When you're in the fog of sermon preparation, sometimes a simple reminder of what you're trying to do, the basic movements and goals, is so helpful. I am grateful for Bryan Chapell's (2018) brief summary of a sermon's flow. I thought I would reproduce it here. (Adapted from pp. 211-213. The paragraphing and bolded summaries are mine). State the Main Point "If a main point … [Read more...] about The Basic Unfolding of a Sermon Point
Articles
Better to Enter the CCU
One part of being a pastor is visiting the sick. The other day I went to see someone in the CCU (Critical Care Unit), and as many times as I do it, I still feel nervous entering that particular wing of the hospital. A profound sense of gravity marks the CCU. People are often fighting for life down that hallway. They are banged up. They are speechless. Tubes and monitors and … [Read more...] about Better to Enter the CCU
Sweet Gospel Summary
John Stott (2006) so beautifully and so simply summarizes the message the apostles proclaimed: "Jesus was a man who was accredited by God through miracles and anointed by the Spirit to do good and to heal. Despite this, he was crucified through the agency of wicked men, though also by God's purpose according to the Scriptures that the Messiah must suffer. Then God reversed … [Read more...] about Sweet Gospel Summary
Going Backwards
I learned an important life lesson playing soccer: Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forward. I could hardly grasp the concept when my coach first stated it. He said we didn't have to force the ball down the field, always headed straight for the goal. In fact, that was often the most unproductive tact. Instead, passing the ball backwards, starting the attack over, and … [Read more...] about Going Backwards
Five Paradoxes of Preaching
John Stott (2011) lists five paradoxes of preaching. Good preaching is… Both biblical and contemporary (relating the ancient text to the modern context)Both authoritative and tentative (distinguishing between the infallible Word and its fallible interpreters)Both prophetic and pastoral(combining faithfulness with gentleness)Both gifted and studied(necessitating a divine … [Read more...] about Five Paradoxes of Preaching