INVITATION TO BIBLICAL PREACHING Dr. Don Sunukjian The Urban Ministry Institute of Los Angeles April 14, 2012 Introduction 1 The Bible comes alive when the message is: 1. 2. 3. 4. Step I Study the passage and gather your notes. A. Read the specific passage and the surrounding context in English. 1. From the surrounding context, determine the author s flow of thought. a. Suppose you are going to preach on James 1:5-8 or 1:19-20. If you fail to read the surrounding context, you might be tempted to preach a sermon on: i. James 1:5-8, inaccurately preached: ii. James 1:19-20, inaccurately preached: b. But, as you read the surrounding context, vss. 2, 12, and 13 will help you to understand the larger flow of thought in James 1:1-21: 1 For a fuller discussion of these Seminar concepts, along with other topics essential to preparing a clear and relevant message, see Invitation to Biblical Preaching: Proclaiming Truth with Clarity and Relevance, by Donald R. Sunukjian (Kregel, 2007).
c. Knowing this larger context helps you discern the specific, accurate meaning of James 1:5-8. d. This larger context, and the particular connections between vss. 18 and 21, help you discern the specific, accurate meaning of James 1:19-20. 2. Reflect on the specific passage, noting special questions or observations for further study. a. James 1:5-7 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Questions, observations for further study: b. I Corinthians 4:1-5 1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. Questions, observations for further study: 2
B. Consult good commentaries. Step II Outline the biblical passage. A. Your outline will progress through three stages as it moves toward its final sermon form. 1. The PASSAGE outline the biblical author s original flow of ideas. This happened. 2. The TRUTH outline universal statements. This happens. 3. The SERMON outline for your contemporary audience. This is happening. B. Diagram C. See the examples of Matthew 14:13-21 and Exodus 13:17-22 on the following pages. 3
MATTHEW 14:13-21 Passage Outline I. Jesus tells the disciples to feed a large crowd (14:13-16). II. The disciples argue that they are unable to do it (14:17). III. Jesus commands them to bring whatever food they have to him, and he makes it sufficient for them to do what he has asked (14:18-21). A. Jesus commands them to bring whatever food they have to him (14:18). B. He multiplies the food and gives it back to the disciples (14:19a). C. The disciples find that they had more than enough food to do what Jesus asked (14:19b-21). Truth Outline I. Sometimes God asks us to do what seems like an impossible task. II. We feel like we do not have the abilities or resources to do it. III. God wants us to bring whatever we have to Him, and He will make it sufficient for what He has asked us to do. Sermon Outline Introduction 1. Sometimes God asks us to do what seems like an impossible task. a. Example b. Example 2. We feel like we do not have the abilities or resources to do it. 3. How can we do the seemingly impossible task that God has given us? 4. Let s look at a time when Jesus gave the disciples a seemingly impossible task, and see how they were able to do it. Please turn to Matt.14:13-21. I. Jesus gives the disciples the seemingly impossible task of feeding over 15,000. II. The disciples object that they do not have the resources to do this. III. The way to do the seemingly impossible tasks God gives us is to bring whatever resources we have to Him, and let Him make them sufficient for the task. A. The disciples bring what food they have, and Jesus makes it sufficient. B. We are to offer God whatever abilities or resources we have, and God will make them more than sufficient for what He has asked us to do. 4
EXODUS 13:17-22 Passage Outline I. God purposefully takes Israel from Goshen to Canaan by an indirect route (13:17-18). A. When Pharaoh let the people go, they gather in Goshen where they have been slaves for 400 years. B. From Goshen, Israel could reach the Promised Land in 8-10 days by means of a direct trade route that went from Goshen through Philistia. C. But instead of taking them on this direct route, God purposefully leads them in the opposite direction, toward the Red Sea. II. The reason for God s indirect leading is that Israel would encounter war on the straight-line path and would thus never reach their destination (13:17). A. The war might be from Egyptian defenses along the trade route or from the Philistines as they went through their territory B. God knows that his people, facing war without military skills or national identity, would return to Egypt instead of continuing to Canaan. C. God knows he must first take his people into the desert to convince them of his faithfulness (Exod. 16) and commitment (Exod. 19-20) before taking them to Canaan. III. As Israel embarks on this uncharted journey into the desert in the opposite direction, God strengthens and encourages them in two ways. A. Joseph s coffin is a visible reminder that they will eventually arrive in Canaan (13:19). 1. Years earlier Joseph made Israel promise they would take his bones to Canaan when they left Egypt (Gen. 50:24-26). 2. The coffin is a visible sign that God will eventually place them in his Promised Land. B. The column of cloud is a symbol of God s constant presence (13:20-22). 1. Through this cloud, God leads them on the journey. 2. Through this cloud, God protects them from the Egyptians (Exod. 14:19-20) and the burning sun (Psalm 105:39). 3. Through this cloud, God speaks to them (Exod. 19:16-19). Truth Outline I. God sometimes deliberately leads his people on a zigzag route to the good thing he has promised them. II. The reason for this zigzag route is because there is some obstacle on the straight-line path that would keep us from reaching the goal. III. Along this indirect zigzag path, God continues to encourage us in two ways. A. He gives us a visible reminder of his good intentions. B. He gives us a tangible sense of his presence. 5
