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THE SERMON

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THE SERMON

 

By Ken Blue

The sermon is never an end in itself, but rather, the means to an end. The question that should be asked concerning every sermon is, “what end do I want to achieve?” I am confident that the only goal of many pastors is to preach another sermon, because that is expected of him. Their only purpose is to promulgate the truth with no other objective in mind.

We must ask the question of ourselves, what do I want people to know, be, or do as a result of this message? The sermon should be developed in such a manner that the above will be achieved. The proposition, ( the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset), should be stated somewhere at the beginning of the sermon. Everything thereafter must support that purpose. Avoid making the sub-points little sermons. Each point must support the title of your sermon. The minor points under these should consist of supportive text and illustrations to illuminate the sermon purpose.

The five major parts of a sermon are:

1. The title of the message.

2. The text supporting the message.

3. The introduction to the message.

4. The body or argument of the message. (The argument will have from two to seven sub-points.)

5. The conclusion of the message.

If one is preaching through a book of the Bible, it will help if he finds a Bible with paragraph markings, and then develop the topic within the paragraph. Don’t assume that the more Scripture one has in a sermon, the more effective it will be. It is best to have one objective to accomplish, and then convince the people to accept it. A running commentary from verse to verse gives more information than one can digest.

Sermons fall into several categories. Most pastors use a computer today. I suggest that they create a sermon folder, and then create folders within it for each book study, topics, series, etc. Save your work for future use. You could also create a template, as below, with the five parts of a sermon, and then use it for each sermon you develop. I hope these thoughts help someone.

 

 Date:

Subject:

Topic:

 Title:

 Text:

Introduction:

OUTLINE:

I.            

A.          

B.           

II.          

A.          

B.           

III.        

A.          

B.

Conclusion:

BRIDER SAYS TRANSLATORS OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE NOT CHRISTIANS

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brider

 

By Ken Blue

According to Baptist briders, not one of the men who translated the King James Bible was a “true Christian.” The following quote is from an article by a brider. “I don’t believe that you can be a Christian without being a Baptist.” If the brider is correct, we are preaching and teaching from a Bible that was translated by non-Christians.

If Baptist are the only Christians, that means that Baptist are singing songs in every service that were written by non-Christians. Most of the books in their office and colleges were written by non-Christians, if the briders definition is correct.

What shall we think of such men as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John and Charles Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Billy Sunday, Jack Hyles, Tom Malone, Bob Jones Sr., and a host of others? What of the Disciples, and the Church at Corinth? Was Peter a Christian when he denied the Lord three times, and was called Satan? Was Thomas a Christian when he and the Disciples refused to believe in Christ’s resurrection? Were the believers in Corinth Christians? Will our brother admit that there are multitudes in the Baptist bride churches who are not Christians, or do all in the bride obey ALL that Jesus commanded?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]This is an example of church theology gone amuck.[/pullquote]

 So, we must conclude that we have a King James Bible given to us by non-Christians. Our song book is filled with songs written by non-Christians, and some of the greatest believers since Paul were non-Christians. This, I say is nonsense; and they call us hyper-dispensationalist?   This is an example of church theology gone amuck.

 

IS THIS A CONTRADICTION

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By Ken Blue

Pr 26:4  “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”

Pr 26:5  “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”

Most believers have been assailed by the fool who thinks his questions have you trapped. One such question used to “set you up” is, “Is anything too hard for God?” The novice is quick to answer that God can do anything, to which he will be challenged with the next question, “can He make a rock so big He can’t lift it?”

The correct answer to the first question would eliminate the second. The answer is, no, God can’t do everything. In fact, there are many things God cannot do. God can’t do anything contrary to His nature. Therefore, He cannot lie. To ask God to be contrary to His nature is like asking, how  the color yellow taste.

Verse 4 tells us to not answer the fool according to his foolishness, or you too will be foolish. Verse 5 instructs us to give a correct and wise answer to his folly, lest he thing himself to be wise. It will help if we give a few examples to illustrate the two verses, and show that there is no contradiction between the two.

A young man came to Charles Spurgeon and said, “God told me that I am supposed to preach in your church…” Had Spurgeon believed God had actually told the young man that, he would found himself at his mercy, and just as foolish. Therefore, Spurgeon did not answer him according to his folly. Instead, Spurgeon wisely responded, “When God tells me to let you, I will.” Thus Spurgeon answered him according his folly, and the young man was silenced.

Jesus was masterful at silencing His critics. The following verses show His application of Proverbs 26:4, 5. Note: Mark 12:15 “Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.” The intent of the Pharisees and the Herodians was to trap Jesus with His own words, no matter how He answered. If He said “yes” He would have taken Caesar’s side against the Jews. If He said, “no” they would have turned Him over to Caesar for rebellion against Rome. His answer silenced them, and showed their hypocrisy. Mark 12:17  “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.”

