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COWS AND BUTTER

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By Ken Blue

“I milk a lot of cows, but I make my own butter.” I have no idea who first made that statement, but it has a ring of wisdom to it. None of us are as original as we might think. A man who believes he must be original in every matter is foolish and proud.

My advice is, milk every cow you can, and get every last drop from the old heifer. Then edit it, rearrange it, pray over it and preach it! If God blesses it, then use it again and again and again.

We have been singing the same songs over and over for 150 years; people are blessed and no one complains. If you find a sermon that work; then work it. Most pastors do not care where you got your message. The Congregation is the last to care.

It amazes me how pastors can praise you on how your sermon has blessed them, until they discover where you may have gotten the idea or outline for it. If they dislike the vendor, the product can’t possibly be good.

Most preachers are thankful they have provided something that helps others. So milk the cows and don’t worry about their breed or whose pasture you found them in. Just put the bread and butter on the table and let God’s people enjoy the feast.

THE SERMON TITLE

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Someone suggested that this might be the worst sermon title ever. The Cock-a-Doodle Denial
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By Ken Blue

‘For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8.

In my first article on the sermon, I stated that there are five steps in the construction of the sermon. These are: (1) the title, (2) the text, (3) the introduction, (4) the body and (5) the conclusion. Obviously, many pastors fail to understand the purpose or the power in the title. In fact, I have heard sermons that did not have a purpose or a title. If the preacher had one, he never let anyone in on his secret. Remember, in preaching, there is a difference between the subject, the theme and the title. The subject (doctrine), may be God. The theme may be the love of God; whereas, the title would state a specific example or personal application of God’s love.

Some years ago I took my first book to the local bookstore, and I asked them to place it on their shelf and sell it for me. The manager said, “Pastor Blue, I am sure the content of your book is good. But, the old saying is still true; it is the cover that sells the book.” He did not stock my book, and I have since attempted to improve the covers.

The same principle applies when choosing a sermon title. It must get the interest and attention of people, if you expect them to come. People are not searching for truth; they are looking for answers to life’s problems and pain. Of course, we know it is the truth that will set them free; but if we can’t get them through the doors, we cannot give them the truth they need.

The title should state in capsule form what the sermon is about, and there should be no doubt as to its purpose. One pastor copied the following sermon titles from a local newspaper. – “On the Road to Jericho,” – “No Longer Walking on the Other Side of the Road,” – “The Gathering Storm,” – “Peter Goes Fishing,” – “The Ministry of Cracked Pots,” – “Becoming a Titus,” – “Give Me Agape,” – “River of Blood,” and – “No Such Thing as a Rubber Clock.” These titles are ridiculous. You can see why no lost person would be drawn to church to hear these sermons. It is impossible for any to tell what the purpose is or how it would help anyone.

If you are trying to be cute, any title will do, but if you are attempting to reach the un-churched, the title must reflect the intent of the message in no uncertain terms. Here are some examples of understandable and helpful titles. “Five Steps to a Debt-Free Life,”- “How to Start Over When You’ve Failed.”- “How You Can Avoid the Four Marriage Busters”. – “How You Can Know God Exist.”- “How You Can Know God Loves You”. – “What You Can Learn From Your Pain”. – “Discovering Your Purpose in Life”. Each title is clear and addresses needs, and questions the un-churched have.

D. L. Moody said, “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.” The sermon title is the message in a nutshell. The sermon, itself, should explain, inform, and apply the truth contained in the title.

GOADS AND NAILS

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GOADS AND NAILS

By Ken Blue

“And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Ecclesiastes 12:10-12.

 Those who minister to God’s people could learn much from Solomon, the Master Preacher. The first thing we discover is that the preacher must be apt to teach and give the people knowledge. Not only must he give heed to the Scriptures, he is also to be observant of people and his surroundings. When Solomon saw a broken or a vine-covered wall, he discovered a practical truth worth teaching.

In addition, he was able to set in order his findings so the mind could assimilate them. The preacher must master this art. Solomon was sure the words he taught were upright and the truth. This assurance gives the preacher confidence and the power needed in the pulpit.

When handled properly, the Word of God becomes goads and nails in the hand of the teaching pastor. A goad was a long stick, sharpened to a point and used to prod the oxen to greater commitment. Sometimes a sharp piece of steel was fastened to the end of a stick. It served as an ox goad and a weapon of war. There are times when the preacher must goad the people to get them moving in the right direction for Christ. 

Nails served two purposes in Scripture; sometime they fastened timbers together to frame a building. The other purpose for nails was to hang something on. Thus the preacher must observe scripture and world events in order to teach and motivate God’s people. Also, his task is to build up the people by rightly dividing the Scriptures and giving correct doctrine for this dispensation. He must know which promises are for the body of Christ and then help others hang their faith on these. Many of God’s people are given false promises which do not belong to the church. This is a great tragedy in preaching.

Although there is no end to the production of good books, the preacher must be careful that he does not neglect the Word of God for the books of men. Study in hard work, and it is the work all pastors are called to do.