Sermon Topics and Titles You've Never Seen or Heard -- But Would Like To.

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

This is inspired by a conversation in the "How is Single Life for You as a Christian?" thread. I personally nodded along in agreement when it was noted that no one has ever heard a sermon preaching why singleness can be a valid Christian life.

This got me thinking:

What sermons would YOU really like to hear at church?

Now I realize that most troubles in this life can't be changed with a sermon. But I for one am EXTREMELY frustrated by the strong push in church to be married -- but find nothing but dead silence on serious topics that are causing serious fractures/breaking points even if someone DOES get married.

I'd love to see sermon topics such as:

* "Singleness CAN be a God-Given Choice (or Calling) -- And Even Joyful!"

* "Raising Children Alone -- Whether Married, Single, Or Through Other Life Circumstances."

* "Caring for Others Who Can't Care for Themselves -- Without Burning Out."

* "Healing/Helping Others Heal From Sexual Abuse to a Point Where One Can Still Have a Healthy Marriage."

This is a personal pet topic of mine. A quick Google search states that it's estimated 1 in 10 people have been sexually abused by the age of 18 in the USA -- and the use of the world "people" emphasized the fact that both genders are at risk.

I RARELY, if EVER, hear this addressed in churches. And yet people are told to "GET MARRIED!!!" It's the only way to fulfill the most worthy and most high calling in God's kingdom!! As if it is suddenly going to be smooth sailing once two people make those lifelong vows. No one talks about the fact that many of the people they're telling to just get married are dealing with a myriad of demons they have no idea how to start facing. For some, getting married might be the last thing they should be doing.

I understand different people are called to different things, and we are all drawn to topics that involve our own callings.

So when some people say they "want to hear more sermons about the deeper things of God," Brother J might be wanting to hear a good lesson about the Scriptures taught in the original languages, and that's perfectly fine.

But for me, that does absolutely nothing of use in my persistent calling to deeply distressed (and usually abused) people. My idea of "developing a closer relationship with God" would mean teaching me something meaningful and genuinely helpful to say to a woman just told me her life story -- and how the repeated childhood sexual abuse she suffered in her family is killing her Christian marriage -- but neither one know what to do about it. Nor do they dare say a word to anyone out of shame and embarrassment.

I certainly understand the modern frustration with the church -- all kinds of people with very different callings, all expecting to be fed at the same place. The church doesn't know how to balance being general enough for the masses, but specific enough for everyone as they along the ladder of Christian living.

And so, one of my own personal contributions is to try to start safe places to talk about various hot-button issues I find my self drawn to --because I'm sure many others are feeling the same kinds of frustration and disillusionment.

* What topics would you like to see taught about at church (but never are) that pertain to your own life?

* Where do you go to get spiritually fed if your own church isn't providing what you need?

* What do you do to help foster the growth and acknowledgement you need in these un-talked about areas -- for both yourself, and for others?

 

[Lynx]

Those four topics sounds more like workshop classes than sermon titles.

Maybe you should be heading up seminars? Think about it anyway.

As for marriage not being perfect and dealing with somebody else's demons when you get married, I hear those messages occasionally in our church.

 

[seoulsearch]

Those four topics sounds more like workshop classes than sermon titles.

Maybe you should be heading up seminars? Think about it anyway.

As for marriage not being perfect and dealing with somebody else's demons when you get married, I hear those messages occasionally in our church.

I understand what you're saying about workshops rather than sermons.

But to me, it brings about the interesting question of what a sermon really is and should be.

I was in a church once that was trying to get a more workshop-based approach off the ground (ironically, it was the very same "no-owls" church I refer to often in chat outside of this site.) For all the issues I found there, it was the only church I was in that was actively trying to bring in ministries that dealt with people's problems in depth. However, none of them got off the ground.

People lost interest after a while, or various scandals/hoaxes/reasons to doubt were ruining the credibility of the ministries (Theophostic; Cleansing Streams; various classes on healings; support groups for addiction and divorce, etc.) I have to give them credit for at least trying.

I know there is a general feeling these days that churches are dying because people aren't dedicated to the faith, etc., but I think the other side of the coin is that people also have to see/know/experience the practicality of faith for their everyday life. Now what's the best way to achieve that, I don't know.

