“Sermons That Fly” (Part 2)

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 second installment of “Sermons That Fly.” (BC)

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On Monday we considered the mood of the liftoff of the sermon or lesson.  Today, some thoughts about the main body.
Somehow every sermon visits with Christ.  He is the center of attention of the service, of course, or else we do not understand this high purpose of Scripture.  Paul explained, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).
That is a huge and effective goal, “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (Jesus) explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” – said of our Lord’s conversation with the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27).
The Scriptures point to Him, not in an artificial way that brings a tacked-on reference to Christ toward the end of a sermon, but in a way that always points to our need of Him.
That means our way is a way of faith – believing Jesus is the center of God’s plan; and of grace – He was full of grace and truth.

The Flight
The goal is clear – don’t leave the people behind at takeoff, but do not throw them out of the plane when you get going. People look for parachutes when they feel they are just being attacked.  They think about the need for drinks when it is too dry. Okay, let’s not stretch this plane ride thing, but here are some basic reminders:

• “Preach the Word” – The charge for Timothy is for us also (II Timothy 4:2).
• The content of that Word is to be given “not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be” (I Peter 5:2).  We really believe we all need what is being preached.  That promotes a passion that shows.
• The concerns and convictions are not spoken down to these people we love – “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (I Peter 5:3).  We want them to view us as fellow strugglers in the Christian life.
• The goal is clear – to grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18).  That implies we are filled with grace as we speak, and pointing to our Lord constantly since He is the one we want everyone to know better as a result of the sermon.

That does not mean the presentation is all positive and is not “rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16).  Because we are all sinners, we need change constantly, and it is the Word that gets to us, even “our thoughts and intents” (Hebrews 4:12). Doing all this, we still need “windows” or illustrations to keep their attention.  If the estimates of TV-time in a home are even close, people are used to a lot of variety and are easily bored by a “talking head.”

And all of this must be with warmth and personal love.  (Back to the Monday ideas about speaking as a pastor-teacher-friend, not a judge or critic.)

And with passion.  Do we really think this is important?  Is it from our heart with vigor?