The Sermon: How do you do that?

1. The Sermon: How do you do that? Spring 2008 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church David R. Clark Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

2. Table of Contents Introduction: Sermons Today Lesson 1: The mechanics of a sermon Lesson 2: A sermon study Lesson 3: Study the Scriptures Lesson 4: Look for the emphasis Lesson 5: Develop the Outline Lesson 6: Write the sermon Lesson 7: Finalize the sermon Recap: Review Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

3. Sermons today Introduction April 6, 2008 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

4. Apology of the Augsburg Confession And if we must speak of the outward appearance, attendance upon church is better among us than among the adversaries. For the audiences are held by useful and clear sermons. But neither the people nor the teachers have ever understood the doctrine of the adversaries. [There is nothing that so attaches people to the church as good preaching. But our adversaries preach their people out of the churches; for they teach nothing of the necessary parts of Christian doctrine; they narrate the legends of saints and other fables.] Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

5. Your opinion…. What makes a good sermon? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

6. Is the sermon outmoded in today’s world? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

7. According to Barna Research Group People “want substance from their church. … They need to feel connected to God...”   Sure some will look at the style of worship and the type of music, but in the end, these rate much lower on people’s list to a message that has meaning and relevancy to their lives today. Interestingly enough… those polled rated “beliefs and doctrines” as the number one thing they look for in a church and the third item was “quality sermons.”   Bottom line, make them leave with the knowledge and feeling that they have found in your “store” the “pearl of great price (Mt 13:46).” Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

8. Beauty of the sanctuary, quality of Christian Education Friendliness Overall experience Quality of sermons Music during worship Sense of God’s presence 10% 61% 49% 65 % 24% 30% Why people come to church a 2nd time Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

9. Quality of sermons Friendliness Overall experience Sense of God’s presence Music during worship Beauty of the sanctuary, quality of Christian Education 65 % 61% 49% 30% 24% 10% Why people come to church a 2nd time Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

10. The Scriptures say… • 1 Timothy 4:13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. • Acts 6:4give (y)our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. • 2 Timothy 2:15-17Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, • 2 Timothy 4:2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

11. Martin Luther “Yes, I hear the sermon; but who is speaking? The minister? No indeed! You do not hear the minister. True, the voice is his; but my God is speaking the Word which he preaches or speaks. Therefore I should honor the Word of God that I may become a good pupil of the Word.” What Luther Says, III, p. 1125 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

12. Place of a sermon “All the tasks God calls a minister to perform as preacher, teacher, pastor, evangelist, administrator are important. But one is primary. That is the preparation and delivery of the sermon. If the sermon is properly prepared and effectively delivered, it plays a more influential role in the lives of God’s people than anything else a pastor does… Preaching is the pastor’s primary task.” Preach the Gospel, p. 2 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

13. Discussion • Agree or Disagree. Sermon preparation should be the primary use of a pastor’s time. • Discuss: People, in general, are more concerned with what a pastor says, rather than how he says it. • Agree or Disagree. “There is nothing that so attaches people to the church as good preaching.” • Agree or Disagree. There is a place for a pastor to express his own personal opinion in the sermon. • Agree or Disagree. The most important qualification my pastor can have is to be an engaging speaker. • How can we be sure to give our pastor enough time to properly prepare? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

14. The mechanics of a sermon Lesson 1 April 27, 2008 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

15. What makes a sermon in our church unique from some other churches? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

16. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

17. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

18. Some sermon styles • Deductive-Begins with the known, show the listener how you got to that point. • Inductive-Begins with the unknown, takes the listener on the journey to the known. • Narrative-tells a story to explain and apply the text. • Powerpoint-can be inductive, deductive, or narrative, Show and Tell! Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

19. What must each sermon include? • A Scripture text, “This is what the Lord says.” • Proper use and balance of law and gospel • Proper use and balance of justification and sanctification • Logical sequence • Examples, illustrations • Application to listeners Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

20. Two main purposes • To lead sinners to Jesus. • To edify those who already confess him as Savior and Lord. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

21. One way to prepare a sermon • Read the text and brainstorm. • Look at the other texts for that day. • Study the scriptures. • Look for major and minor emphases. • Develop basic and expanded outlines. • Write out the sermon. • Finalize the sermon. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

22. What is the strength/weakness of… • Deductive sermons? • Inductive sermons? • Narrative sermons? • Powerpoint sermons? How much variety should there be? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

23. About what do the following passages teach or warn us in this whole matter of preaching? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

24. 1 Corinthians 1:17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. Exodus 4:10Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Jeremiah 1:6-7“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Romans 16:18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 2 Corinthians 10:10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 2 Corinthians 11:6I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

25. Sermon Study for June 1, 2008 Lesson 2 May 4, 2008 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

26. What is a pericope? • (Greek περικοπή, "a cutting-out") in rhetoric is a set of verses which form one coherent unit or thought, thus forming a short passage suitable for public reading from a text, now usually of sacred scripture. • Lectionaries are normally made up of pericopes containing the Epistle and Gospel readings for the liturgical year. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