But if I found another church like that, I'd probably plant myself there for a while -- and, depending on how generic the sermons were, there might be a good chance I'd dedicate myself much more to attending the workshops rather than the Sunday services.

 

[Lynx]

I understand what you're saying about workshops rather than sermons.

But to me, it brings about the interesting question of what a sermon really is and should be.

I was in a church once that was trying to get a more workshop-based approach off the ground (ironically, it was the very same "no-owls" church I refer to often in chat outside of this site.) For all the issues I found there, it was the only church I was in that was actively trying to bring in ministries that dealt with people's problems in depth. However, none of them got off the ground.

People lost interest after a while, or various scandals/hoaxes/reasons to doubt were ruining the credibility of the ministries (Theophostic; Cleansing Streams; various classes on healings; support groups for addiction and divorce, etc.) I have to give them credit for at least trying.

I know there is a general feeling these days that churches are dying because people aren't dedicated to the faith, etc., but I think the other side of the coin is that people also have to see/know/experience the practicality of faith for their everyday life. Now what's the best way to achieve that, I don't know.

But if I found another church like that, I'd probably plant myself there for a while -- and, depending on how generic the sermons were, there might be a good chance I'd dedicate myself much more to attending the workshops rather than the Sunday services.

Yeah, well... Some people probably don't want to be seen attending some classes, for fear people will start whispering about them.

With our current technological state though, now would be a good time for a church to post some YouTube seminar workshop videos.

 

[seoulsearch]

Yeah, well... Some people probably don't want to be seen attending some classes, for fear people will start whispering about them.

With our current technological state though, now would be a good time for a church to post some YouTube seminar workshop videos.

That's an excellent point.

One of the churches was hosting a group for various addictions... I know it was on a night when nothing else was happening but I'm not sure what they did to try to protect attendees.

For myself, I'd be attending because God seems to introduce me to a lot of people who have gone through a lot of issues, whether or not I've been through them myself. You're right though in that online sessions might be an ideal option.

I remember when I attended an AA Meeting with a friend... and I was explaining that I'm allergic to alcohol and don't drink but was there with a friend for support...

I understand why they all rolled their eyes at me, but I'm still glad I went, and I would go again (just to support a friend though. If I can help it, I'm never getting into a relationship with a full-blown alcoholic again. Way too far over my head.)

 

[seoulsearch]

This thread was inspired by a small group chat I'm in of those from times past on CC who have met in person, or plan to do so.

Over the years here in Singles, we've often gotten criticism because we aren't constantly posting Scripture like in the Bible Discussion Forum, but what some don't realize is that we often have our own studies that discuss among ourselves rather than the public forum.

This thread was inspired by someone in our group who said they were frustrated with the same merry-go-round church sermons and wished there could be studies of the deeper things of God. And so I started to think about what "the deeper things of God" meant to me individually.

For me, it has to be something I can somehow translate into being useful for dealing with hurting people.

One of the hallmarks of my personality is that I'm often contemplating serious life stories others have told me, such as of childhood abuse... While writing threads about things like missing pigs and ham sandwiches.

This is how my "spiritual palette" cleanses itself, hitting the "reset" button with the most mundane of topics -- but underneath it all, using that reset as a preparation to take on the next hard truth.

 

[Lynx]

"New music styles are not inherently evil and just because it's old fashioned doesn't mean you can spit on it."

I mean... I HAVE heard that sermon, but I'd like to hear it again. There are still way too many people complaining about music they don't like instead of patiently waiting for the music they do like to be sung.

"Ethical use of modern technology - just because you can doesn't mean you should."

"How to deal with drama in the w*rkplace." (Proverbs 26:20)

"You're not an expert: How to hold on to your humility when Google makes you feel like you know everything."

"The tenth commandment." (That one will whittle down church memberships fast.)

 

[Lynx]

"How to be a Christian during a bad w*rk day."

(If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs, and blaming it on you,..)

 

[seoulsearch]

"Surviving Single Seniorhood" -- What kinds of resources are available (both in the community and in the church) for senior singles who are alone?

Especially these days (such as in the Lutheran churches I've attended where it's mostly much older members) -- even the married are finding themselves widowed/widowers, estranged from children or family members, or in the most heartbreaking cases, their relatives have all passed on before them.

