Transforming Sermons

Learning to preach

From Paul T. McCain, here is some solid advice for aspiring preachers.

Pouring some more

Vicki Gaines is serving up a cup of holiday tea: "Drink deeply this Christmas from the water of Life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"One quick thought. The early church and New Testament writers didn't seem to make a big deal about what we now commemorate as Christmas. Obviously far more time and attention is spent on the crucifixion and resurrection. But historically Christmas came to be celebrated in the early centuries of church history because of heresies that denied the full humanity of Jesus in the Incarnation. And celebrating Christmas became a practical way that the church could remember that Jesus was in fact physically born of a woman, that he indeed took on our flesh and blood. If he had not truly become one of us, he could not truly save us. Christmas is at its heart a Christological proclamation that the Word truly became flesh and dwelt among us."

- Al Hsu

Truth and love

The Seeking Disciple tells "Why we don't play Santa Claus with our children."

"Have a well-informed Christmas"

Jeff Weddle offers the top four candidates for most annoying Christmas beliefs.

Sleeping body

Will Willimon has made an interesting discovery:

Sleep is the predominate posture for the church. I first noticed this in the Book of Acts. Some of the most important intrusions of God, such as the revelation to Peter (Acts 10) and the release of Peter from prison (Acts 12), occur while the church and its leaders are fast asleep.

I recommend Dr. Willimon's whole article.

A better Joshua

As a literature teacher I especially like this kind of Bible study: ways in which Joshua foreshadows Jesus.

Avoiding manipulation

"My sense is that manipulation occurs when I, as a preacher, utilize my ability to make a mark in the emotions that is disctinct from the content of the biblical text. After all, the text is boss in an expository sermon, so if I am representing that text appropriately, then it should not be manipulation. But when I resort to “techniques” – stand-alone tear-jerking stories, turns of phrase, emotional outbursts of my own, etc. – that aren’t representing the message of the text, then I am on dangerous ground.

"If we remember that our role is to herald the Word of God, then we represent (re-present) the text of Scripture. In so doing we need to represent a Word that targets the heart very often, and is seldom focused purely on exhortation or education. We should be wary of manipulation, but not so that we ignore any textual targeting of the heart. If we fall into the trap of performing, then manipulation creeps in so easily and we can corrupt the pure Word of God."

- Peter Mead

Going deeper

Jeff Weddle: "One thing I have learned over the years is that as soon as you think you have a handle on a verse, keep reading! Something will come soon after that will shatter your previous understanding." Jeff gives a good example of this principle in his look at Isaiah 42."

Preaching and encouragement

Ray Ortlund offers some outstanding advice on preaching and encouragement. Here's a sample:

Do we find encouragement in one another? Sometimes. But that supply is limited. We come together at church not to amass the encouragement we bring in but to receive the encouragement he is pouring out. If we come to church only to draw strength from one another, that’s all we’ll get. And we will end up empty and angry at one another. Putting community first destroys community. Our encouragement is in Christ, and he is inexhaustible.

Amen. I recommend reading the whole article.

Advent and last things

John Mark Reynolds shares some advent reflections.

Pharisees, therapists, and gospel

Glen Scrivener gives links and a handy overview of the three basic models of ministry.

No more junk

Eric Jones reflects on Matthew 5:30 and urges Christians to jettison the junk:

We live in a culture where people love their sin. They are so comfortable with sin that they fill their minds and ultimately their hearts with it on a regular basis as they watch TV, go to movies, or surf the internet. We lie to ourselves and say we can handle it, but we can’t. What we put in us affects us and either builds us up or tears us down. It either brings us life or brings us death. It either glorifies God or it offends Him. What we look at matters. What we listen to matters. Where we go matters. Who we hang out with matters. It either builds us up and promotes holiness or it tears us down and breeds sin. We need more of the stuff that promotes holiness and lifts up the name of Jesus. And we need to remove those things from our lives that breed sin, that draw us away from God and into sin, that entice us to commit spiritual adultery and forget our first love – Jesus Christ. We have all we need in Christ Jesus to jettison the junk and live for God.

Amen.

Spirituality in the USA

Uh-oh. Someone’s God is going to be jealous.

What will they mimic?

"We must preach as those genuinely captivated by the love of God in the Word of God. We must preach contagiously as those who enjoy delightful engagement with this God. Our listeners will subconsciously mimic our leadership in their own “spirituality”–the question is; what kind of spirituality will they mimic? Will theirs be an intellect-only spirituality? Or will it be a purely pragmatic, self-concerned spirituality? Will it be a pseudo-spiritual flight of fancy unearthed in the truth of God’s revelation in His Word? Or will it perhaps be relational, Word-based, heart-level, real?"

- Peter Mead

Intercession, prayer, and holiness

Jeff Weddle has made some valuable discoveries about intercession:

Intercession does not mean going through a list of troubled people and going off on them to God, knowing what they need, hoping they will get as smart as you to see what their problem really is.

Intercession for people is meeting with them, talking with them, being there with them. It’s much more than thinking of them in prayer: DO SOMETHING FOR THEM. I think you could sum it up with: love your neighbor.

If intercession is something you do that leads you to pride, you’re not doing intercession. When it’s done right it leads to a peaceable, godly life.

Amen.

I know it's hard for some people to believe, but Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's do not bring out the same emotions in everyone. While many people see this as a most joyous time of year, many also grieve more now than during the rest of the year.

Dan's right, and he offers advice and a link for helping those whose holiday is framed in gloom.

Update: Victoria Gaines shares similar thoughts at Windows to My Soul.