Sermon Outline Introduction 1. Early in geometry we learned, The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. 2. That may be true in geometry, but as you and I consider what God is doing in our lives, we wonder if God doesn t think, The shortest distance between two points is a zigzag. 3. That is, we find ourselves at Point A, convinced that God intends to take us to Point B. We can visualize a short, straight-line path between these two points. But if God is really taking us to Point B, he must be on a zigzag path. a. Example b. Example c. Example 4. Today, I want you to see that sometimes with God the shortest distance between two points is a zigzag. 5. I want you to see (1) that sometimes God deliberately takes us on a zigzag path. I want you to see (2) why he does this. And I want you to see (3) the good encouragement he gives us along the way. I. In order to see that God sometimes deliberately leads us on a zigzag path, we ll look at a time in Israel s history when God deliberately takes them on a zigzag path. A. Israel is at Point A, Goshen; their destiny is Point B, Canaan. B. The shortest distance between Point A and Point B is a straight-line route along the Mediterranean coast and through the Philistine territory. C. But we read in Exodus 13:17-18 that God does not lead them on this direct route, but instead takes them in the opposite direction. II. The reason God takes us on a zigzag is because there is something in the straight-line path that would prevent us from ever reaching our destination. A. God knows that if he takes the Israelites on the direct route, they will never make it (explain the war in vs. 18). B. God knows there is something in our straight-line path that would prevent us from safely arriving at his intended destination (return to the examples above, and apply this concept to them). III. Because we might become dismayed in the midst of the zigs and the zags, God encourages us in two ways. A. God gives us continual reminders of his good intentions. 1. As Israel embarks on an uncharted route, God uses a coffin to remind them of their ultimate destination (explain vs. 19). 2. In the midst of our zigs and zags, God will find some way to remind us of his good intentions (return to the examples above). B. God gives us a palpable sense of his presence. 1. As Israel embarks on an uncharted path, a pillar of cloud and fire appears, which guides and protects them (explain vss. 20-22). 2. In the midst of our zigs and zags, we will experience the guidance, protection and nearness of our God. 6
Step III State the Take-Home Truth of the whole message in a single sentence. A. Everything in the message must lead toward a single idea or truth, a timeless sentence which gives the sermon in a nutshell. B. The listener looks for some overall unity to the message. C. Unconnected truths or ideas will leave the listener spiritually confused. 1. An example of unrelated ideas and fragments: 2. The passage: 3. The succinct Take-Home Truth: D. To determine the Take-Home Truth, look at your Truth Outline and ask: What is the largest question this passage is answering? What is the answer it is giving to that question? 7
D. Examples: 1. Matthew 14:13-21 (p. 4) 2. Exodus 13:17-22 (p. 5) 3. Exodus 20:12 (p. 14) 4. II Chronicles 28-29 (p. 15) Step IV Determine how the concepts of the passage are relevant to your listeners. A. The goal of our preaching is not knowledge, but godly behavior. 1. Abraham, leaving Ur of the Chaldees a. Knowledge b. Relevance, godly behavior 2. I Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 3. II Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 4. The speaker must make the application; the listener usually doesn t make it himself. 8
B. Relevancy occurs when the listener sees how the message applies to a specific situation in his life. C. Consider how the passage/truth connects to you personally. Ask, Where have I faced this? Where do I face it? Where might I face it. Note that the tense is not critical, only the realistic picture of a concrete situation. D. To be relevant, think through how the truth might show up in the situations and lives of various kinds of people in your audience. 1. A man s work 2. Their dwelling situations 3. The different ages of marriage 4. Situations of failure 5. Situations of persecution 9
E. Give examples or situations which apply the biblical concept, not simply ones which explain it. To apply, ask, How does it show up in our lives. 1. Explains from some other area outside our lives. a. Courage b. Search the scriptures Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11). c. The love of money can be your downfall. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (I Tim. 6:9-10). i. Illustrates: Yusef the Terrible Turk ii. Applies: 2. Applies from the exact area in our lives that the biblical author is talking about Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted (Gal. 6:1). 10
