31

Jump Start # 2215

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2215

1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert, your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

One of the features of our congregation’s website and Facebook page is a quote that is posted every day. We call these, “Quick Quotes.” One of our Quick Quotes this week said, “By yielding to temptation one may lose in a moment what it took him a lifetime to gain.” That fits well with our verse today. The devil is alive and well. He is on the hunt. He’s looking and too often we are not. Temptations can come quickly, in a moment, as the Quick Quote claimed. And, in that one brief moment, it can set back what it took years to build.

Consider one’s reputation. In one angry flare up, hateful words are said, and they are remembered. All the good that one has tried to establish by teaching the love of Christ, the bond that is shared among brethren, can collapse because of one angry moment. Certainly one can apologize. Differences can be mended through grace and forgiveness, but that one moment can sure undo what it took a long time to establish.

Consider one’s character. In a moment of lust, one can close his eyes to the trust others have in him, and destroy years of marriage, faithfulness and confidence that others had in him. That one moment could be all that it takes to end the marriage. That one moment could be all it takes to let others down and drive a deep wedge in his family.

Consider one’s career. In a moment of greed, a man is caught stealing from his company, or even the church. He loses his job. He is escorted off the company grounds. Police are involved. He may be facing jail time. He thought he could cook the books. He thought he could repay the money before anyone found out. He thought no one would notice. His departure down that dark road, has crashed his career. It took years for him to get where he is at and now no one will even look at his resume.

It’s easy to tear down. Just about anyone, given a sledgehammer, can knock a wall down. It takes a long time to build something right. In just a moment, all the good that has been done, can be lost. Unloving words. Quick actions that were not thought out. Unforgiving spirits. Years of sermons are washed away in a flood of tears because members forgot to act like Jesus. It just takes a moment to ruin what it took a long time to establish and build.

This tells us the nature of temptation. It’s instant and at the moment. It’s not thought out, planned nor are consequences considered. Temptation is about self. The man who surrenders to lust isn’t thinking about his marriage and his promises that he made to his wife. The person who belittles others isn’t thinking about turning the cheek nor giving someone a chance to explain himself. Temptation is swift. It’s selfish. It is destructive and it can take the rest of our lives to undue what it caused.

It takes a long time to establish a great career. Once it’s ruined, there simply may not be enough time left in one’s life to overcome that. A lawyer who is debarred. A doctor who loses his license. A teacher who is fired for sexual misconduct with a student. A preacher who is fired for having an affair. The moments of temptation passes quickly, but the damage remains. Some may never recover. Some must move. Some must find other things to do. Some will have that label with them as long as they live.

Those ruined by temptation realize that simply saying you are sorry isn’t enough. It’s not enough to save a marriage. It’s not enough to save a career. It’s not enough to regain trust with others. Hollywood and the world of sports has painted this unrealistic image of high profile people saying horrendous things and after being called on the carpet, they offer a simple apology and all is expected to be fine. It might be in their world, but for most of us, the consequences that follow may take years and years to recover from.

Is it any wonder that Peter pushes two major warnings at the front side of our verse. First, be of sober spirit. We know what sober means. In most context it means not influenced by alcohol. We’d say, “He’s thinking straight.” Or, “He has his head on straight.” Under the influence of alcohol, a person becomes more daring. They do not drive well. Their vision, mind and judgment is impaired. That’s why alcohol and fornication fit so well together. Thinking straight a person wouldn’t toss their reputation, career, or family for a fling with a co-worker. But impair their thinking, toss in the moment of temptation, and everything changes. “I just wasn’t thinking,” becomes the anthem of those who are not sober in spirit. Peter is not talking about alcohol. He’s talking about life. Life isn’t one big joke. Get serious. What are you thinking? Why are you flirting with someone you are married to? Just having a little fun? Be sober. What are you thinking when you are changing prices and stealing from the company? Be sober.

Peter’s other warning is “be on the alert.” Satan’s there. He’s at work before you got there today. He’s already setting up shop for the day. His briefcase is open and he’s looking at various ways he can tempt you today. A little lie here. A little lust there. A little greed. A little gossip. A little dishonesty. He’ll take those temptations and sprinkle some selfishness on top to make it appealing to you. He knows just what flavor you like. And, there before you know it, is temptation. He’ll remind you that you deserve it. He’ll tell you that you are not getting the attention, praise that you ought to have. He’ll stroke that ego. He’ll fill your mind to the point that you can’t see anything but temptation. Then, he will provide an opportunity. Here’s your chance. And, as our Quick Quote says, “in a moment, you lose what it took a life time to gain.” Peter’s words are be on the alert. Keep your eyes open.

