Jump Start # 928

Note: Monday is a holiday so there will not be a Jump Start.

Acts 10:29 “This is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me?”

Our verse begins the conversation between the apostle Peter and Cornelius. This was huge. Up to this point the Gospel has been preached, especially by Peter, to the Jews. Philip began preaching to Samaritans in chapter 8. Cornelius was not Jewish nor a Samaritan. He was a Roman army officer. Unlike the typical Roman soldier, Cornelius was a good man, who knew about God and loved Him. He was not cruel, mean or a hard nose like some Romans became after the fighting that they did with other nations.

During a prayer, God acknowledged to this Roman that his prayers were heard. Peter was sent. He tells Cornelius about Jesus and the doorway to the Gentiles bursts open.

Peter’s question, “For what reason you have sent for me,” is a great question. It’s a question that all preachers need to consider. It gets into the purpose and planning of preaching.

Today is Friday. Most love Friday, because the weekend comes and there are days off. The preacher views Friday differently than most people. It’s Friday, and Sunday is coming and I have to get everything finished. A preacher ought to know by Friday what he is preaching on Sunday. Some don’t. Some have had a busy week and are still working on things.

The choice of what to preach on is huge in all the things that a preacher does. Finding the idea is one of the hardest. It comes easy for some. Others really struggle with that. Something interesting. Something needful. Something helpful. The thought has to be given to what the congregation needs, where are they spiritually and how can a lesson help them.

I’m saying these things for a couple of reasons. The choice of sermon is as important as the sermon itself. Picking easy things…or safe things…or things that will make the preacher more loved is not what God wants. Timothy was told by Paul to preach the word. He told him to be instant, in season and out of season. There are sermon topics that are needed but not the number one choice of the crowd. It may not even be the number one choice of the preacher. The purpose of sermons is to help, encourage, warn, teach, and connect with God.

Some preachers like to dwell in the land of controversy. Of all the things that they could preach, they pick something that is out there, that most often only they have given thought to and are concerned about. The thoughts are radical, often not even thought out. Instead of helping, it stirs everyone up. Words are said. The preacher gets upset. The church gets upset. Most of this came from pushing the envelop on controversial things that could have been handled so much better.

Other preachers plow through a book of the Bible which is helpful but too often doesn’t address what is going on with the congregation. Times of death, stress, worry, joy need to be focused upon and directed with God’s word. Hearts are enriched by timely lessons. Long ago, the advice given to young preachers was to have a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other hand. The point, current events are current. These are the things that are happening now. These are the things that folks need to know how to deal with in accordance with God’s word.

Timely lessons are just that, they are timely. Many factual lessons come across as college lectures that are full of info and facts but are not practical to everyday living. The preacher must give that some thought. He must be wise in what he preaches about.

The best way to do that is to be with the brethren. He knows what they are going through. He knows the heartbeat of the congregation. He is one among them.

Sunday sermons ought to be a great help to you personally. They ought answer questions, fill you with faith and remind you of who we are and where we are going. Sunday sermons need to be filled with Scriptures. They ought to build hope and strengthen our resolve. The preacher is to preach the word, and not his doubts. He is to point the way. It is not a time for him to get back at someone, air his pet peeves, or push his own agenda. He is to preach God’s word and help God’s people. Each audience has a mixture of people. Some who want to be there and some who don’t. Some who understand and some who don’t. Some who are trying and some who are not. Some who are with you and some who have doubts. Some are ready for depth and some still need some spoon feeding. It’s a challenge to connect to such a diverse audience. It’s a challenge to find something to preach about week after week.

The challenge to be interesting, factual, Biblical and helpful takes a lot of thought, practice and talent from God. I’m blessed to now sit at the feet of a gifted and extremely talented preacher in our congregation that has helped me so much. Do not take such men for granted. The good ones are rare. The ones that are truly making a difference need to be honored. It is a delight for me to be taught by Zack, who I consider my preacher. Young, passionate, strong, helpful, thoughtful and talented. A true thoroughbred among God’s people. Open the barn door and let ‘em run!

Do you have someone like that? When you find one, keep him. Help him. Let him know you are behind him.

Preaching is so much more than just standing behind a pulpit and talking. It begins long before that with finding what’s best to preach on each week. That choice can make all the difference.

Roger