Sermon Preparation

By Julian R. Snell

It is a foregone conclusion that before a good sermon can be delivered a great amount of preparation is involved. Hours of study, information accumulated, oftimes over a period of several years, meditation, prayer, research, meditation on, pray­er, make up the list of activities. This is a part of the work of the preacher; it is necessary to the success of his efforts and expected by all who benefit from his efforts. The very strong possibility, in most cases at least, exists that the preacher benefits from this far more than any other.

The rewards from adequate preparation are many. The very hope of seeing someone obey the Lord is a strong incentive; the evidence of greater knowledge and understanding in another and the strengthening of the faith of all make the effort worthwhile. Yet, there are some puzzling and perplexing things with respect to sermon preparation. Is all the preparation to be made by the preacher or teacher in the delivery of the lesson?

What about those who will listen to the gospel and meditate upon it for proper application? Are they required to do any preparing?

The human mind, sometimes referred to as the heart in the Bible, is a complex mechanism. For the serious things of life, it has to be prepared and tuned. Unlike a radio, watch, or a television set, more than an instant to twist a knob or push a button is involved. To profit to the fullest one's heart must be tuned to worship, to the sermon, to the Lord's Supper and to the song service and prayers. If not tuned, the static and interference will have its effect.

Preparation of mind and heart produces the attitude that makes for a good sermon from the listener's standpoint as well as the preacher. In the very same audience some will be touched and moved and others will be left cold and. indifferent. To the one it is a good sermon and to the other there just wasn't much to it. What is the difference? In the same audience one will be impressed by the power of the gospel and the forceful presentation of it and another will be turned off because the speaker's voice was husky, he coughed continually, he was too serious, he was too pert and too this or that and on and on---. What makes this difference? Why is there such a wide range of reactions to the same sermon? Is it because of the preacher’s preparation or the listener’s preparation? I suggest, in most instances, it is due to the preparation of the listener. Regardless of how much preparation a preacher makes before delivering a sermon, if the audience hasn't made some preparation too, it will be a big flop.

The parable of the sower recorded in Luke 8 stresses the value of having the proper attitude of heart. The different soils represented the different conditions of heart to which the seed, the word of God (Luke 8:11), would b e exposed. The reaction was varied, not because of the quality or method of administering the seed but because of the condition of the soil. The varied reactions to a sermon within the same audience of people are not explained by the presentation of the seed but by the attitudes of heart to which it is exposed.

Whether a sermon is good or bad is largely dependent upon preparation, the preacher’s and those that will hear him. If the heart of the listener is in tune to the glory and power of the gospel, this is what he will hear in every faithful presentation of the truth. If, as a listener, I have failed to make the right preparation by prayer, meditation and stirring within the joy of worshipping God and studying his word, the sermon will be a "dud," the singing a "drag," and the whole effort a big "0."

The value of preparation is not to be minimized. I am going to do mine. Will you do yours? If we will, every sermon will be a "good'un" and every period of worship an inspiration. &

"Will Wonders Never Cease?"

By David Gibson

The ministry of Christ on earth was one marvel after another. "Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks" (John 7:46). "So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.” (Matt. 15:31)

After investing Himself so completely in securing our salvation, He continues to this very day as our great High Priest, enthroned beside the Father. Though beyond our sight, He is never beyond reach (Heb. 4:14-16). And someday "we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).

The appropriate response to all this is to be filled with wonder and awe. But Satan knows what that may lead to! The last thing Satan wants is for us to surrender in reverent submission to the One who died that we might live! And so Satan tries to divert our attention away from Jesus by distracting us with the worrisome routine of everyday living or the pleasures of sin or the acquisition of things or the addictions of the flesh—anything but Christ!

"...the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor. 4:4, NRSV).

How we need, then, to cultivate a Christ-centered sense of awe. What helps us do this? Bible study, prayer, frequent fellowship with believers—all these can keep us focused "on things above, not on things that are on the earth" (Col. 3:2).

It is certainly possible to watch TV responsibly, but how easily Satan can use even good programming to keep our minds focused on "things that are on the earth." Every hour we keep our eyes glued to the screen is an hour not invested in the things of the Spirit.

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1, NASB). &

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It Is Impossible to Know That Miracles Are Impossible!

By Bob Myhan

Atheists and deists are fond of ridiculing those who believe in the reality of miracles. “Miracles are impossible,” they say. “And anyone who believes that the miracles recorded in the Bible really occurred is a fool!” But can one really know that miracles are impossible?

In order to know that miracles are impossible, one would have to know that no miracle has ever occurred and that no miracle will ever occur. To know this, one would have to be unbound by space and time else a miracle might have occurred at a place and time to which he did not have access. He would also have to be able to explain every event in terms of natural law. But omnipresence, eternality and omniscience are attributes unique to God. Thus, only God could know that miracles are impossible, if indeed they were.

However, one can be as certain that miracles are possible as he is that there is an intelligent Creator. The One who brought all things into existence can certainly manipulate those things if and when He so desires.

On this point, the deist is like Barney Fife looking out through the bars of the cell saying, “Who looks foolish now, Sheriff?” &