Another example is seen concerning the Sabbath Day. Luke 6:7 “And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.” Rather than sinking to their level, He challenged them with things they themselves would do. In another text He asks if they would pull an animal out of a ditch on the Sabbath Day. The obvious answer was that they had, and would. His answer to them was, isn’t a man more valuable than an animal? He displayed at all times how the fool is to be answered.

“ANGELS OF LIGHT”

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By Ken Blue

2 Corinthians 11:13-15. “ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Dr. Paul Vanaman was one of my favorite professors at college; he was also my dear friend. I remember him telling the preacher boys, “You had better be a devil smeller, and mark them that cause division.” It will not be long before your church is visited by these “angels of light,” and the more discernment you have, the easier it will be for you to “smell” them.

Following are some of the characteristics of these “angels of light”.

The end game of these ambassadors of Satan is division. Very little damage can be done in a home or church, where unity abounds. Thus, Satan is the master of division. Jesus said that a house divided cannot stand. Therefore, the pastor should preach sermons that will fortify and unify the body of Christ.

These “angels of light” love to argue over words and doctrines, that not even God knows about. The more novel, the more energized they become. The best thing to do is avoid these people if possible. If you can’t silence them, then send them down the road and let them start their own church.

Another area of contention will be over the policies and finances. Like Judas, they are confident that your priorities are a waste. They would love to appoint a finance committee, and become the leader of it. You should remember this point; he who makes the policies, and controls the finances runs the church. The ambition of the “angles of light” is to take this power from the pastors unto themselves.

“Angels of light” love to point out your unscriptural, or anti-scriptural practices, of course, these will be anything they disagree with. It will be over the music, musical instruments, power point, prerecorded music, guest speakers, etc. There is no end to these sowers of discord.

The pastor and his family will discover before long that someone will start gossiping, and slander them. The slander will be about the children, the wife’s attire, the house, the car, and the clothes he wares. This gossip springs from envy and an evil heart. There is little you can do other than ignore it. If it becomes a problem that cannot be ignored, go to the person causing the trouble and ask them to leave. Be sure and take someone well respected with you.

It is sad, but true, that there will be those in the church whose agenda will be different from that of the pastor. This may involve new construction, or a remodeling project. They feel they are more qualified on what should be done. These “angels of light” can’t wait to share their wisdom with others.

You will find that you cannot pastor these “angels of light”. His or her pastor is someone else who is somewhere else. Many times it will be a teacher at a Bible College. Or, it may be their former pastor. Regardless, you will never be their pastor. They want the books and tapes of their favorite teacher in the bookstore. Everything you say will be critiqued by their groupies.

These “angels of light” may pressure you to bring in their favorite speaker, or support their missionary. They then glory in his flesh.

Finally, and perhaps most subtle, is the desire of these “angels of light” to start their own ministry by soliciting your church members. It won’t be long until they go behind your back to seek financial support from individual members, and also pull them out of their ministries to be part of their own. When you see this coming, you must pray for wisdom, and then go to them and put a stop to it. Remember, these “angels of light” have had thousands of years of experience. They love to create a situation where you will be blamed, regardless of what you do. In spite of this, you must do the wise thing, and pray that other members will not be destroyed in the process.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

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By Ken Blue

Proverbs 17:24. “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.”

Two worlds are portrayed in this verse. One is occupied by those determined to seek true wisdom and understanding; the other, by the fools who’s eyes and heart are never fixed on anything substantial. Like Noah’s raven, they can never find a place of purpose or rest. That which is within their reach, they ignore, and that which they will never have, they pretend to value. 

 A man of understanding has his gaze guided by the wisdom he has received from God and His Word. Wisdom is ever before him in all his desires and choices. He has learned that if he commits himself to the will of the Lord, his path will be established. He is the man with the single eye our Lord speaks of in the parable. Thus his body is full of light.

 The fool, on the other hand, has no interest is spiritual wisdom or understanding. These hinder him, as he pursues the wind. The sad state of the fool is that he is looking at everything, and seeing nothing. Everything to him is just beyond the horizon. He even fancies himself to be wise, but it is the wisdom of the world and is an allusion.

 I’ve seen many like this. They are going to serve God, if He ever opens the door for them. While looking at the ends of the earth, they fail to see that which is right before them. These little children are in men’s bodies. They are fifty years old and still playing Nintendo games while the grass grows. They live is a world of make-believe, and they are the owners of it. They are as unstable as water.

 Jesus Christ is the believers Wisdom and Understanding. He was in the world, and the world knew Him not. His generation was looking for something they could never have because they rejected that which was right before them. He came; they killed Him, and they never knew what they did. The fool, in our text will live and die, and never see that which he could have. He is too obsessed with that world he will never attain.