out so he can continue helping others.
Spread the word to other brothers and sisters. Be blessed.
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JLJ
9:17 pm
I only present lessons to a small group setting to those fallen away from Christ, new believers or those that only known Christ yet yerning a desire to embrace more passion. As a young believer myself I rely on my personal experience in transformation and invite them to join me on this path. I’m so thankful for resources such as Pete, Andy Stanly, Rob Bell, Francis Chan just to mention a few to excite my listeners to see Christ in such a way that is not clouded by religion or legalism!
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Kristi schutter
2:18 am
There’s an ongoing discussion that I’ve been reading and reflecting on this blog: http://ht.ly/1SO8A
Basically, it questions the assumption that the “main event” of a church service should be the sermon.
As a pastor, have you ever questioned whether or not you should even give a sermon? (Sorry to rock the boat, but I’d love to get the perspective of someone not sitting in the “audience”.) Thoughts, Pete?
Jeff Goins´s last blog ..First Things First
[Reply]
Jeff Goins
7:58 am
Wow! Must say, after reading all these comments I’m glad I became a layman and not a minister! Never dreamed there was so much consider before writing a sermon.
To me, it was simple. (See how little I knew!) A sermon was to (a) lead me to Christ and then (b) help me grow. Grow to love God, grow to know how to love and help others, grow to know how to live, grow to know the Word.
I did like Ron Robertson’s professor’s quote very much.
Best wishes – and much more appreciation – to all you pastors and teachers!
[Reply]
Pete A.
9:31 am
I can think of only one thing: Jesus.
Chrystie´s last blog ..Pride
[Reply]
Chrystie
1:45 pm
What is the point of a message/sermon?
Interesting when I’ve had these discussions in the past, (present and no doubt future), the answers quickly go off at a tangent. Normally with people defending or attacking a certain style of preaching!
As I preach I try to remember the following:
* People need to hear the Bible’s message… not mine
* People need to hear all parts of the Bible… not just my favourite [New Zealand spelling
] bits.
* All styles of preaching should be used… because different people learn differently.
* This is my interpretation (except for the essential doctrine of my denomination) and people should be challenged to explore their own theology.
As for what I’m trying to achieve…
Transformation of people by the power of God’s word in their lives.
And as most (if not all transformation won’t take place during a 30 minute message) then my message can only ever be something that should start conversations.
Cultural Relevancy
Because all of the Bible is relevant to all of us. If I’m not relevant with my preaching then I’m not preaching the Bible!
That said, messages must, over time, cover the gambit of:
* Challenge
* Encourage
* Rebuke
* Teach
I have to try very hard not to go to my default mode which is a challenge/teach/favourite passages style.
Can’t beat up the congregation every week!
Paul Gardner´s last blog ..The Real Problem With Multi-Site Churches
[Reply]
Paul Gardner
3:41 pm
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