Spurgeon on Finding a Preacher to Fill a Chapel

Spurgeon often recounted a time when a deacon south a minister for his church and he asked Spurgeon to find him a minister to “fill a chapel.”  Spurgeon responded, “I had not one big enough, and added that I thought it was the business of the people to try to gather the congregation, but I would send a brother who would do his best to fill the pulpit, and preach the gospel faithfully” (Spurgeon, Autobiography, vol. 2, p. 107). 

The Conclusive Importance of Conclusions in Expository Preaching

The conclusion of a sermon is of such crucial importance that it may make or break the thrust of your sermon.  While some preachers may think this concept is decidedly unfair, it is nonetheless true.  A poor, weak, or meandering conclusion will leave the congregation restless and feeling flat, rather than this being used as a crisp call to action.

The old adage of “Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them” has some merit.  Your conclusions are there to drive home the theme of your sermon.  How so? 

1. Conclusions could use an appropriate illustration to tie into the theme.  An apt quote, a story from the life of a great man or woman of faith, a contemporary vignette dealing with that theme—having these types of conclusions will be of great use.  Jesus used illustrations to help illumine a specific spiritual concept.  Expositors must never be opposed to using stories to help bolster the theme. 
2. Put the period at the end of the sentence.  By that, I mean to be careful about meandering.  Put the period on the end of the sermon.  As one preacher said regarding conclusions and sermons:  “Put a bow on that puppy.” 
3. Conclusions, by their very nature, are what the congregation remembers most because it is the last portion they hear.   When the conclusions powerfully drive home the theme and thrust of the sermon, your listeners will consider the sermon a “good” sermon, even if the rest of it was mediocre.  Such is human nature.  Use this to your advantage.  You want your people to leave with the point of the passage impressed upon their hearts and minds. 
4. Work on your conclusions just as much as your introductions and points.  If you plan out your sermon from front to back, likely what will suffer most is the conclusion because this will be the last thing you get to.  Yet, given the truth of #3, your conclusion should receive just as much attention as that of the body of the sermon. 

What are some other important issues regarding conclusions in expository preaching?

Preacher-Onlys Are Not Good Preachers

Tim Keller gives some great advice to those pastors who see themselves as preacher-onlys, at the expense of developing other areas of their leadership.  Here’s an excerpt:

I have often seen many men spend a great amount of time on preparing and preaching lengthy, dense, expository messages, while giving far less time and energy to the learning of leadership and pastoral nurture. It takes lots of experience and effort to help a body of people make a unified decision, or to regularly raise up new lay leaders, or to motivate and engage your people in evangelism, or to think strategically about the stewardship of your people’s spiritual gifts, or even to discern what they are. It takes lots of experience and effort to know how to help a sufferer without being either too passive or too directive, or to know when to confront a doubter and when to just listen patiently. Pastors in many of our Reformed churches do not seem to be as energized to learn to be great leaders and shepherds, but rather have more of an eye to being great teachers and preachers.

I’d point us to the example of John Calvin himself. No one put more emphasis on expository preaching as central to ministry. And yet ..

(To read the rest, click here.) 

Providing Outline Inserts in Worship Bulletins

One of the passion I have for the church is a clear understanding of the Word of God.   As a result, I find myself wanting to employ whatever I can to facilitate this understanding: pew Bibles, projection screen, and even putting my outline (with blanks) as an insert in our bulletin.  This last one has particular issues that are helpful and, I believe, a bit harmful:

Pros

1. Having the congregation refer to the outline and actively fill in the blanks keeps their attention and even curiosity up!
2. They have this outline to refer to at a later date, or even to pass along to someone else for strengthen and comfort.
3. It forces me (the preacher) to put the points “on the bottom shelf” so people can easily understand God’s truth.  Along with this, it forces me to remain decidedly applicational in my points, rather than merely informative.

Cons

1. Like it or not, the majority fail to make use of these outlines, thus making me wonder if it’s a waste of paper.
2. Once the last ‘blank’ if filled in, some risk tuning out because they are done with their respective blanks.
3. This outline risks giving off the feeling of a classroom setting rather than an event in the preaching moment, thus actually serving to divert the attention of the listener to what they are writing rather than to listening.

What are some pros and cons to having sermon outlines as inserts in your worship bulletins?

When External Issues Affect Your Exposition

Every so often as a preacher of the gospel, you will have external issues which will affect your thinking and your countenance prior to your entry into the pulpit.   Issues that happen at home, or just before the service can take the wind out of your sails and affect the tone of your sermon.   What are some steps you can take?

