Lesson Goal
Learn how to preach a one point sermon.
Lesson Intro
The African-American church has had a unique and interesting development in the history of American Christianity. A unique style of one-point sermon developed which can have great impact in any culture. The jewel sermon is one single idea with many facets. Unlike a normal multi-point sermon, each of the facets of the jewel sermon keeps returning to the one subject.
Lesson Plan
We are going to discuss how to prepare a jewel sermon.
Lesson Body
A jewel sermon repeats the theme over and over for each facet of discussion as a form of emphasis. It can be abused. Lenin, Goebbels, Stalin and Hitler are reputed to have followed the philosophy that if you repeat a lie loud enough and often enough it becomes the truth. This is another logical fallacy, the argument from repetition (ad nauseam), the deceitfulness that prolonged repetition somehow proves a point. We don't need that kind of dishonesty in the pulpit. But this technique can also be used for good, for emphasis of a point. It is used several times in the scriptures.
Examples in the Bible
1. The Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13)
Notice how the love chapter keeps repeating the subject. The Corinthians had been engaged in something that is familiar to us today, the belief that having a spiritual gift makes you spiritually superior. Paul corrects this misconception, by pointing out the most important thing of all, love. He says, love is patient, love is kind... all in all, Paul describes about 15 facets to this jewel we call love. This builds to a crescendo, helping the topic make a greater impression.
2. Psalm 136
For those who don't like some of the repetitive Christian music these days, we look at heaven where the angels repeat "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty...", or we could take a look at the Hallelujah Chorus, or we could go back even further in time to Psalm 136, a song of thanksgiving. The line "his mercy endures forever" is repeated 26 times. Granted, some modern choruses do repeat a rather meaningless or trite line ad nauseam.
3. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12)
Jesus probably shocked everyone by not making the first list of his public teaching the Ten Commandments or some other part of law, but rather a list of attitudes which produce abundant happiness. Each of these attributes is introduces as a facet of a jewel called "blessed" or "supremely happy."
Preparation
Notice that such repetition is not repeated in every Psalm or every chapter in the Bible. So, it is important to realize that using this technique ought to be a special treat, not overdone week in and week out. Perhaps that could apply to repetitive music as well.
1. Choose Carefully
Choose a theme that with repetition does not become hypnotic, deceptive or vain repetition. Choose a topic that is already proven and widely accepted as true and your repetition will only be encouragement to actually go out and do the right thing. An example might be encouragement to do good works, stay sexually pure, or pray daily. These are things that everyone already knows are right.
2. Discover as Many Facets as Possible
This can involve a topical search through the Bible, an internet search, and other research. Compile a list of these facets and begin to place them in some kind of logical order. If you have too many, some could be combined or eliminated as needed.
3. Delivery
It is important in the delivery of this sermon to emphasize the repeated word or phrase appropriately. The church needs to understand that this is your emphasis, and that you are sincere about its importance. Some example of proper emphasis might be to shout the phrase or word, or stop and pause before saying the word or phrase in a whisper, or say the word or phrase in a long drawn out manner, or even vary how it is said; making sure that each time it is given some kind of majestic emphasis. I cannot overemphasize sincerity. This must not come across as fake theatrics.
Example Sermon
Title: "The Poorest of All"
Goal
To encourage the visiting of the needy.
Intro
When was the last time we thought about the poor? When was the last time we did something kind to the poor?
Plan
Today will look at many different facets of dealing with the poor as an overview of God's expectations of you and me. [Note: Don't quote each chapter and verse, just mention the principle and expound it.]
Body
Do not show favoritism to the poor or the rich (Exodus 23:3; Leviticus 19:15). The press often prejudges the rich and favors the poor. That is not right.
Do not deny justice to the poor (Exodus 23:6). How many employers pay only the bare minimum?
Provide for the poor (Exodus 23:11). When was the last time you provided for the poor?
Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted towards the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7). Are we harsh and judgmental towards down and outers?
Pay a poor man his wages on time (Deuteronomy 24:14-15). If you owe money on a contract, do you make a contractor wait?
God hears the poor man (Psalm 34:6). If a poor man complains against you or me, God hears?
God gives his gifts to the poor (Psalm 112:9). Do we?
Laziness is sometimes but not always a cause of being poor (Proverbs 10:4). It is a fact, but there are many, many other causes like war, disease, oppression, stock market crashes, drought.
Injustice is another cause of being poor (Proverbs 13:23). Do we show the poor injustice?
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for God (Proverbs 14:31). Do we oppress the poor?
He who mocks the poor shows contempt for God (Proverbs 17:5). Do we make fun of the poor?
He who is kind to the poor lends to God (Proverbs 19:17). Are we kind to the poor?
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing (Proverbs 28:27). Do we give to the poor?
Defend the rights of the poor (Proverbs 31:9). Would we be willing to defend a poor person's rights in court?
Provide a poor wanderer shelter (Isaiah 58:7). How hospitable are we to poor people?
Supremely happy are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). Why are the poor happy in spirit?
If you want to be perfect, sell your possessions and give to the poor (Matthew 19:21). Would we be willing to give up some of our wealth?
Those who give to the poor, give to Christ (Matthew 25:40). When was the last time we fed the hungry?
Supremely happy are the poor (Luke 6:10). Why are poor people happy?
When you give a party, invite the poor (Luke 14:13). Who's on your guest list?
God has chosen those who are poor to be rich in faith (James 2:5). Why are the poor rich in faith?
Often times the rich are the poorest of all (Revelation 3:17). The poorest people in town are often those with big houses, expensive cars, but no true friends, no true happiness and no faith in God.
Outro
Today we looked at many different facets of dealing with the poor as an overview of God's expectations of us. When was the last time we thought about the poor? When was the last time we did something kind for the poor?
Suggested Assignment
Choose a theme that with repetition does not become hypnotic, deceptive or vain repetition. Choose a topic that is already proven and widely accepted as true and your repetition will only be encouragement to actually go out and do the right thing. Discover its many facets, put them in a logical order and deliver each facet with appropriate repetition of the overall theme.
Lesson Outro
A jewel sermon is a technique for a one-point sermon that repeats the theme over and over for each facet of the topic as a form of emphasis. It can be a technique that is used for encouragement to action. Use it wisely and this sermon will have great impact on the activities of your congregation.