This past summer my wife and I went to a foreign city. We were warned about pick pockets. We were told how they use children and how they often work in pairs. My eyes were open. I was watching everyone and was very careful about what I did. We were on the alert. We had no problems. This is what Peter is telling his audience. Keep your eyes open. Satan is out there. We are traveling through lion country. It’s dangerous. Satan will use people. Satan will use your situation. Satan will use TV, movies and even brethren, to trip you and cause you to sin. He’ll use more than one form of temptation. He’ll work late at night as well as early in the morning. As you leave work today, Satan’s already setting up things at home. When you go on a vacation, Satan has already moved into your hotel before you arrive. He’s everywhere. There is no place, even the church building, where Satan doesn’t have a key and cannot get in. He’ll use discouragement if he can’t get you with lust. He’ll confuse you with tough situations if he can’t move you by greed. He’ll try to get you to compromise. He’ll do all that he can to get you to lift your foot off the spiritual accelerator. He’ll throw things at you to get you mad. He’ll try to get you mad at brethren. He’ll try to get you mad at your family. Satan knows what helps us spiritually. He’ll try to put some distance between us and those things.

And, to all of this, Peter says, Be alert. Don’t be a dummy who walks right into the open arms of sin. Don’t be so gullible and blind that you do not see the dangers. He’s out to get you. When he does it won’t be pretty. The lion tears flesh apart. The lion kills. And Satan will kill all that is dear to your heart. He doesn’t care.

What can we do? We can’t kill this lion. We are not told to go lion hunting. Be on the alert. Be sober. James adds, “resist.” Resist the devil and he will flee from you. That’s the solutions. That’s the hope.

It’s time to wake up and realize that the lion has his eyes on you. “By yielding to temptation one may lose in a moment what it took him a lifetime to gain.”

Roger

30

Jump Start # 2214

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start #2214

Proverbs 27:23-24 “Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.”

 

These powerful words remind us of the great responsibility of leadership and care that God expects and even demands. Pay attention to your herds. Know well the condition of your flocks. For the shepherd in the hills of Judea, this was his livelihood and his income. This is why the expression, “riches are not forever,” follows these warnings. Do not assume your flock is ok. Just because other flocks are doing well does not mean yours is. Disease, poor nourishment, thirst can greatly impact animals. It shows by some being underweight. It shows by low birth rate. It shows by premature deaths. A sickly animal can quickly turn into a sickly flock.

 

Years ago, the spread of mad cow disease forced some ranchers to destroy whole herds of cattle. Diseased animals are worthless. You don’t want to breed them for fear of passing on the disease. You certainly do not want to eat them. And, for Israel, they could not offer the sick and diseased as sacrifice because they was a slap to the face of God.

 

There was a solution. It fell to the shepherd. Know well the condition and pay attention. There is no flying by autopilot here. It meant the shepherd had to be among the sheep. It meant the shepherd had to look carefully at the sheep. He had to watch as they ate and see if they were all eating. He’d notice if they were growing and if they producing thick, full wool. He have to examine each one. A cut, a scrap could lead to infection which could lead to serious problems. The fanciful image of a young shepherd boy laying on his back, with a piece of straw in his mouth, watching the clouds passing by, day dreaming, while the sheep were off in a distant grazing, is the stuff of movies. He was walking among them. He was watching for danger. He was the hands on veterinarian, protector, and animal nutritionist. He was not a goofy teenager who was lazy, clueless and bored. Such a shepherd would soon be out of business.

 

Know well the condition of your flock and pay attention to your herds:

 

Three simply applications:

 

Our families: Know well the condition and pay attention. We tend to do this well physically. A child says, “I don’t feel well,” and immediately a parent puts their wrist to the child’s forehead. Off to bed they go. They go to the medicine cabinet to get some medicine and if not better a phone call is made to the doctor. We do this with the child’s progress in school. It’s been a long while since my kids were in elementary school, but back then, the parents had to sign report cards and the child had to take them back to school. The parents saw the grades. The parents had planned meetings with the teacher. We were paying attention to their grades. We’d work with them on spelling words and math to help them.

 

But sometimes spiritually, we no longer really paid much attention. The kids were going to church services with mom and dad. They’d go to Bible classes. But we don’t have tests in church. We don’t have progress reports. We don’t have meetings between the parents and the teachers. Maybe we ought to. The kids sit through the same sermons we do. And, it is assumed that all is well. Is it? How are they doing spiritually? Do we allow the church to do most of the spiritual training for our children?

