Sermon Advice

So I have been asked to give a sermon in January due to a Bible study I led on the leadership structure of the church.

Well one element of that excited my pastor and wanted me to expand on the parallel theme in the book of Ruth in relation to the Church(Bride) & Jesus (The Groom).

Now I have pages of notes that I believe after practice is down to the time limit I have been given.

I'm more of a writer and more comfortable with teaching classes but never really thought much about sermon preaching. I'm very notes driven so how can I make this transition from classroom notes driven teaching to a sermon type of public speaking.

The common advice I hear is just be yourself which is more of a college classroom vibe lol. I'm not charismatic in energy but more so very serious with the message as to me life and death hangs in the balance.

Since this is one of your first sermons, do what you are comfortable with. I have seen guest pastors read off notes or give PowerPoint presentations.

If both message and delivery are not great, one needs to compensate for the other.

You don't have to give a sermon; it's probably better if you don't in my opinion. One of the best speakers I've had the pleasure of listening to was more of a teacher than a sermonizer, even in front of the whole congregation. If the Lord has laid a message on your heart, and you and the pastor feel it's important, just explain it to them and show them from the scriptures why it's important. You're basically giving them what they need to see your vision.

I will have a PowerPoint to help the visual learners and note takers. Which I find helpful in a class setting to pull myself from the notes and speak using the PowerPoint as a guide.

Thank you, I'll stay focused on my main points, why it matters, and application. I have really enjoyed this study.

Some great preachers have simply read their sermons. If the Lord gives you something extemporaneously, simply add it and pick up again from your notes.

Why not talk it over with God?

I believe I know what God wants. But it is one of those things that is difficult because my overthinking conflicts with just trusting that His strength will move where I feel more like Moses in his hesitation to speak to Pharaoh lol.

You’ll relax with age.

Early in my preaching I would have others read the proof texts. It mainly helped the audiences stay awake.

Very true. Thank you for your advice.

Just look at it as another chance to teach and teach as you have been doing.
That is what preaching is supposed to be anyway.

Lol I do this in our study group.

Very true. Same thing just more people.

Ask Jesus to anoint you. It makes all the difference. It's good advice to just be yourself. God accepts you as you are, so why should anyone else have an issue?

They will love you. Why? Because you are lovable and sincere. Your love for God is genuine. People sense that.
That is what they respond to as much as anything else. Share what you know. You are gifted. But don't think
about that. Haha. Just be grateful for the gifts and opportunities God has given you to serve Him. You'll do great.

That is a great message in itself. God accepts us for who we are in this very moment not in the sense that we are to stay stagnant in sanctification but if He is willing to use us as we currently are, it is a great reminder who are we to suggest we are not a suitable vessel?

Hello brother. Plow deep. Im sure your familiar with 1 Timothy chapter 4. Lot of folks are listening to misguided preachers. And these shepherds are watering down God's word. Its like this. If they won't accept sound doctrine and reject you or any other shepherds. We don't want them. We're not going to beg anyone to abide by sound doctrine.

Matthew chapter 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet.

Body of Christ is not searching for popularity contest. We tell the truth. If people want to listen to doctrine of devils, then move on, and don't look back. We're here to serve Jesus and not please anyone. Jesus told what to do. Peace.

God puts His treasure in clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:7). In the old movies about treasure hunters, you see treasure in old wooden boxes. No one gets excited about the box. It's only of use to contain the treasure. Of course, God values His people highly and loves all humanity, so that's where the analogy falls over.

God will transform us if we are willing. 2 Timothy 2:20 & 21

"A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.…"

We cleanse ourselves by seeking deliverance by God's power. Some things are easy to let go of, others very hard. Yet the gospel is much more than going to heaven when you die. It is Luke 4:18 as well as John 1:12.

Maybe I am oversimplifying things, but it seems to me that you are focusing way too much on how the word will be delivered by you. In other words, the power is in the word itself. Just put it out there as best as you can. If what you say is true, then the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will do the real work of bringing the increase.