These questions come from an evaluation form used in Gordon-Conwell preaching classes (circa 2004). They provided a helpful grid for assessing student sermons, but they also act as a helpful checklist for sermon preparation. Take a look! If you are ever working on a sermon, these questions may serve you well. Introduction Does it get attention?Does it touch some need directly or indirectly?Does it orient you to the subject?Or does it orient you to the first point? Structure Is the … [Read more...] about Questions to Assess a Sermon
Sabbath Dimensions – Relevance
[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] As we close out this series, this final post is kind of a postscript. This series has been written about observing a sabbath. By this, we have endeavored to consider the day as a beneficial practice or habit, but we have stopped short of talking about its more technical, theological shifts. So, here I want to say just a word about its ongoing relevance for Christians. The exegetical challenges of appropriating the Old … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Relevance
Sabbath Dimensions – Preparation
[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] I mentioned in the last post the need to consider a couple of meta dimensions of the sabbath. This is the second one: preparation. Modern advocates often forget this practical, necessary aspect of sabbath observance. People talk about the day itself, as we have, but fail to consider that one of the keys to sabbath observance begins the day before. You must get ready to sabbath. In the Bible, we bump into this necessity. … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Preparation
Sabbath Dimensions – Denial
[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] In this series, we have been talking about dimensions of the day itself: Rest, Remembrance, and Relationship. But in this post and the next, I want to mention two, kind of, meta dimensions, that contribute to the day but are outside of the day. The first meta dimension is denial. It is not easy to observe a sabbath. It sounds easy. Rest, remembrance, and relationship, these are all things we love. But when you get to your … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Denial
Sabbath Dimensions – Relationship
[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] The final core dimension of a sabbath is relationship. Relationship does not mean simply having lunch with friends and family, though that is certainly a worthy expression of this dimension. Relationship refers to the communal nature of its observance. The Sabbath was to be for everyone. The Sabbath is something we do together. In Old Testament Israel, the Sabbath Day was not reserved for the wealthy or social elites. It was for … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Relationship
Acts 2:1-47
Note: These are sermon notes. Sermon notes aren't the sermon that was given but the sermon that was planned. I'm not sure if these would be helpful in any way, but I thought I might try posting a few to see if they are of any use to anyone. Introduction Good morning! Look up Acts 2 with me. Today, we come to a moment in history that is as relevant today to us as it was to those present there 2000 years ago. It is a moment that redefines God’s people and further establishes the Gospel … [Read more...] about Acts 2:1-47