Jul 12, 2013

Reviewing the Main Points 07.12.13

Here are a few preaching-related articles and resources that surfaced this past week.

The Biggest Mistakes Young Preachers Make – Matt Smethurst

Tullian Tchividjian, Voddie Baucham, and Russell Moore discuss common blunders new preachers make.

5 Things You Should Never Say or Do at a Funeral – Josh Pond

What we say is powerful in such a vulnerable situation, and we should tread carefully. So here are five things we must avoid when preaching a funeral.

Sermon Prep for the Bivocational Pastor – Philip Nation

Over the last two weeks, I have offered up my thoughts about serving bivocationally in ministry through my Reflections and Navigating posts. After both posts, I have had friends ask specifically about how I prepare for sermons with a full-time job. . . .

So with the hope of bringing some sense to it all, I’ll give to you some of the method to my particular madness.

What Makes for a Good Illustration? – Aaron Armstrong

What makes for a good illustration? Keeping it relatable. If our hearers get it, they’re coming along with us. But if they aren’t connecting, we risk talking to ourselves.

Don’t Settle for Your Mediocre Preaching – Paul Tripp

We cannot blame our job descriptions or busyness. We cannot point the finger at the unexpected things that show up on the schedule of every pastor. We cannot blame the demands of family. We have to humbly confess our preaching is mediocre, not rising to the standard to which we have been called. The problem is us.

Sermons on Several Occasions, First Series – John Wesley (via LibriVox)

“The following Sermons contain the substance of what I have been preaching for between eight and nine years last past. Every serious man who peruses these, will therefore see, in the clearest manner, what these doctrines are which I embrace and teach as the essentials of true religion.” This first series contains sermons concerning the way to heaven. (Summary by TriciaG)

These links and summaries are offered for your consideration and evaluation because they relate to preaching. Their inclusion does not necessarily imply my whole-hearted commendation. I can’t even recommend everything I write. As always, read with discernment.