 

As that long ago shepherd walked through the flock, he’d see that the sheep do not all progress the same. While some may be doing fine, others may be showing signs of sickness or problems. He’d had to keep a special eye on those. Again, do we do that with the spiritual well being of our children? As they date, are we just happy that they have found someone, anyone, or is the spiritual direction of the person they are dating even considered. Do we know the friends of our kids? Who is influencing them?

 

Know well the condition of your flock…pay attention to the herd. That’s our role as parents. Getting them out of the house with a job and a marriage only to find them crashing spiritually is not good.

 

Our congregations: This ought to be a concern for all spiritual people but foremost to those who actually are called shepherds. A full house on Sunday doesn’t not indicate that all is well. Pay attention. Know well the condition. What’s bothering some of the sheep? What’s keeping some from growing? What spiritual diseases are looming. Much too often it is assumed all is fine until a problem arises. Feathers are ruffled. A few get upset. People start talking. And suddenly, some leave. A split or division has taken place. It has taken place right before the eyes of the shepherds. They didn’t see it coming. They assumed all was well, when it wasn’t. Gossip, finger pointing, hurt feelings, these are the symptoms of internal diseases that can ruin a flock. Are the people growing? How would you know that? How would you measure that? Are the people content and at peace? What signs would indicate that? What spiritual diseases are spreading among the flock? Would you recognize it if you saw it? Would you know what to do if you saw it?

 

Year after year, so easy to assume that all is well. Are the young people prepared to face college and the spiritual challenges that come with that? How are the young families doing? How are the widows doing? Different challenges. Different needs. Different concerns. Are the topics being offered for classes just what that flock needs?

 

Around my area, the farmers are harvesting corn. It’s that time of the year. Farmers have been doing that for a long time in this area. But the type of seed, the equipment that is used, the methods of farming have changed. They still put corn seed in the ground, but you’ll not see a farmer walking through a field, with a sack of corn seed slung over his back. He’ll be planting dozens of rows at a time. Nice, neat and spaced just perfectly. We still get corn from the field, but the means of farming is always changing. Now, when it comes to our congregations, we must still sow the seed of God’s word, but are we still using methods that are outdated and not connecting with people today? Know well the condition of your flock. Pay attention to your herd. Many elders throughout the land have made sure that the bills were paid on time and that the snow is removed from the parking lot in the winter, but as far as the welfare of the people, it’s assumed that all is well, when maybe it’s not. Time to get among the sheep. Time to look at each sheep individually. Time to make some adjustments to save some sheep. Out of the boardroom, and among the flock is God’s way of shepherding.

 

Finally, our own hearts: Know well the condition of your heart. Pay attention to your heart. We do this physically by eating healthy and exercising, but we forget about these things spiritually. We sit through a movie filled with profanity. We allow toxic people to ruin our day and our spirit. We run so fast that we do not feed our souls. As adults, when something hurts, we pay attention. If it doesn’t go away, we head to the doctor. How about spiritually? A bit discouraged? What do we do? A bit bothered? What should be done? Tempted. Tried. Tired. Weary. Distant. Are we growing? We ought to know. Are we becoming more like Jesus? We ought to know. Are we walking close to the Lord? We ought to know.

 

Know well the condition of your flock. Pay attention to your herd. Maybe if we did that more than other things, we’d be better off spiritually. Responsibility. Obligation. Duty.

 

Know well and pay attention—great words that can truly make a difference.

 

 

Roger

 

29

Jump Start # 2213

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2213

Mark 5:41 “And taking the child by the hand, He said to her, ‘Talitha kum!’ (which translated means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’)”

This morning I preach a funeral of a friend. He was a legend and a hero. His name won’t be mentioned on CNN or Fox News. Outside of our community many did not know him. But among the band of disciples in this area, he was a giant. A leader who spoke with kindness and gentleness and assurance. I enjoyed our time together.

Our verse comes to my mind today. I hope to use it today. Here, the Lord was hurrying to the home of Jairus, a synagogue official. His twelve year old girl was dying. That’s not normal. That’s not the way things are supposed to be. Twelve year olds are supposed to be playing outside. They are supposed to be learning how to bake and cook from their mothers. They are supposed to be full of dreams and hope and life. But for this twelve year old, her life was slipping away.

