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TOPICS FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T PREACH THE BIBLE

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PREACHING TOPICS THAT DEFY RIGHT DIVISION

By Ken Blue

Many pastors are searching for sermon topics to preach. Since some completely ignore the dispensation they are in, or they are ignorant of it, we will supply a few topics for them. These subjects will not help your people understand right divisions, but they will give them spiritual discernment of other.

  1. Preach against women wearing anything resembling pants. It is easy to make the Bible teach anything you want; so pay no attention to where the text comes from. Just grab some verses and run with them.
  2. Preach against men with long hair. Just don’t let your congregation know that many of the songs they sing, and the writers you quote had long hair. If you don’t know that, it just shows how ignorant you are of the subject and text. If you need PROOF, read the chapter on long hair in my book, Standards and The Standard.
  3. Preach against men wearing tight jeans that expose their privates. That will be novel and win you lots of friends.
  4. Preach against television. You must be up to date on all the Hollywood actors and actresses, and it is your duty to warn your members about what they should not be watching.
  5. Preach against all music except what you like. Everyone will conclude that you know what music God approves.
  6. Preach against Powerpoint and multimedia in church. You don’t want people to think your church is a movie theater.
  7. Preach against eating in church. You don’t want people to think you have turned your church into a restaurant, do you?
  8. Preach against blacks. We all know that Ham was cursed, and we don’t want cursed people, of another race, (Hamites) in our churches.
  9. Preach against background music. God couldn’t be in it. Just don’t forget to sell your sermons and songs on CD after the service. That’s different.
  10. Preach against political leaders, that’s what Paul tells you to do. (Romans 13; I Timothy 2.)
  11. Preach against those not in the Baptist Bride; all others are in harlot churches. Just don’t let your members know they are singing songs written by those in harlot churches, and that most of your books are by non-briders.
  12. Preach that those you don’t agree with are of the devil, are antichrist, immoral, and approve homosexuality. Surely this will turn people against them, and endear your listeners to you.
  13. Preach that those who believe soul winning, discipleship, and service for Christ are shallow and have selfish motives. Pastors should be whipping the same hobbyhorse you are riding.

These ought to be enough to get one started. Once you get the hang of it, the rest will come naturally. If you need additional help on other such subjects, you can always find newsletters and websites to assist you.

THE WATER BOTTLE

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water bottle
By Ken Blue

It is human to adopt the actions and habits of others; especially when we hold these people in admiration. Not that these practices are wrong, but they are amusing to say the least. Dr. Jack Hyles was plagued with a constant cough when he preached. Preacher boys who followed him unconsciously adopted the same cough. Dr. Tom Malone walked with drooped shoulders. Some saw this as a mark of humility, and his followers added it to their posture. Thus there were many young preachers with stooped shoulders and a nagging cough. Most of us remember the breath fresheners of the Binaca era.

Not a few young men have imitated pastors and evangelist in the manner in which they hold their Bible in public. Some stand with it over their heart. Others roll its pages while holding it in one hand and gesturing with the other. They walked across the stage with an open Bible as they preached the Word.

Lately, however, a new prop has been added to the pulpit arsenal. This new device is the plastic water bottle. We acknowledge that there are times when the speaker has a dry throat and a drink is justified. But, the need to carry a water bottle while preaching may be more of a yuppie symbol and a need for security than for a drink. Why not carry it in a Styrofoam cup?

It is just my opinion, but carrying a water bottle while preaching is a poor habit to adopt and it is poor pulpit manners. It might serve the cause of Christ better to parade across the platform with an open Bible instead of an open bottle. (I am aware that I may not have any bridges left to burn, but should I be invited to preach, just for the record, I prefer Sprite.)

FLUFF IS NOT ENOUGH

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FLUFF DOES NOT EDIFY

FLUFFBy Ken Blue

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Titus 1:9.

The man who knows the least, usually, talks the most and the loudest. This is a cover-up for his insecurity and lack of knowledge about biblical truth. The preacher who quips is generally ill equipped for ministry.

The pastoral epistles resound with the need for pure motives and pure doctrine. The idea of “holding fast the faithful Word” is not instruction on how to grasp or hold the Bible. Many, who hold the Book in their hands, do not hold it fast in their heart. It means, you must know what you have been taught and who taught you. It is important that the preacher have a strategic grasp of the Book; but it is imperative that the Book have its grasp on him.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The pulpit is not a place to ramble on and say nothing.[/perfectpullquote]

The pulpit is not a place to ramble on and say nothing. Jesus said, they think they will be heard for their much speaking. The only one deceived is the one speaking. If you know what you are talking about, you should be able to make it clear, keep it concise, and bring it to a conclusion.