 

[RodB651]

* What topics would you like to see taught about at church (but never are) that pertain to your own life?

I don't know,.. What if you wonder sometimes, you are kinda late in life (almost 59 in my case), you've been walking out your faith for over 30 years, but you still find your purpose?

* Where do you go to get spiritually fed if your own church isn't providing what you need?

I've got online study groups that have been more than adequate.

I know there is a general feeling these days that churches are dying because people aren't dedicated to the faith, etc., but I think the other side of the coin is that people also have to see/know/experience the practicality of faith for their everyday life. Now what's the best way to achieve that, I don't know.

Just my opinion, but I think most believers are either bored with church or they're not being challenged in any meaningful way.

"How to be a Christian during a bad w*rk day."

Now that would be interesting!.. A subtitle might be that sweet and bitter water does come from the same well. This is a personal struggle of mine.
There are people at work that know how to push my buttons, and when they get pushed, I can get abrasive quickly.

 

[seoulsearch]

I don't know,.. What if you wonder sometimes, you are kinda late in life (almost 59 in my case), you've been walking out your faith for over 30 years, but you still find your purpose?

I often wonder if the modern church has put too much emphasis on individuals "finding their purpose." Is this really emphasized by God? I might be missing something, but I don't remember Jesus telling the disciples that they needed to find their purpose, as if each one was their own main character on the stage of the spotlight projection that would become their lives. But that's how the modern church seems to make it sound.

I understand that different people are called to different things, but I think people have so much going on and are so many things at once (or across their lives) that it's hard to pinpoint a singular label or catchphrase as one's "purpose."

I have to wonder if our "calling" is just the sum of our lives, lived out one day at a time, in a seemingly very mundane fashion. I was thinking about your post the other day.

What is my purpose? I don't know. But I can only give a summary.

I wonder if the most famous people of the Bible often thought of themselves as having some kind of ultimate title or "purpose". I was thinking of Paul the other day as I tried to hand-write a letter, but had to switch glasses because I couldn't see my own writing. And I was thinking about all the horrible conditions in which Paul must have written his now-invaluable letters, such as from terrifyingly dark prison cells or while he was on house arrest, never really knowing his fate.

I wonder if Paul often thought, "But I must keep fulfilling my purpose! (As a great apostle!)" After all, I think this is what most people think of when they hear the words "finding my purpose" in the church -- some great calling that will touch dozens or thousands of people in their lifetime and beyond.

I don't think Paul thought that way. Rather, I think he just saw himself as doing what he could to serve God everyday, whether that was by preaching, teaching, writing, being arrested, abused, tortured, or waiting in prison. Paul didn't say, "I am called to this great purpose!" Rather he said, "Chief of sinners, though I be."

I think the modern church paints "one's purpose" as something glamorous, almost of celebrity status, that has us eager to wake up everyday and become just a little more important than yesterday. It's Main Character Syndrome on steroids, because we are told that GOD has a special plan and purpose for our lives! And it's apparently going to be delivered to us on the back of a shiny heavenly unicorn.

But we see none of these concerns or expectations in Paul. Rather, the Bible records his frustrations, despondence, and not wanting to go on, except that he knows this is what God wills of him.

I was thinking of you @RodB651 and what my own "purpose" might be after a lifetime of claiming to be a Christian.

And all I could think of were the little, mundane moments of my life: going to work, conversations, listening to/reading about a lot of life problems/issues, hours and hours of writing replies, doing laundry and picking up medicine for someone who wasn't feeling well...

Is that a purpose?

I don't know.

But it's all I've got when the time come for me to answer to our Maker about what I did with my life.

Hopefully He will find something in that mix to be of some worth, even if I never had a grandiose "purpose."

 

[Lynx]

I often wonder if the modern church has put too much emphasis on individuals "finding their purpose." Is this really emphasized by God? I might be missing something, but I don't remember Jesus telling the disciples that they needed to find their purpose, as if each one was their own main character on the stage of the spotlight projection that would become their lives. But that's how the modern church seems to make it sound.

I understand that different people are called to different things, but I think people have so much going on and are so many things at once (or across their lives) that it's hard to pinpoint a singular label or catchphrase as one's "purpose."