Her dad, Jairus, the synagogue official, approached Jesus and bowed before Him. He begged for Jesus to come to his home. This took place not in a back classroom, nor in a secluded place. But before a multitude. Mark says a “great” multitude. How difficult this must have been for Jairus. Synagogue officials had a track record of not liking Jesus. They often got angry with Jesus because he healed on the Sabbath in their synagogues. The pressure against Jesus was mounting from priests and synagogue officials.

But things were different. A little girl was dying. Not just any girl, it was Jairus’ daughter. Who cares what people think. Who cares what they might whisper. Who cares what is told back to the priests. His daughter was dying and he came before everyone and bowing before Jesus, he begged the Lord to come. He spoke words of faith. The cover was removed. He revealed himself. He showed all of his cards. He knew and he stated, if You will lay Your hands upon her, Jesus, she will get well. He believed that. He believed Jesus could do that. No one else could do this. The clock was ticking. The girl was dying. He was out of options and just about out of hope. His only hope was to bring Jesus. Boy, the neighbors will talk. His status may fall. He could even lose his job as an official. But at this moment, who cares. Save my daughter is all that he cares about.

After an encounter with the woman with an issue of blood and hearing her story, the report comes, the girl has died. Jesus took too long. It’s too late. The servants declared, “why bother the teacher any more?” There’s no need for Jesus now. He missed it. It’s too late. Even Jesus can’t do anything now. But Jesus comes. He runs everyone out of the house except for the mother, father and Peter, James and John.

This is where our verse comes. Jesus speaks and something wonderful happens.

Notice a few things:

First, Mark gives us the exact words of Jesus. They are “talitha kum.” Those are Aramaic words. The audience Mark is writing to knows Greek. With these words, Mark gives us the translation. The text states, “which translated means, Little girl, I say to you, arise.” It is interesting that two Aramaic words become seven Greek words. Translations are like that.

Second, the little girl heard Jesus. Everyone in that room heard Jesus, but what was most important was that the dead girl heard Jesus. His authority transcends his world and this life. He commands all of life, everywhere. He spoke and she heard.

Third, she obeyed. Jesus told her to arise. The next verse states, “Immediately, the girl got up…” She did exactly what Jesus told her to do. Jesus did this with Lazarus. He commanded, “Lazarus come forth,” and he did. How impressive that the wind obeys Jesus. The demons obey Jesus. Now, the dead obeys Jesus. She got right up. She got up and began to walk. It’s one thing if she had just opened her eyes. But whatever killed her, was removed. She had strength in her legs. She could walk. She seemed strong. She was recovered.

Fourth, I just wonder, between Jesus saying, “Little girl, get up,” and immediately she got up, if she opened her eyes and saw Jesus. She may not have know who Jesus was. Good chance they had never met. Her eyes opened, and there He was. Jesus was holding her hand, our verse tells us. Warmth, love, affection, and life—all there in the hands of Jesus. I like to think when we close our eyes to this world, that we open them and the first thing we see is Jesus. Jesus, the one we love. Jesus, the one we have obeyed. Jesus, the one we have trusted, talked to, and followed all of our life. We have remembered His death through the Lord’s Supper. We have sung songs to His name and glory. We end our prayers with His name. We have taught His word. We have believed Him. We belong to a band of followers called “Christ-ians,” those, that belong to Christ.

We close our eyes to this old world and we open them in the presence of Jesus. That’s a thought worth holding on to. That’s a thought that gets us through tough days. Jesus is there. Jesus is with us. Jesus cares.

Little girl, I say to you… what wonderful words.

Roger

26

Jump Start # 2212

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2212

2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am already being poured out as a drink-offering, and the time of my departure has come.”

Our verse today leads into those famous words of Paul where he says that he has fought the fight, kept the faith and finished the course. Those noble words are used to remind us to stay true until the very end. But it’s our verse today that I want to focus upon, especially, “the time of my departure has come.”

 

We understand departure times. That’s a common expression when on flies. Planes arrive and planes depart. Based upon the departure time, determines what time you have to get to the airport. The word for departure is the same word for “exit.” Paul was about to exit this place. He had another place to be and it wasn’t here.

 

Just a few thoughts:

 

First, Paul was realistic about his situation. He understood that he was about to be executed. He was going to die. He was soon to exit. He had a departure time. Too many do not realize what time it is for them. They have unrealistic optimism that everything is going to turn around and get better. Full of disease and out of options, some families just do not accept the fact that there looms a departure time. Paul knew it was soon. He was telling Timothy.

