Preaching | Pro Preacher

15 Father’s Day Sermon Ideas

Preach David’s dying words to Solomon on how to be a man in 1 Kings 2:1-4.

Preach Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and challenge fathers to be spiritual leaders in their family in every day life.

Preach how children are a blessing from Psalm 127:3-5.

Preach the story of David’s son Absalom rebelling against him. Even David, wasn’t a perfect parent and dealt with a rebellious child (2 Samuel 13-18).

Preach how just as fathers discipline their kids, God disciplines us because He loves us (Proverbs 3:11-12). Continue Reading…

Jesus was the master teacher. Thousands would gather to hang on his every word. People traveled far and wide just to hear him. The lessons he taught spread like fire and literally changed the world.

As pastors, if there is anyone we should emulate in our preaching and teaching it is Jesus! Right?

Photo Credit: Doug Wheller cc

So how did Jesus teach? Here are nine methods Jesus used that we can apply:

Jesus Spoke by His Authority

Other teachers quoted credible teachers or teachings to borrow authority. Jesus, on the other hand, boldly declared, “You have heard this, but I tell you…” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44).

The crowds were amazed because He taught as one who had authority, unlike other teachers (Mark 1:22, Matthew 7:28-29). Jesus alone could do this, because he is the Word (John 1). All authority on Heaven and Earth has been given to him (Matthew 28:18).

Application: We cannot preach on our authority, but that’s OK. Jesus gives us his. Preach the Word. Our power and authority come from Christ alone.

Jesus Told Stories

As you are aware, Jesus told countless parables. He pulled spiritual truths from everyday life. Not only did these stories make his teaching more memorable, they also connected in much more profound way.

Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus could have just taught, “God loves you so much that He will welcome you back no matter how sinful you have lived.” But instead Jesus tells the story of a boy who disowns his family, parties away his inheritance, comes home to beg for mercy, but is surprisingly welcomed with open arms by his father who waited daily for his return. Which is more powerful?

Application: Tell stories. Lots of them. Use everyday life to teach profound spiritual truths.

Jesus Shocked People

Jesus often used hyperbole. He used outrageous examples, exaggerations, or shocking statements to get your attention. These statements were not all meant to be taken literally, but they definitely got the point acroos.

For example Jesus didn’t really mean we have to rip out our eyes and amputate our hands for causing us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30), or else all Christians would be blind amputees. He also didn’t mean that the people he was speaking to literally had logs in their eyes (Matthew 7:3-5). He was making a point.

Jesus said things that shocked people and exaggerated the truth to emphasize his point.

Application: Shock people. Exaggerate a little. Say outrageous things that aren’t meant to be literal, but grab attention and communicate the point clearly.

What do you do when you have a desire to preach, but cannot seem to find an opportunity? What do you do while you are stuck waiting in the wings for your shot?

Maybe your senior pastor preaches almost every Sunday and brings in guest preachers when he doesn’t, the youth pastor you volunteer with never gives up control of his platform, or you are in Bible college or seminary just waiting for your chance. What do you do?

"I've been sitting, waiting, wishing" - Day Seventeen

Photo credit: Nathan O’Nions cc

Here are a few ideas:

Pray. Seek God first. Ask Him for the right opportunity to come along.
Accept every opportunity you can get. Don’t say no to any potential speaking opportunities, no matter how small. Whether its at a retirement home, a school club, or a kids vacation bible school, you are in no position to be picky. Take whatever you can get.
Tell somebody. Talk to the pastor about your desire to preach. Have you told anyone about this calling you feel to preach? Put it out there and see what happens.
Look for opportunities and volunteer to help. You might be surprised how many people would be willing to give you a shot if they knew you wanted it. Contact some people and let them know you would be willing if they ever needed help. Continue Reading…

“Man plans, God laughs” (Yiddish Proverb)

I’m not preaching this week, but that wasn’t my original plan. And I tend to love my plans. I wonder if God laughs at me – more like a sympathetic chuckle, I imagine. He knows my foolishness and loves me still. Even to alter my plans, even good plans, to accomplish His purposes. Thankfully, I’ll be preaching the week after. And then another week off, followed by a week on. And this is the pattern, which I did not want or choose, for the next 5 months or so.

Permit me to back up and explain.

Photo Credit: Kelly B cc

Towards the end of February, I knew my preaching series on 1 John was going to be wrapping up and then Easter would follow shortly thereafter. At that time my biggest concern was trying to figure out was I was going to preach on for a few weeks and also for Easter (well, a little more specific than the Resurrection). I primarily preach expositorily through books of the Bible, alternating between Old and New Testaments. All of which means that I can struggle sometimes when I have finished a series, but it’s not profitable to start a new one yet.

The other plan I was working on was getting a break the Sunday after Easter. I was going to take a few days of study leave and head to the mountains of Northeast Alabama for some extended prayer, reflection, and study. I was really looking forward to that time, especially knowing there was going to be some exhaustion from preaching the previous 13 weeks. As an aside, I think it’s healthy, where possible, to get out of the pulpit every now and then on weeks that aren’t vacation weeks. With the elders’ approval, I began making those plans.

“The Record Scratch”

And then the record scratched. My record. My plans. There was a colonoscopy, endoscopy, & CT scan at the very end of February to determine the cause of some health symptoms. The very next day, I received the call that no one wants to receive and that this 36 year-old did not expect (at least before the tests). Colon Cancer was confirmed, with surgery immediately forthcoming the next week. I got one last sermon in before surgery. And then all my plans, preaching or otherwise vanished. Poof. Gone. Continue Reading…

Archives For Preaching

15 Ideas to Jump-Start Your Father’s Day Sermon

15 Father’s Day Sermon Ideas

9 Teaching Methods of Jesus

Jesus Spoke by His Authority

Jesus Told Stories

Jesus Shocked People

What to do While Waiting for Your Shot to Preach

Tremble & Rejoice

“Man plans, God laughs” (Yiddish Proverb)

“The Record Scratch”

Friday Links