1. Get as much ready at home on Saturday night.  Lay out the clothes for all your children and yourself on Saturday night.  Get a good night’s sleep so that Sunday morning is not rushed–which may mean arising out of bed a half-hour to an hour earlier than normal.
2. Set up boundaries regarding conversation before your sermon.  This morning, a deacon approached me about something.  I told him, “If this is bad news and can wait until afterwards, can we talk about it then?”  He told me, “Preacher, I wouldn’t do that to you”–then he smiled.   Emergencies will come up (such was the case with us when we had flooding downstairs) that need immediate attention.  But otherwise, address these issues at a later time, for the morning preaching is far too important.  The preacher needs all of his faculties in working order.
3. Be aware that Satan will do all he can to ruin our disposition before we walk out of our house.   Need I say more?
4. Be sure you are bathed in prayer during the first portion of the service. Engage in the congregational singing and prayer.  Enjoy the fellowship you may have with your people.  Greet visitors and let them know how thankful you are they came and how you’d like to partner with them in prayer.  But ask the Lord to bring you into His presence so our minds and hearts are focused on Him and His Word!
5. Be sure you know your passage well! You never know what will happen on the morning of the preaching event, so the preparation during the week is absolutely critical.  Like a football player who knows his routes or blocking schemes through the weekly preparation and repetition, so does this apply to preachers of the Word.  The week should be having the Word on which we shall be preaching simmering in our hearts and minds as a grid for all we do.
6. Remember your calling! Strengthen your people!  Share the gospel!  Fulfill your ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit!  You have the risen and victorious Christ empowering you!

Any other thoughts?

Expositionalogistix is back in action!

After about a year layoff from blogging on this subject (much of it due to pastoral responsibilities and finishing up my DMin in Expository Preaching), I’m ready to get back into blogging about the calling God has granted to me–preaching the Word of God to the people of God to affect God’s creation!

Good to be back.

Please feel free to check out my new blog at http://gbtg.wordpress.com (Gripped By the Gospel).

“When Churches Have Disputes” (Tullian Tchividjian)

One of the hardest issues in pastoral life in following a long-time pastor who founded the church.  That pastor’s identity is in lockstep with the identity of the church—so when God calls a new pastor, there can be some growing pains.

Tullian Tchividjian is the pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida—founded and pastored by D. James Kennedy until his death in 2007 for 48 years. 

Now, a small faction has been circulating letters asking for Tchividjian’s removal.  Why?  He doesn’t wear robes like Kennedy, preach political sermons like Kennedy, having the same priorities as Kennedy, etc.  In response, Tchividjian wrote an article in the opinion section of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  I hope you will read the entire article, but the concluding paragraphs sum this servant of Christ’s attitude up nicely:

To get this matter behind us once and for all, the elders and I have called this congregational meeting and a vote will take place on Sunday. You will no doubt read about the result, but whatever it is, I want to say three things to the South Florida community that I love so much and have called home for 37 years.

First, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church is not my church, and it wasn’t Dr. Kennedy’s church. It’s God’s church and I want to honor Him and carry on the legacy of Jesus above anything or anyone else.

Second, I remain committed to serving our one new church and the community where we’re located. We are surrounded by so much need for God’s love and the hope that comes from knowing Him and I want this to be the focus of my life and ministry. I want Coral Ridge to be a church in Ft. Lauderdale, for Ft. Lauderdale. We want God to use us to make Ft. Lauderdale a better place to live for everyone, not just us.

Finally, whenever you see any of us who claim to be "Christ followers" behaving in a manner that is unlike Jesus, please forgive us. And please let that be a reflection on us, and not on Him. As imperfect people, we will continue to let you down and disappoint you, but Jesus will never let you down–he will never disappoint you. This conflict has "given the world the justification they’re looking for to disbelieve the gospel", and I am sorry.

Lexington Walk for Lupus NOW on Saturday, August 29, 2009

In May, my wife Cindy was diagnosed with lupus. This comes from a strong family history, as her mom and aunt also have this debilitating disease. I’m finding out now that some in our church struggle with lupus as well. While there is no cure as of yet, I don’t want to sit around and do nothing. It’s time for some gospel-centered action!

On Saturday, August 29, I will be participating in this year’s Walk for Lupus Now® in Lexington to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Mid-South Chapter. I am writing to ask you to join my team.

We hope to raise $25,000 this year allowing the LFAM to provide education  and support services to people living with lupus, and support much needed lupus research. Lupus is an acute and chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually every organ system in the body. It affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans and approximately 24,000 people in Kentucky.

We are going to have a great time at the Lexington Walk, and I hope you’ll be there with me.  It’s easy – just click on the link below and you’ll be taken to my team page, where you can easily register to become a member.  If you’re unable to join, please consider making a donation.