I have to wonder if our "calling" is just the sum of our lives, lived out one day at a time, in a seemingly very mundane fashion. I was thinking about your post the other day.

What is my purpose? I don't know. But I can only give a summary.

I wonder if the most famous people of the Bible often thought of themselves as having some kind of ultimate title or "purpose". I was thinking of Paul the other day as I tried to hand-write a letter, but had to switch glasses because I couldn't see my own writing. And I was thinking about all the horrible conditions in which Paul must have written his now-invaluable letters, such as from terrifyingly dark prison cells or while he was on house arrest, never really knowing his fate.

I wonder if Paul often thought, "But I must keep fulfilling my purpose! (As a great apostle!)" After all, I think this is what most people think of when they hear the words "finding my purpose" in the church -- some great calling that will touch dozens or thousands of people in their lifetime and beyond.

I don't think Paul thought that way. Rather, I think he just saw himself as doing what he could to serve God everyday, whether that was by preaching, teaching, writing, being arrested, abused, tortured, or waiting in prison. Paul didn't say, "I am called to this great purpose!" Rather he said, "Chief of sinners, though I be."

I think the modern church paints "one's purpose" as something glamorous, almost of celebrity status, that has us eager to wake up everyday and become just a little more important than yesterday. It's Main Character Syndrome on steroids, because we are told that GOD has a special plan and purpose for our lives! And it's apparently going to be delivered to us on the back of a shiny heavenly unicorn.

But we see none of these concerns or expectations in Paul. Rather, the Bible records his frustrations, despondence, and not wanting to go on, except that he knows this is what God wills of him.

I was thinking of you @RodB651 and what my own "purpose" might be after a lifetime of claiming to be a Christian.

And all I could think of were the little, mundane moments of my life: going to work, conversations, listening to/reading about a lot of life problems/issues, hours and hours of writing replies, doing laundry and picking up medicine for someone who wasn't feeling well...

Is that a purpose?

I don't know.

But it's all I've got when the time come for me to answer to our Maker about what I did with my life.

Hopefully He will find something in that mix to be of some worth, even if I never had a grandiose "purpose."

Yeah, I've never heard our pastor preaching from that book about a purpose-driven life.

Somebody's purpose needs to be scrubbing the toilets and vacuuming the floors. Otherwise things are going to get pretty nasty. And it's not a purpose you can just do once and quit.

 

[Karlon]

healing & proof that God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit are true. healing: James 5:14 & 15 & Matthew 4:23. it seems amongst many Christians, healing is misunderstood. i'm talking about physical healing. so much to say on that subject. in fact, in James 5:15, in the liner study helps, it is explained, "the prayer produce by that faith WILL HEAL" & "the prayer that results from true faith IS EFFECTIVE". but just a bit later, it says, "the prayer of faith discerns God's will & preserves until it is accomplished". & the very next line is: "God's will, however, is NOT TO HEAL in every case & true faith can discern & accept that". well, if you have ever heard of a contradiction, this is it!!! so what's the sense in praying the prayer of faith if you believe that God will not heal in every case? remember: "WILL HEAL" & "IS EFFECTIVE"! so, you are praying to God for physical healing but concomitantly you are believing in the opposite that God may not heal! no, there aren't any contradictions in the Bible. i definitely believe that. i understand an atheist may not be healed because of John 9:31 but what about believing Christians? but i still haven't heard any preacher nor anyone else explain this.

 

[RodB651]

I often wonder if the modern church has put too much emphasis on individuals "finding their purpose." Is this really emphasized by God? I might be missing something, but I don't remember Jesus telling the disciples that they needed to find their purpose, as if each one was their own main character on the stage of the spotlight projection that would become their lives. But that's how the modern church seems to make it sound.

Its not so much that I'm looking for a church driven purpose, but I just want to see if there is something interesting to do when I quit factory work.

 

[Lynx]

I'd like to hear a sermon on Luke 4:25-27.

The story of Naaman was interesting, but until I read Luke I didn't know that Naaman was the ONLY one God healed of leprosy in Elisha's time. Did God only have enough power to heal that one person? Did God not care as much about his own people as he did about an outsider?

Or maybe physical healing isn't as important as we think, and God was going after something he considered more important...