 

Second, we all have a departure time as well. Most of us do not know when it will be. Hebrews tells us that it is appointed unto man to die once and then the judgment. That divine appointment is the same as the time of our departure. We ought to make the most of each day, living with the understanding that we are moving closer to that divine date appointed for us. Now, we can live in fear or dread, or by faith realize that what awaits us is that heavenly home with the Lord. Work for the night is coming, is yet another expression that describes this divine appointment.

 

Third, our work here is completed when the departure time comes. There is no over time. There is no extra hours beyond the departure time. Some things are left undone because our departure time came. There has been unfinished books because the author died. Unfinished symphonies because the composer died. There is no coming back and finishing those things.

 

Fourth, even though we depart, we leave behind impressions, footprints, legacies, and examples. Paul is gone, but here we are today talking about his words. God has preserved these for us. In many ways we all leave behind memories and examples for others to follow.

 

I write these words this morning with such an impression deep upon my heart. I watched a good man depart yesterday. He was more than a friend. He was a kind, wise and benevolent believer who served the Lord with all that he was. He served God’s people as a shepherd until health would not allow that. He taught the Bible. He was a friend to all. A former teacher and principal, he had the hearts of others always before him. With his loving family gathered around him, knowing that the angels were present, he took his final breath and peacefully crossed beyond the doorway of death into the next room God has awaiting for us. The time of his departure came.

 

Death in the movies is so fake and dramatic. No final farewell speeches. No music playing. No sunshine bursting through the clouds. Just quietly, peacefully and gently, it ends. And, for believers we know that it doesn’t end. It doesn’t end by looking at a dead body. It doesn’t end with a funeral. It won’t end with a trip to the cemetery. In fact, there is no ending. It never ends. There is simply a shifting of rooms. A change of locations. There is a comfort in knowing that the believer is in the hands of God. There is a peace in knowing that the departed is feeling the best he has felt in years. Safely home. A life well lived.

 

The time of my departure, what interesting words. Some want to quit before it’s time. Some want to lay down and do no more before they should. Some have never done much their entire life. Not my friend. He devoted his life, his career and his heart to helping others. A friend to preachers, especially young preachers. A sharer of his blessings. A confident guide to those who walk with the Lord. He walked through life with a smile on his face. Medically, his heart was troubled, but spiritually, his heart was golden. Easy to talk to. Patient. Helpful. I sat through countless meetings and enjoyed listening to his insights and history. I expect had the Lord allowed him another decade here, he would have found ways to serve, help and encourage. That was simply within his spiritual DNA. But it was time. He had a departure time. To think that he was at services on Sunday, frail and weak, and on Thursday the angels were carrying his sweet soul to his appointed rest. He was more than a reader of our Jump Starts, he was a great supporter of them. One of the reasons we have continued on and one of the reason we have put so many themes to booklet form is because of the love and direction of this good man. He lived life well. His steps, his words, his thoughts were all chosen with the Lord in mind. Perfect he wasn’t. But saved by grace and enjoying his walk with the Lord, this man showed us the good side of life and of being a Christian. We tend to complain and see problems all too much. My friend had a special way of seeing the Lord. And, to think, now he’s with the Lord, never to leave again. Safely home, where he belongs and where he longed to be.

 

The time of my departure has come. I shall miss him and I shall never forget him. I only hope that when my departure date comes I will have left a trail of goodness behind me as he has. Every once in a while, not very often, your life intersects with a truly special believer. Their kind is rare. They are not loud. They are not about themselves. But gently and quietly they touch lives and make them better. They leave a path toward God. They have a special way of making you just want to be good. They have Christ dwelling within them. What an example. What a life lived with excellence. What faith. What hope. What joy. What love.

 

Thanks, Dave. You helped me be a better person. And, thank you Lord, for putting living examples before our eyes.

 

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 2211

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2211

2 Corinthians 10:10 “For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and his speech contemptible.”

 

I was talking with a preacher friend the other day about what I call the “performance of preaching.” Some preachers have a natural gift and knack at public speaking. They are so smooth, comfortable and they can capture an audience immediately. But it seems that sometimes we are more enthralled with the way a guy preachers than what he actually says. Style tends to win over substance. Some preachers have much depth and insight, but they don’t shine as much on the presentation aspect and as a result they are not popular, even though they have much we can learn from. And those with great presentations, often do not have much to say, but people flock to hear them. Substance and performance.