Step V Develop an Introduction which engages interest and provides a focus for the message. A. The flow through the Introduction is as follows: Paragraphs to create need and engage interest The question to be answered, or the Take-Home Truth to be developed Any preliminary background they need to have in order to orient themselves to the passage The preview of the sermon structure The chapter and verse you want them to turn to B. Examples: 1. See the outline of Matthew 14:13-21 on page 4. 2. See the outline of Exodus 13:17-22 on page 6. 3. On page 14, Honor Your Father and Mother, the Introduction states the Take-Home Truth to be developed, and gives a preview. 4. On page 15, How to Gain Spiritual Renewal, the Introduction raises the question to be answered, and gives a preview. It s also possible to structure the flow so that Point I is treated as background in the Introduction. C. After announcing the chapter and verse, give the listeners time to find their place in the Bible before you continue with the message. 11
Step VI Think through the message so as to make it orally clear. A. Important sentences need to be restated or rephrased immediately say the same thing in different words. 1. Examples: a. Matthew 14:13-21 (p. 4) b. Exodus 13:17-22 (p. 6) c. Exodus 20:12 (p. 14) d. II Chronicles 28-29 (p. 15) 2. Try: God will not put you in any situation that is more than you can handle (I Cor. 10:13). B. A major point may be brought up through a question if its subpoints are a list. But if the subpoints are a sequence or story, then the major point must begin with an assertion. 1. Examples of a sequence that must begin with an assertion: a. Example b. Example 2. Examples of a list brought up by a question: a. Page 14, point II b. Page 15, point II 12
C. Use the same key language/words/phrasings of the Introduction throughout the rest of the message, so that the listener can audibly connect the unfolding progression of thought. 1. Matthew 14:13-21 (p. 4). 2. Exodus 13:17-22 (p. 6) D. During the course of a message, when you come to some verses that you intend to read, state and restate: the point of the verses before you read them. (Be like the TV news-anchor setting up a report from the field.) E. Use physical movements to mark off major units or concepts in the message. 1. Examples: 2. All time-lines, lists, numbers, progressions, etc., should move toward the speaker s left. 3. Draw all maps from the standpoint of the listener. Stage VII Deliver the message with animation, energy, and eye-contact. A. Pantomimes/charades reveal the following: 1. 2. 3. B. There are no communication advantages to standing behind a box. C. If possible, invest in a clip-on microphone to allow mobility. D. Sometimes it is helpful to rehearse the message in front of a mirror. E. Hints for delivery: 13
HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER Introduction 1. This morning I want to talk about the 5 th Commandment (Exod. 20:12). 2. Some of you are thinking, Oh good, I hope the children are listening. Yet this commandment is not primarily addressed to children, but to adults. 3. In general, to honor means to hold in high regard. But this general meaning shows itself in specific ways depending on the age of our parents. 4. When our parents are aged, to honor means to support financially (Central Truth). 5. Today I would like to look at a couple of scriptures which teach that we honor our parents by assisting their financial needs, and then I would like to suggest some tangible steps that will help us put this into practice. I. The Scriptures teach that we are to honor our parents in their latter years by making sure they are taken care of financially. A. Supporting our parents comes ahead of pledges to the Lord s work (Matthew 15:1-6). B. Supporting our parents reveals, more than anything else, our own genuine godliness (I Timothy 5:3-8). II. There are three specific actions that will enable us to follow through on this command. A. Agree with your spouse that taking care of your parents will come ahead of any other expenditure. B. Tell your parents of your commitment. C. Increase your current giving to the Lord to a level where hundreds of dollars each month could be transferred to your parents without changing your family s economics or lifestyle. 14
HOW TO GAIN SPIRITUAL RENEWAL II Chronicles 28-29 Introduction 1. We all struggle with low times in our spiritual lives. a. Example b. Example 2. These low times can harm us, our families, and our ministries. 3. Our question is, How can we get out of these low times and back into fellowship with God? How can we gain spiritual renewal? 4. Today we re going to look at a time in Israel s history when they are in a low time and being harmed by it, and see how they gained spiritual renewal. 5. Please turn to II Chronicles 28. I. Israel is experiencing the harmful consequences of disobedience. A. King Ahaz had led the nation in idolatrous worship (II Chron. 28:3-4). B. As a result, God has allowed other nations to punish Israel. II. In such low times, it is possible to gain spiritual renewal. A. Spiritual renewal starts with consecration (II Chron. 29:1-24). 1. Through Hezekiah, Israel... 2. We gain... B. Spiritual renewal becomes complete with worship (II Chron. 29:25-36). 1. Through corporate worship a. Israel b. Us 2. Through individual worship a. Israel b. Us 15