Lesson Goal
Learn how to preach a sermon that builds on several mottos.
Lesson Intro
In the previous sermon model we tied several points together by the continual repeating of a refrain, a phrase or motto. In this sermon, we do something similar except that the refrain evolves, builds, or otherwise modifies with each point.
Lesson Plan
We are going to continue our discussion on researching several pericopes in different contexts, but this time our theme grows, develops or builds towards a conclusion or climax, or we explore different aspects of a theme found in different biblical contexts. This is put together in a series of statements that move through our theme. We will also see how such a series of statements can be found in one pericope.
Lesson Body
Using Several Pericopes
Take the theme of salvation. One pericope such as Ephesians 2:1-10 may speak of God choosing us for salvation. A second pericope such as Ephesians 3:14-21 may speak of salvation being like a process of being made holy by God. A third pericope such as Romans 8:28-39 may describe salvation as being united with Christ. This could be brought together through a series of statements about salvation: 1) God chose us for salvation, 2) God builds holiness into us for salvation, and 3) salvation unites us with Christ now and forever.
This introduces a new 5th point to go along with the four on comparing pericopes which we discussed in the previous lesson.
Look at the surrounding text for context and larger themes,
Look at things which are the same in each pericope,
Look at things which are different in each pericope,
Look at how each pericope relates to the overall themes of the Bible, the cross, salvation, eternity, grace, love, etc.
Look for statements of progressive revelation, or statements of a common Bible theme.
Using one Pericope
This sermon does not have to use several pericopes. There are plenty of examples where one pericope could contain a series of statements suitable for a sermon. In fact, it is often safer to stick with one pericope as we have already discussed.
The Series of Statements
A simple way to organize a sermon with either three pericopes A, B and C with a series of statements K, L, and M about theme X, or one pericope with a series of statements K, L, and M about theme X, is as follows:
1. 3 Pericopes, 3 Statements
Goal: Teach K, L, & M about X
Intro: What about K, L, and M in relation to X?
Plan: Pericopes A, B, C
Body:
a. Pericope A + Statement K about X
b. Pericope B + Statement L about X
c. Pericope C + Statement M about X
Outro: K, L and M are all true about X
2. 1 Pericope, 3 Statements
Goal: Teach K, L, & M about X
Intro: What about K, L, and M in relation to X?
Plan: Pericope sub points 1, 2, 3
Body:
a. Statement K about X
b. Statement L about X
c. Statement M about X
Outro: K, L and M are all true about X
In the introduction you may give a teaser for X which arouses curiosity and interest, and include references to K, L and M. In the conclusion, you may give a final summary showing how K, L and M all relate to X and a summary statement. This is like the refrain except that the statement is slightly different in each case. It is your choice, as you are led by God, how you construct your series-of-statements sermon.
You may vary the outline in many ways. One approach would be if say, statements K and M were true, but statement L was not. Your goal then might be to teach why that is the case and your sermon would confirm K and M, but debunk L. Another variation could be that K, L and M build upon each other. In such circumstances K could be partially M, and L could be more fully M, and M could be the full statement.
Example Sermon
Title: "Bigotry"
Goal
Discover where God's people really are.
Intro
There are two great things which hurt the church today. One is heresy. The other is denominational bigotry. Most doctrines that separate Christians are twigs. We tend to agree on the trunk of the tree matters of such as the teachings of Jesus and the essentials of salvation. The troublesome issues are either of lesser importance, irrelevant or merely the badly informed opinions of faulty human beings.
Most mainstream churches teach a correct understanding on the essential doctrines. When we look at other churches, how do we see them—for their obvious faults or to what the Holy Spirit is doing among them?
Plan
Let's look at Acts 11 and see how God looks upon other believers.
Body
1. The Voice's Statement (Acts 11:1-9)
It's easy to be a critic and focus on differences between believers. As Peter returned to Jerusalem after having witnessed the conversion of the Gentiles, some of the Jewish believers criticized him (Acts 11:2).
