Weak Preaching
The Demise of a Congregation (pt. 4)
2002004
Subject: preaching;
Introduction:
A.
Preaching is the
key to the health/well being of the local church.
1.
congregation =
frail; sickly; showing signs of an early demise – it is usually because a
congregation is malnourished and underfed spiritually!
2.
Weak preaching
produces weak churches.
B.
The opposite is
true! Strong preaching produces
strong & vibrant churches.
C.
Understand that
many in society rank preachers pretty low. Used car salesman??? That’s OK.
1.
Honor to preach
– yet humbling.
2.
Preacher should
not preach to please men – but work in every way possible to please God!
a)
those in sin will
not always like to hear their fate – but that is the way it is.
b)
1 Tim. 1:8-11
D.
Preaching is
hard.
1.
May appear easy. Only work 4 hours a week.
a)
but yet, must
spend time preparing lessons that will perk interest of those who listen.
b)
To preach the
word in an exciting & challenging way is not always easy! But it must be done!
2.
Preachers must
guard against making God’s word appear boring.
3.
JP Miller: Bore
them with science; bore them with history; bore them with mathematics; but
don’t bore them with God’s word!
4.
It can be a
challenge to concentrate in putting together lessons!
a)
not always easy
to remain fresh & motivated!
b)
Hard. Remember…always lots of vacancies for
preaching positions.
5.
Preachers must
also remember they do not always have all the answers. A spirit of humility is a must!
E. Let’s take a moment to look at 4
elements of strong preaching.
I. Strong
Preaching is Preaching That Loves People!
A. Mt. 9:36; 15:32 – what is the key
word here? Compassion.
1.
Jesus loved
people.
2.
This set him
apart from the other proclaimers of his day.
a)
Mt. 23:5-12
– it was all about them; their position before the people; and their
power. Looked down on those around
them.
3.
Contrast that to
people’s reaction to teaching of Jesus – Mk. 12:37b.
a)
He loved
them. They could sense that!
B.
Preachers today
must preach like Jesus!
1.
They must speak
not only to a person’s mind – but to the heart!
2.
This means
preaching must come from the heart!
II. Strong preaching involves preaching with passion!
A.
Must preach with
passion/power & w/heart & soul!
B.
Must not degenerate
into intellectual boredom.
1.
Presentation of
facts w/o illustration or application…
2.
Then call for a
decision.
3.
This is NOT
gospel preaching!
C.
Dee Bowman: Gospel preaching will “storm the will.”
1.
Preaching must be
done with intensity. Strong
emotion; exhorting audiences to “be saved from this perverse generation!”
a)
There’s no room
for classroom lectures!
2
Offer invitation
with a pleading; passion; power.
3
Strong preaching
will revitalize the life of a congregation!
III. Strong preaching is balanced preaching!
A.
Must serve well
balanced feasts. What if your wife
constantly served the same thing for supper?
B.
Preach topical
lessons as well as textual!
C.
Timing is
critical!
D.
This is why 2
Tim. 4:1-2 is important!
IV. Strong preaching is convicted preaching.
A.
Any doubt in 2
Tim. 1:12?
B.
Congregations
need convincing lessons on the mission of God’s church; holy/reverent worship;
heaven’s plan of salvation.
1.
Need to be
scriptural & need to be preached with enthusiasm!
2.
People today as
well as people of all times have needed challenging moral truths communicated
forcefully & clearly!
C.
Is there any
doubt in passages such as:
1.
1 Cor. 6:9-11;
Heb. 10:24-25; Gal. 5:19-20?
2.
We must not bow
to the PC of the day!
3.
Anyone not
interested in hearing strong preaching on doctrinal and moral issues isn’t a
prospect anyway!
Conclusion:
A.
Your preacher is
committed to strong preaching.
1.
Welcome your
topic suggestions!
B.
Let’s work
together to make sure the demise of this congregation does not come about.
C.
I N V I T A T I O
N