“Sermons That Fly” (Part 1)

Here at RFYM, we are once again excited to share with you the thoughts of a new contributor to these articles. Highly respected pastor, church leader, author, and Bible teacher Knute Larson has shared with us this week’s series of articles—and on the very significant theme of preaching. We again welcome Knute, and encourage you to give careful thought and consideration to Knute’s good words in this first installment of “Sermons That Fly.” (BC)

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Pastors and teachers, let’s highlight some communications goals, comparing the talk to a successful flight. Here we go – today is the start, the takeoff (and we’re skipping the pre-flight process, hoping they get to the “airport” on time and in good spirit to hear the word of our living Lord!).

Takeoff
The beginning is mighty important, and can well catch the interest of the ones who came just to put in time, or because their parents made them.Half the battle is who you are.  Do they already know you love them and want the best for them?  Could they tell that from the way you treated them last Sunday?  Or the mood of cordiality set in the halls before the service?
Speaking for the first time to an audience is difficult, and maybe there, in that instance, it is true that you only have a minute or so to convince them to listen! (Some of us don’t even like to speak just once to an audience, because that first time many just look you over and decide if you are allowed to tell them anything!)
But even when the listeners already know and trust you, your first thoughts are vital.  Consider these:
1) Know how you will start.  Write it out, or at least the sequential thoughts.
2) Intros should answer questions like:

• Why should we want to know about this, or learn to believe or do this?
• What’s the big deal?  Why is this important today as well as when it was written?
• What is the tension on the streets or in our hearts about this subject that comes out of the text?
• Even, why would God want us to embrace this truth we are about to see?
• How does this recent event (one everyone is thinking of) picture the need we are going to talk about?

We can’t say too much about our mood and motivation that shows at this important beginning.  While it is true that every church knows what to expect from its regular pastor in this category, it is also important to remember there are guests and kids and less mature Christians watching. And deciding if they want to listen. Or not.

Some will not want to listen if we come on like, “I am about to tell you little kids what you should do, and I really mean it.”

Or, “I know some things you could not possibly know by yourselves.”

Or, “I have no problem with all this, but I am sure you do.”
How about something closer to, “I am so grateful that our Lord can help us all with this true need in our lives.”

Or, “Here’s a wonderful truth for each of our hearts.”
On Wednesday we will look at some mood and content issues related to the main body of the sermon.