Peter's criterion as to whether or not the Gentiles were adequate believers was not an analysis of some picky doctrinal position regarding foods or exclusivity. Rather, his criterion was singular, that God had accepted them into the household of faith. Who are we to criticize God for giving his Holy Spirit to someone outside of our denomination! What did the voice from heaven tell Peter?
Application: Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Bigotry is blind to the purity in others.
2. The Holy Spirit's Statement (Acts 11:10-12)
Today, we have a large number of criteria separating the denominations that we cling to, defining what we humanly consider to be an acceptable standard. It can be authority, liturgy, dogmas, culture, badges of human vanity, or some other idol of human ideas. There are three branches of Christianity: Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. Each branch has both good and bad traditions, strengths and weaknesses, and people to whom God has given his Holy Spirit, poured out without discrimination. Do we hesitate to fellowship with Christians of another denomination? What did the Holy Spirit say to Peter?
Application: Have no hesitation about going with those whom God has made clean. Bigotry hesitates to be where God is.
3. The Angel's Statement (Acts 11:13-14)
Over my life, I have visited hundreds of churches in dozens of different denominations. Some were vibrantly healthy and others were unquestionably in bad shape. The music, liturgy, cultures and sermons were all different. Yet, strangely enough, in all these varieties of Christianity, there was a common theme. The Gospel was being preached in most of them, and I perceived that God was talking to me. Yet strangely, some Christians are afraid to enter different churches. What did the angel say to the gentiles about Peter coming into their home?
Application: God's message can save any household. Bigotry blocks salvation.
4. Peter's Statement (Acts 11:15-17)
What are our criteria for discussing other churches? I'm not saying that for the sake of Christian unity, we ought to just blindly accept every wacky, off-the-wall doctrine in the Christian market place where too often badly informed and untrustworthy people make merchandise of naïve believers with materialistic wisdom, Christian-sounding fabrications and pop-psychology. On the other hand, we all have faults. Every denomination needs a deeper, more cleansing reformation. What did Peter say?
Application: If God gives others the same gift as he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are we to oppose God? Bigotry opposes God.
5. The Jerusalem Church's Statement (Acts 11:18)
When we realize what God is doing, we have no more grounds for an objection. We may recognize the faults of another church. Perhaps they are caught up in a spiritual fad of some kind, overly focusing on some lesser issues as most churches do. Yet, in the midst of all their human fallibility, they still believe in the same Lord Jesus. What did the members of the Jerusalem church say?
Application: God has granted to others repentance to life. Bigotry does not see what God has granted others.
6. Barnabas' Statement (Acts 11:19-30)
It's easy to allow criticism to be the focus in our dealings with fellow Christians, especially when some of their culture may be quite offensive to a stranger. However, it always behooves us to focus on the things that God considers to be important. What did Barnabas say?
Application: When we see the proof of God's favor in others' lives, let's be filled with joy, and encourage the believers to stay true to the Lord. Bigotry lacks the joy we should have when seeing God's favor to others.
Outro
Putting it all together: Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Have no hesitation about going with those God has made clean. God's message can save any household. If God gives others the same gift as he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are we to oppose God? God has granted to others repentance to life. When we see the proof of God's favor in others' lives, let's be filled with joy, and encourage the believers to stay true to the Lord. There is no place for bigotry against anybody or any church that God is dealing with.
Suggested Assignment
Choose one, two, three or four pericopes. Exegete each pericope separately as if you were doing a whole sermon on it alone. Then, find a series of statements that lend themselves to a theme. Organize them into a logical sequence.
Lesson Outro
We continued our discussion on researching several pericopes in different contexts, but this time we discussed how our theme can grows, develop or build towards a conclusion or climax, or we saw that we could explore different aspects of a theme found in different biblical contexts. This was put together in a series of statements that move through our theme. We also saw how such a series of statements can be found in one pericope. The series of statements can lend support to a doctrine, or a biblical concept.