Fluff is not enough. You must be able, by sound doctrine, to encourage and edify God’s people. The proof will not be in your verbosity, but in lives that are changed. Also, you must, like Stephen, be able to silence the naysayers. Your preaching and teaching will be challenged and contradicted. Fluff will not edify the Saints or silence your critics. Sound doctrine, for this dispensation, is the preachers answer to the needs of all men and women.

GOOD PREACHING AIN’T GOOD PASTORING

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By Ken Blue

Bible colleges may be turning out good men who can preach, but most of them get an “F” when it comes to producing men who know how to pastor. One of the reasons for this failure is that none of the teachers or professors are pastors themselves; they are only textbook educators.

The dictionary definition of “preaching” is to deliver a sermon. However, Vines says the “pastor” is: “a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks” (not merely one who feeds them), is used metaphorically of Christian “pastors,” Eph. 4:11. “Pastors” guide as well as feed the flock; cp. Acts 20:28, which, with ver. 17, indicates that this was the service committed to elders (overseers or bishops); —Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Preaching then, is one part of pastoring. It is the feeding aspect of the ministry.

If a young man thinks winning a soul to Christ or standing on the street corner preaching will qualify him to pastor; he is in for a rude awaking once he becomes the pastor. To be sure, soul winning and preaching are vital parts of the ministry, but they are just a part of it. I personally know many young men who are outstanding preachers and great soul winners, but their church never grows beyond 15 people. The number one reason for this is their lack of pastoring skills.

On the other hand, I know men who pastor large churches; but they are not outstanding preachers or teachers. The average response to this fact, by those who have not learned to pastor, is that those pastors with the larger churches are not giving the flock biblical meat; while the reason his own church is not growing is because the people can’t take strong Bible preaching.

If a pastor is killing his flock with strong meat, wouldn’t he be wise to feed them milk until they are mature enough for the meat? If you are adding new converts to your church each week, your task is to bring them from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. This takes time, patience, and know-how. How do you get a person from where he is spiritually to where you want him to be spiritually? That is what pastoring is all about. Your deep sermons, alone, will not do it.

I recommend that a young man work for a pastor who knows how to pastor his flock. He should commit to at least five years and involve himself, over time, in every aspect of the ministry. If you can’t learn the things you need in Bible College; learn them from a pastor who is building a good church.

Finally, let me assure you that I do not believe a church is spiritual because it is large or small. However, some smaller churches could increase in members and maturity if the pastor would determine to learn all he can about pastoring and leadership. He must understand that preaching ability and pastoring are two completely different things.

THE SERMON CONCLUSION

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RUNNER FINISN LINE
(MORMON SCIENTIST DISPROVE MORMONISM THROUGH DNA,

AND THE LACK OF LINGUISTIC,AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svfxSscxh8o)
 

 
By Ken Blue

There are five parts to the sermon, they are: 1.) The Title, 2.) The Text, 3.) The Introduction, 4.) The Proposition, and 5.) The Conclusion. Although, much could be said about the construction of the sermon, and the preacher should learn all he can to perfect this art, hopefully these thought will help and create a desire to study this subject further.

We cannot over emphasis the importance of a well planned conclusion. It is the point in the sermon where the preacher “closes the deal.” That is, the conclusion is where you press for a decision of commitment. Your sermon and conclusion must have a powerful purpose.

You should be very specific about what you want people to do. Unless the conclusion is specific and clear people will be confused about what you expect or what action to take. I have heard may preachers call for people to get right with God, and start serving Him. However, they never get down to the business of telling them what to do in order to get right, or how they can serve Him.

Stop preaching in generalities; be specific about what you want and expect. Call upon people to accept Christ, and lead them in a prayer of salvation or service. If you expect people to join the church or commit to spiritual growth, tell them how to go about it. When seeking for people to serve, identify the ministry,  what is involved, and what steps they should take get into a ministry.
The invitation must be personal. You are speaking to people, not before them. They must understand and feel that the sermon and invitation is directed at them and to them. This is the time for an emotional appeal. If you are serious about what you are doing, it should show in your face, your eyes, your voice, and your body language. Plead with people to commit to Jesus Christ as Savior, or in service to Him. “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” Acts 14:1.

It is helpful to repeat the main points of the message, but don’t preach the sermon over again. Do not introduce anything new, or anything not consistent with your sermon. You could use a poem, an illustration, or part of a hymn when appropriate.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions that will force people to think and consider what you are calling for them to do. Never allow the conclusion to be weak or to simply trail off. End with energy, clarity, and expectation. Don’t make the back porch larger than the house. Dr. Elmer Towns said, “You get what you go after.” So, be clear about what you want them to commit to, and then go after it.