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.

FACES

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-FACES-
By Ken Blue

The congregation was seated; everyone was in his place;
And just before the sermon, I saw a message on each face.

Here sits a woman with cancer, her illness, known to none;
Perhaps I’ll ease her fears, by exalting God’s suffering Son.

There are many families here from far and distant lands;
Jesus too was a stranger, their rejection, He understands.

Others have no income, unemployed, they are poorly fed;
Jesus identifies with them. He had no place to lay His head.

Here are lonely seniors, who will return to an empty home;
May I assure them, Jesus will never leave them alone.

To my right, a single mother, with three children in her care;
May I reassure her, of a loving family here.

There’s a girl with a secret, she’s too ashamed to make it known;
May this congregation help her, and never cast a stone.

Here I stand, an inept preacher, with needy souls filling this place;
May this sermon meet those needs, seen today on every face.

A BLOODY MARY

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IF ISRAEL DRINKS BLOOD FOR SINS, WHAT ABOUT AMERICA

bloodKen Blue

“For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Revelation 16:6.

The angel of the waters justified the act of God in giving the wicked nation blood to drink. That nation is guilty of accepting the leadership of the Antichrist, and killing God’s prophets and believers. The following verses identify those given blood to drink. “Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.” Matthew 23:31.”Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.” Luke 11:47. ”Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.” Romans 11:3. “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:” 1 Thessalonians 2:15.

Stephen sealed his own fate by accusing and reminding the Jews of their long history of rebellion against God, and of murdering their own prophets and saints. He says, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:” Acts 7:52. This attitude and action will resume again, by Israel, under the leadership of the Antichrist. God’s wrath will be poured out on them to the fullest in those last days.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…nations who revel in corruption and immorality are doomed to judgment and destruction.[/perfectpullquote]

We are not told how God will judge the Gentile nations during that time. We know those who go up against Israel will be destroyed at Christ’s coming. However, Scripture and history show that nations who revel in corruption and immorality are doomed to judgment and destruction. What then will be the future of America? If God will not withhold judgment on the nation of Israel, can we expect Him to overlook the wickedness into which our country is marching?

When America’s heroes and entertainers, are people like: crotch grabbing, Michel Jackson; simulated intercourse, Madonna; the vulgar dancing of Jessica Simpson; the murder of the unborn and the promotion of sodomy; how can we expect anything other than judgment? I have no idea how God will judge each nation that is dedicated to wickedness, but rest assured; if Israel gets blood to drink for her sins, can the gentiles expect less?

It is time to wake up, straighten up, stand up, speak up, and look up. The world will have its “Bloody Mary” to drink, and when Jesus returns; it will shut up and eventually burn up. Until then, live for Him.

HIGH JUMPING AND STRAIGHT WALKING

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR STRAIGHT WALKING

Straight road
By Ken Blue

Dr. Paul Vanaman was my professor and a dear friend. He spoke at our church on many occasions in the early days of my ministry. I will never forget a statement he made in one of those sermons. He said, “I don’t care how high you jump, what concerns me is how straight you walk when you come down.”

Some of the brethren, I fear, have confused the two. They think high jumping is the same as straight walking. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have seen many who can run, jump, and yell but they don’t tithe when they come down.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We’ve seen you jump; now let’s see your walk.[/perfectpullquote]

I love excitement in church. Very little plagues Christianity more than a dead, dull, dry service. We are not against jumping high, but we are opposed to that Christianity that fails to walk straight when the dust settles and the shouting is over.

When you come down, do you gossip? Do you attend church regularly? Do you tithe and support missions? Do you read your Bible and serve in your local church? Do you love all the brethren? Are you harboring bitterness and resentment? We’ve seen you jump; now let’s see your walk.

THE WALL

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THE WALL
By Ken Blue

The wall I built was long; it was tall and wide;
It was built, a defense, to hide the pain inside.

When companions came to close; for comforts call;
Then, hurriedly I fled; hiding behind my wall.

Life’s broken promises; man’s deceitful lies;
Build walls of anger; of rejection and of pride.

The wall, it kept growing, but no eye could see;
That meant for protection; was a prison for me.

That wall, I’ll tear down; relationships I miss;
Jesus called him “friend”; receiving his Judas kiss.

If you too want friends; companionship at all,
Then you must endure the pain, and tear down the wall.