Making a difference starts with one step. Thank you for taking this step!

http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/lexington/theperrysix

Spiritual Nurses (A.W. Pink)

“But we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.” 1 Thess. 2:7

What a delightful figure did the Apostle here employ, and how blessedly it depicts the duties of the minister’s office in connection with one section of those who are committed to his charge. Unto those who are but babes in Christ he sustains the relationship of a nursing mother. What wisdom, what tenderness, what patience this calls for. His infantile charges are to be fed with the pure milk of the Word. Care has to be taken that they get plenty of rest, and not pressed into “service” for which they are utterly unfit. How beautifully this is brought out in Isaiah 40:11, where we behold the Good Shepherd carrying the “lambs” in His arms. “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” What a lesson is there pointed for all His under-shepherds to deal with the little ones as such, nourishing and tending to them.

But there comes a time when we outgrow the need for nurses, and it is just as harmful for those reaching the age of adolescence to be treated as though they were still in the nursery, as it would be if infants were forced to attempt tasks suited only to adults. We never tire of calling attention to some of the many ways in which the natural sketches the spiritual, for simple and obvious though this is—yet it is surprising how often the lessons to be learned therefrom are overlooked. During the first few months of our earthly existence we were entirely dependent upon the ministrations of others, being quite incapable of doing anything for ourselves. Even when learning to walk—other hands had to support us. But would it not be pathetic if such were the case with us now?

It is lamentable when a boy in his teens is still tied to his mother’s apron strings. Yet is it not equally deplorable for those who have been Christians many years to be tied to their minister’s apron strings? Yet how often we witness this very thing. There is a certain class who seem to be afraid, or at any rate unwilling, to think for themselves—to search the Scriptures for themselves, and act accordingly—and we suspect that in many cases the preacher is as much to be blamed as they are. It is true that he is their teacher, and as such he should possess a wider and deeper knowledge of spiritual things than they have. Yet is it not his duty to instruct them—to familiarize themselves with God’s Word, and thus become qualified to “Test all things—hold fast that which is good”? (1 Thess. 5:21). In other words, the preacher is not to be a nurse unto them all their lives.

It has long been our conviction that the preacher who is really of greatest service to his people—is the one who makes them most independent of creature help, and casts them back directly upon God Himself. For souls to run to their pastor every time they are in trouble, or look to him to solve all their spiritual problems, is virtually to give him the same place in their lives as the deluded Papists accord their “priests.” This is not only to rob God of His glory—but also retards their spiritual progress. It is with God Himself, that I most need to deal, and any man who comes between me and the Lord is really a hindrance, no matter how good his intentions may be. Moreover, the preacher is human, and therefore liable to err—but God is omniscient and never misdirects. “If any of you lacks wisdom—let him ask of God.” (James 1:5).

Some time ago we had a letter from one of our readers to say she was much perturbed over the matter of baptism, and asking us to communicate our own views thereon. We answered by saying that while we rejoiced to learn she was exercised upon this important ordinance—yet we were disappointed that our opinion had been asked for. We stated that if we gave it, it could not be of any real value to her: that she had the same Bible to consult that we had, and urged her to prayerfully study the New Testament and act thereon—taking no man’s word or advice. We knew that what we had said would be a real test, and that if she belonged to that hyper-sensitive class which is so numerous today, she would be offended. But committing the matter to the Lord, we counted upon Him to be so overruling that He would be glorified and she satisfied.

Our inquirer thanked us for our letter, saying, “I absolutely concur with you that it would not help me for you to answer my question regarding immersion. I must search the Word prayerfully, and be entirely obedient to that light God gives me . . . You must agree it is hard for a young Christian to know what the Word teaches (humanly speaking) when one spiritual man of God teaches that it says one thing, and another apparently equally spiritually-minded man teaches from the Word the opposite.” To which we replied, “Yes, my dear friend, I freely grant that it is far from easy to ascertain what God’s Word teaches while we practically shut ourselves up to hearing or reading what is now being given out by those claiming to be ‘Bible Teachers’; yes, I go so far as to say that it is impossible—nothing but confusion can be the result.”

Sooner or later there comes a time in the lives of most real Christians when those words, “Stop trusting in man” (Isaiah 2:22) are applied to their hearts in Divine power. This will not mean that they now refuse to hear God’s servants or read their writings—but that they will no longer place the same blind confidence in their teachers as the Papists do in their priests. Instead, they will emulate the Bereans, who did not mechanically accept what they heard even from the lips of the Apostles—but “examined the Scriptures every day—to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). This is what our young friend did, and in her last letter she was able to tell us that the Lord had made clear her duty and she had been Scripturally baptized. How happy she was that her faith stood not “in the wisdom of men—but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5). She added, “I can perceive well how the man who throws me back upon the Lord Himself helps me the most.” Spiritual nurses have their place—but they become a snare when we fail to outgrow their need.

(From Grace Gems — http://www.gracegems.org — by A.W. Pink, 1939)

The Gospel In Contemporary Culture (Alistair Begg 1998)

The Gospel In Contemporary Culture (Alistair Begg 1998)