What should we Preach?

[Reddogs]

My father was a minister, so I grew up listening to innumerable sermons and series, and my mother did the various church and health messages, think '5 day plan to stop smoking', and I knew what was coming for each night. But, come to the present and I sometimes seem to struggle in what sermon to bring before the brethren, as I volunteer for the sermon as a elder.

I thought I was the only one that some weeks I had no idea what to preach about, till almost the day of the sermon. But I have become aware that others also struggle to find what they should preach especially after hitting all the major points and beliefs. It might be that some are between ideas for what the brethren need or just struggling for ideas.

If we who preach as lay preachers were all honest, we’ve come across this, or come to the point of asking ”What do the people need?”

So how do you find a message from God’s Word that your church needs and you are excited about?

 

[Lynx]

I've heard of a lot of online resources, canned messages of sorts, that some preachers use.

I dunno. I just notice something in the Bible that makes me go "huh..." and I chew on it for a while, and eventually it becomes a message.

Here's one for you. A gift from me to you. I have read the story about the ten Israelite spies reporting about the giants and how Israel couldn't take the land. I've read it a lot. But just the other day I was reading it and I realized... They still had that cloud over the temple. At night they still had that pillar of fire. They still had visible proof that God was with them. But they worried themselves out of a victory anyway.

I recommend tying that into any of the many verses about not worrying. My favorite is where Jesus basically tells them "All that stuff is what OTHER people have to worry about. You shouldn't be worrying about it."

 

[Lynx]

Sometimes there's a message in very few words. When David says to his brother, "Is there not a cause?" those were five very powerful words.

 

[Cameron143]

Pick a book of the Bible and preach it verse by verse. Give the meaning, the message, then make application to the audience.

 

[Gideon300]

My father was a minister, so I grew up listening to innumerable sermons and series, and my mother did the various church and health messages, think '5 day plan to stop smoking', and I knew what was coming for each night. But, come to the present and I sometimes seem to struggle in what sermon to bring before the brethren, as I volunteer for the sermon as a elder.

I thought I was the only one that some weeks I had no idea what to preach about, till almost the day of the sermon. But I have become aware that others also struggle to find what they should preach especially after hitting all the major points and beliefs. It might be that some are between ideas for what the brethren need or just struggling for ideas.

If we who preach as lay preachers were all honest, we’ve come across this, or come to the point of asking ”What do the people need?”

So how do you find a message from God’s Word that your church needs and you are excited about?

Pray and, if you can, fast. I used to fast part of a day, twice a week. I have a medical condition so I don't now. I found that God can put like a seed into my heart. I start looking up scriptures and I form a better understanding of what I believe the Lord wants me to say. When I taught an informal Bible school curriculum, I covered what I consider the fundamentals. I have simple points that are scripture based and I expanded on those. If you like, I can provide you with a copy.

Another way to go about it is to go through the Bible verse by verse. It's not my way, but it is helpful if you are stuck. Another thing to keep in mind it is that we are a body, not a one man band. Feel free to give the platform to someone else who believes they have something form the Lord. Remember too that God often chooses the things that "are not." He likes to shame those who think that they are superior to mere mortals who do not have a doctorate of divinity. There is nothing that dents religious pride like an uneducated preacher who preaches the word in power and anointing.

 

[jacko]

Personally, I find that many Christians love to "preach" but not love.
So I say love each other so preach the command for us to love each other.

 

[Lynx]

Personally, I find that many Christians love to "preach" but not love.
So I say love each other so preach the command for us to love each other.

Yeah, that.

Also a good guide on figuring out what to preach. We're not up there to self-aggrandize or load people up with guilt. We are there to help them. There are a lot of people who say they are preaching the truth in love, but they sure don't sound like they have a lot of love.

 

[ThereRoseaLamb]

I've heard of a lot of online resources, canned messages of sorts, that some preachers use.

I dunno. I just notice something in the Bible that makes me go "huh..." and I chew on it for a while, and eventually it becomes a message.

Here's one for you. A gift from me to you. I have read the story about the ten Israelite spies reporting about the giants and how Israel couldn't take the land. I've read it a lot. But just the other day I was reading it and I realized... They still had that cloud over the temple. At night they still had that pillar of fire. They still had visible proof that God was with them. But they worried themselves out of a victory anyway.

I recommend tying that into any of the many verses about not worrying. My favorite is where Jesus basically tells them "All that stuff is what OTHER people have to worry about. You shouldn't be worrying about it."

That'll preach!! I'm a born worrier. I fight it, hard. That sermon would be for me.

 

[Reddogs]

Pray and, if you can, fast. I used to fast part of a day, twice a week. I have a medical condition so I don't now. I found that God can put like a seed into my heart. I start looking up scriptures and I form a better understanding of what I believe the Lord wants me to say. When I taught an informal Bible school curriculum, I covered what I consider the fundamentals. I have simple points that are scripture based and I expanded on those. If you like, I can provide you with a copy.

Another way to go about it is to go through the Bible verse by verse. It's not my way, but it is helpful if you are stuck. Another thing to keep in mind it is that we are a body, not a one man band. Feel free to give the platform to someone else who believes they have something form the Lord. Remember too that God often chooses the things that "are not." He likes to shame those who think that they are superior to mere mortals who do not have a doctorate of divinity. There is nothing that dents religious pride like an uneducated preacher who preaches the word in power and anointing.

Thank you my brother. You wont believe it, but that is something I have just taken up, to fast for part of the day, usually from morning till evening, then fruit or salad to not put a shock to the system as my doctor also says I need to reduce for a medical condition. I am feeling much sharper and stronger, and am looking to see if I can fast over longer periods as that can cause its own problems. But we shall see what God sees fit, and of course dont forget prayer..

 

[Lynx]

Thank you my brother. You wont believe it, but that is something I have just taken up, to fast for part of the day, usually from morning till evening, then fruit or salad to not put a shock to the system as my doctor also says I need to reduce for a medical condition. I am feeling much sharper and stronger, and am looking to see if I can fast over longer periods as that can cause its own problems. But we shall see what God sees fit, and of course dont forget prayer..

Somebody should mention this, so I guess it's up to me: it is a good thing that you take it seriously enough to worry about doing it right.

For a while I was concerned that I got nervous every time. Then I decided if I ever reached the point where I don't get nervous every time, I don't care enough about doing it right and I need to hang it up.

 

[Levib]

I recently watched a teaching by John Lennox and he said, if you ‘desperately seek God and get to know him - then you will have something to say.’

 

[Gideon300]

That'll preach!! I'm a born worrier. I fight it, hard. That sermon would be for me.

Jesus said to be anxious for nothing. And that was mostly what my anxiety was about - nothing. Not so much these days. Old age has some advantages........

 

[gb9]

Jesus said to be anxious for nothing. And that was mostly what my anxiety was about - nothing. Not so much these days. Old age has some advantages........

true. the older i get, i find i worry less, and trust God more..