27. What is our pericope? • Historic pericope (CW, p. 166) • ILCW = Inter Lutheran Commission on Worship • A, Matthew, (CW p. 163) • B, Mark, (CW p. 164) • C, Luke, (CW p. 165) • WELS version • Season of End times • Newer additions Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

28. Pentecost 3, a • First Reading: (Hosea 5:15-6:6) Exodus 3:1-15 • Second reading: (Romans 4:18-25) 1 Timothy 1:12-17 • Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:9-13 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

29. Create a theme for the day Christ Jesus came to save me, a sinner Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

30. Reread 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Jot down some initial thoughts Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

31. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

32. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

33. Initial thoughts • Jesus considered Paul faithful… Paul didn’t necessarily think that of himself. • What is the modern day equivalent of a blasphemer, persecutor, violent man? (note what Pharisees said about Matthew in Gospel lesson). • Is ignorance an excuse? • Pure grace of God shown to Paul (cf. his call in Acts 9) Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

34. More initial thoughts • What is a “trustworthy saying?” • What is “full acceptance?” • Note why Paul says Christ called him – to prove his unlimited patience. • Are we examples of God’s unlimited patience? • Why the doxology? • Why did Paul write these things to Timothy? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

35. Class initial thoughts • Note the contrast of what Paul has done vs. what God has done. • This is God’s work not Paul’s work. • Jesus’ blood covers all our sins • He was “shown mercy.” • The worst of men was picked as an example. • His sin was not done “on purpose.” • “thank Jesus”… it’s all done for me. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

36. Class initial thoughts cont. • I am the beneficiary of God’s grace. • “trustworthy” is used many times and shows there needs to be no doubt. • Mercy has no end. • Paul’s life shows the unlimited patience of God. • Talks about “the only God.” Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

37. Study the Scriptures 1 Timothy 1:12-17 May 11, 2008 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

38. Background of 1 Timothy Paul writes to his young associate that, in his labors in the church militant, he is to fight the good fightof the faith. Timothy will do this by opposing false doctrines that cause people to suffer shipwreck in their faith. He will do this by instructing people how they are to conduct themselves in God’s household, how Christians will live, labor, and worship together in the church. The ultimate purpose: “You will save both yourself and your hearers” (4:16). “Fight the good fight of the faith.” Who will say that every pastor and teacher does not need this call to arms? Who will say that every member does not need to join in the good fight of faith that is incumbent on the embattled church in this world? May the encouragement given to Timothy serve the same purpose in the church today. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

39. 1 Timothy 1:12 Χάριν ἔχω τῷ ἐνδυναμώσαντί με Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν, ὅτι πιστόν με ἡγήσατο θέμενος εἰς διακονίαν • Χάριν : grace, kindness | noun, feminine, singular, accusative • ἔχω : to have, hold | verb, first person, singular, present, active, indicative • ἐνδυναμώσαντί : to empower | verb, aorist, active, participle, masculine, singular, dative, further info • Χριστῷ: the Anointed one, the Christ | noun, masculine, singular, dative • Ἰησοῦ: Jesus or Joshua, |noun, masculine, singular, dative • κυρίῳ: lord, master | noun, masculine, singular, dative • ἡγήσατο: to lead, suppose | verb, third person, singular, aorist, middle, indicative further info • θέμενος: to place, lay, set | verb, aorist, middle, participle, masculine, singular, nominative • διακονίαν: service, ministry | noun, feminine, singular, accusative Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

40. 1 Timothy 1:12 • ἐνδυναμώσαντί - 1904 ἐνδυναμόομαι (endynamoomai), ἐνδυναμόω (endynamoō): vb.; 1. LN 74.6 cause to be able, give strength, strengthen (Ac 9:22; Ro 4:20; Php 4:13; 1Ti 1:12; 2Ti 4:17+); 2. LN 74.7 (dep.) become able, be strong (Eph 6:10; 2Ti 2:1+) • ἡγήσατο - 2451 ἡγέομαι (hēgeomai): vb.; 1. LN 31.1 be of an opinion, consider, think, regard (Ac 26:2; Php 2:3); 2. LN 36.1 guide, lead, rule (Lk 22:26); 3. LN 37.58 govern, implying direction and leadership (Ac 7:10) Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

41. 1 Timothy 1:12 (cont.) As Paul remembers the “glorious gospel” entrusted to him, he must express the ongoing thanksgiving that lives in his heart: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord.” He is expressing thankfulness to the one through whom the richness of God’s mercy revealed itself in a visible, compelling manner. The Lord Jesus had given Paul all the strength and ability that became so evident in his ministry. With Paul every Christian, whether pastor, teacher, or layperson, will acknowledge the Lord Jesus and say, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Our competence for the ministry comes from him who is the true God (2 Corinthians 3:4–6). What causes Paul’s thankfulness toward Christ Jesus is “that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” By entrusting him with the gospel, God had considered Paul as someone who would faithfully carry out such a trust. Yet that was not Paul’s doing. He recognized himself as “one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy” (1 Corinthians 7:25). In the next verse Paul will say why this amazes him. First, he again speaks of this entrusting on the part of God that involved “appointing me to his service.” Service, ministry in Christ’s church, comes by appointment, that is, through a call that the Lord himself extends. On the way to Damascus, the Lord said to Saul, the persecutor, “I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you” (Acts 26:16). Today also, whoever serves in the public ministry has been given a trust from the Lord, called by him through the church into his service. Let God’s servants not fail to be amazed at this trust and to be inspired to thanks and faithfulness. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