 

This is really nothing new to our times. Our verse today is a quote about how people viewed Paul’s preaching. His presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible. The ESV is more brutal: “his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is of no account.” Wow! Critical, cutting and hurtful. Those words were intended to hurt and I expect they may have. In contrast, the Bible describes Apollos as “an eloquent man,” “mighty in the Scriptures,” and, “fervent in the spirit” (Acts 18:24). And, to make matters worse for Paul, Apollos had preached at Corinth. It’s easy to see which one they would have liked the most. It’s easy to see who would have been their favorite. Eloquence tends to win over “no account.”

 

Every church wants to fill the pulpit with someone that is passionate and good. However, many a good preacher may be overlooked and passed on because his presentation isn’t as captivating as others. Performance vs. substance.

 

Here are a few thoughts:

 

First, all preachers need to continue to improve. They need to listen and watch other preachers. They need to read books about preaching. The man who does not try to get better soon becomes stale and stuck. Athletes are always trying to step it up in their game. The same ought to go for preachers. Not only should preachers listen to others, but they need to listen to themselves. We can come across as tired, cranky and out of touch if we are not careful. Look at the illustrations that you use. Are they dated? Look at what your sermon is trying to accomplish. You are trying to persuade people, not teach a college lecture. Don’t be a showoff nor try to impress people with your knowledge. Remember, God is in the audience.

 

Second, realize that preaching is an extension of one’s personality, experiences and knowledge. We are not going to be the same. And, more so, we are not in competition. We are on the same side. I love hearing men preach well. It makes me want to bring my A-game. We are all on this side of the kingdom doing the best that we can. When people hear my son Jordan preach, they teasingly say, “He’s better than you are.” I agree. No argument there. I’m glad and I want that. Two preachers can take the same text of Scripture and one will pull things out that most of us have never seen. The other will lay in so plainly on our front porch, that we can’t miss what it’s about. Different approaches. Different styles. Both very useful and helpful.

 

Many congregations are moving to a two preacher arrangement. Two men who preach each week. One in the morning and the other in the evening. Two different styles and often brought by two different generations of experience. Don’t compare one with the other. Don’t have your favorite and certainly do not stay home and skip services because my favorite isn’t preaching then. Support them both. You will learn from both. You will be helped by both.

 

Third, preacher egos can complicate things. The preacher has an ego. His work, his life is preaching. When someone says what was said to Paul, your preaching isn’t very good, it hurts. Tell mama, that the dinner she cooked isn’t very good and let’s go out to eat next time. Her feelings will be crushed. Tell some child that the stick figure picture that they drew for you is terrible and further, toss it in the trash, and the child will run the other way in tears. Tell your doctor that he’s a butcher and a quack and you’ll get an earful about the years it took to get him where he is at. Insensitive brethren who tend to be spiritual bullies, who like to run the church as if it is their place, have ruined many preachers by their thoughtless words. I remember years ago, standing beside a well known preacher who had preached for us that night. He was good. He’s one of my favorites and a dear friend. As people walked by, someone said, “I sure wish we could have preaching like that here all the time.” Yep. I was standing right there. I heard that. I started to think, maybe it’s time to pack my bags and hit the road. The preacher turned to me and in his kindness said, “they say the same thing every time we have a guest preacher back home.” With a wink and a pat on my back, he helped me.

 

Fourth, let’s be honest, the audience can be fickle. We love stories. But weeks later, the stories don’t do much for us. It’s the meat and bones of the Bible that builds our faith and helps us through the storms. When trouble comes, it’s not the stories that we turn to, but the word of God. What some may call stale and boring, others will say is incredible. Most preachers experience this every week. Someone will pass by and think the sermon was so-so. The next person will proclaim it’s one of the best sermons he’s heard in his entire life. They both heard the same sermon. How could that be? It’s more than the presentation, it’s hitting the needs of the person in the pew and where the person in the pew is at.

 

Those that excel so naturally at presentation must make sure they are saying something. Put some substance into your lessons. Those that have a way of finding great substance, work on improving your presentation.

 

The purpose of the sermon is to help me spiritually. It is to bring me to Christ. It is to help build that spiritual foundation. The sermon ought to answer questions, drive out fear and worry and challenge me to do more and do better. How we get there through the sermon is a work of art. Some slave long and hard at writing a sermon. Some can do it quickly and easily. Sermons are crafted like a writer putting together a story or a musician writing a song. There’s no one correct way to go about it other than opening up God’s word and thinking.

 

Our preachers are just one way God helps us on our journey. Thank them. Support them. Encourage them. And, realize we have different talents and abilities. And, be thankful that we are all on the same side, trying to win this battle against Satan.

 

Roger