42. 1 Timothy 1:12 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. • Paul points Timothy to the source of his help and strength for the work at Ephesus. Paul’s sufficiency did not come from himself but from God. • Paul was thanking Christ for having considered him to be faithful in spite of his shortcomings. If Jesus considered him steadfast and reliable enough to appoint him to his service, Paul was ready to serve. • Timothy too had been appointed to his position in the church. For it is Christ who “gave … some to be pastors” (Eph 4:11). It was the Holy Spirit who had made them overseers of the flock. And he would provide the strength to carry out the work. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

43. 1 Timothy 1:13 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. • So that Timothy would not be intimidated by the imposing figure of his teacher, Paul points him to God’s grace in a very personal way. He had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man. In his early days, Paul had zealously hunted Christians and violently opposed the gospel (Ac 9). That made him a most unlikely candidate for the job of apostle. • Yet he had been shown mercy by the Savior. He was chosen, converted on the road to Damascus and appointed as apostle to the Gentiles (Ac 9:15). While magnifying the grace of the Savior in choosing him, the apostle also brings himself down to size for the sake of his student. • Paul’s words, “I acted in ignorance and unbelief,” may trouble us unless we realize that Paul is not making excuses. He is merely including himself among those to whom the Savior referred from the cross when he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

44. 1 Timothy 1:13 questions • What is the modern day equivalent of a blasphemer, persecutor, violent man? (note what Pharisees said about Matthew in the Gospel lesson.) • Blasphemer = • Persecutor = • Violent man = • Is ignorance an excuse? • Paul had not acted against better knowledge. He was convinced of what he was doing. He had followed his conscience, misguided though it was, through ignorance and unbelief. That did not excuse what he had done. That did not make his actions any less wicked or his words any less blasphemous, but the Lord showed mercy on him in his ignorance and gave him enlightenment. • Compare this ignorance with Hebrews 10:26-31, Hebrews 6:4-6 Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

45. 1 Timothy 1:14 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. • Paul deserves the opposite, but the Savior loves him and forgives him. The word he uses to describe the degree to which he has been shown grace ὑπερεπλεόνασεν describes the grace, mercy and love of the Savior. It was used of a vessel that had been filled and was running over. • This grace of God imparted faith to believe in the Savior. The grace was motivated by the ἀγάπη, selfless love, of the Savior. But with faith, grace also imparted love in rich measure to Paul, so that he might pass it on to those whom he touched with the gospel of forgiveness. • Thus Paul was made a reliable witness to the love of the Savior. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

46. 1 Timothy 1:14 questions • Pure grace of God shown to Paul. • Read Acts 9. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

47. 1 Timothy 1:15 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. • Sinners = pertaining to sinful behavior—‘sinful, sinning.’ ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ ‘in this unfaithful and sinful generation • Paul cites his own example as evidence of the Savior’s power to accomplish his goal. He refers to himself elsewhere as “the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle” (1 Co 15:9), and as “less than the least of all God’s people” (Eph 3:8). His early days of persecuting activity had been forgiven, but Paul could never forget them. They instilled a feeling of abject humility in him. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

48. 1 Timothy 1:15 questions • What is “a trustworthy saying?” • If Paul was considered a reliable witness, he also had a reliable message (πιστὸς ὁ λόγος) to proclaim, namely, that Christ Jesus had come into the world to save sinners. Apparently by this time the Savior’s statement (Mt 9:13) had already become well known and highly cherished in the church, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” It had been memorized by many and repeated many times. • What is “full acceptance?” • to come to believe something to be true and to respond accordingly, with some emphasis upon the source. Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

49. 1 Timothy 1:16 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. • Paul also perceived the wisdom of the Savior’s ways in converting him. If Paul, the chief of sinners, can be saved, then the Lord can save anyone and will save everyone who believes on him. • Paul was the best example, not only of grace, but also of the unlimited patience of the Savior. Who could hesitate to flee to God for mercy if God had the patience to forgive Paul and make him one of his apostles? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church

50. 1 Timothy 1:16 questions • Note why Paul says Christ called him – to prove his unlimited patience. • Patience = a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.’ ‘but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises’ He 6.12; ‘fellow believers, take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience’ or ‘ … patience in the face of suffering’ Jas 5.10. • Are we examples of God’s unlimited patience? Grace Ev. Lutheran Church