How to Develop Problem-Solution Sermons
a). Definition - A sermon that describes a problem, its nature, causes, effects and solutions.
b). Describe the importance of the problem to your listeners. Discuss its significance in the light of scriptural, social, physical, emotional, and mental realities.
c). Describe the probable root and surface causes for the problem.
d). From the scriptures discuss and illustrate how the problem can be solved. Give examples how Jesus, Paul or Moses might have solved the problem. State and explain principles for future problems solving.
e). Describe the results promised from the scriptures if the solutions are carried out to their full extent. Give contemporary examples of men and women who applied the Biblical principles and experienced God’s blessings for their obedience.
f). Note examples of problem-solutions in Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor from page 2-80 written by Dr. Paul J. Fritz. Some of the titles include:
1). How To Overcome the Powers of Wickedness! (I Pet. 5:8)
2). What Weapons Must We use in Fighting the Powers of Darkness? (Eph. 6:10-18)
3). What are Some Errors to Avoid in Selecting a Life Partner? (Gen. 2:24,25)
4). How Should We Go About Selecting a Future Partner? (Rom.12:1)
5). How To Overcome Discouragement, Confusion, and Tension. (Phil.4:6,7)
6). How Can We Experience Financial Freedom? (I Tim.6:6-18)
7). How Can God Deliver Us From Difficulties? (2 Kgs. 7:3-20)
8). How To Stop Being Unhappy. (Mt. 5:1-13)
9). How Should We Overcome Dependence on Idols? (I Jn.4:4)
Example of a Problem-Solution Sermon Outline
MAKE YOUR INTERPRETATIONS CLEAR
1). Body - State the problem - In Mk.12:24 what did Jesus mean by saying to the Pharisees, ``You error not knowing the scriptures or the power of God!’’
2). Explain the importance of the problem - Jesus knew that knowledge was not enough, it must be combined with the power of the Holy Spirit to interpret, apply, and teach it correctly.
3). Explain the nature of the problem - Describe the aspects, phases, characteristics, history, severity, scope, and extent of the problem. See Mk.12:18-30
4). Explain some of the causes of the problem. Jesus knew that the Pharisees were interested in justifying themselves in the eyes of men rather than in the eyes of God.
5). Show the solutions to the problem from the scripture. See Mk. 12:25-30
6). Explain the nature of the solution, its effects, and results.
7). Tell how the solution should be carried out. Make it practical, specific, and culturally relevant.
8). Explain the errors to avoid and the hindrances to on-going solutions to the problem in the lives of your people.
9). A crisis usually makes one feel that someone is trying to make life difficult for us. We need to understand the fundamentals of crisis-management. Most crises contain the following key elements:
a). Sense of need - This may result from sin, separation, or misunderstandings. Look for the root causes behind the need. The Israelites in the book of Judges recognized they were enslaved. They needed a crisis to expose their sins of idolatry. This can be good as it forces us to face up to the fact that we cannot handle life without Jesus.
b). Struggles with Life and Truth -
Defining the problem is the first step to solving it. The Israelites did not clearly understand their root problems. They were forced to learn the same lesson that ``They should worship the Lord God only and serve Him in sincerity and truth!’’
c). Sorrow and repentance - There must be a genuine feeling of regret, guilt, and desire to repent. The Israelites would feign repentance, but were usually not sincere. God had to discipline many times for the same sins. Learning to accept responsibility for sins may be the most difficult step in problem-solving.
d). Forgiveness appropriated - People must be led to seek God’s forgiveness and look for ways to maintain their fellowship with Him. Suggestions from different sources may help the person to see creatively how he can solve or prevent problems in the future.
e). Grace Applied - When forgiveness is appropriated, grace must be applied in our disposition toward others who may fall into similar traps. Many people struggle express their feelings about their problems. They look for someone to unload their burdens to. We must show kindness, graciousness, and favor toward those who need support in times of heartaches. Opening up channels of communication is usually key to applying the grace of God to all the facets of the problem. Some people have blind spots that they are not even aware they need the grace of God applied to. For example, one man failed to recognize that his wife wanted conversation before they went to bed. This problem created so much tension in the marriage that eventually the husband took a second wife. He claimed that his first wife was too frigid.
f). Regeneration Experienced - Christians should live above the works of the flesh. They should act with love, joy, consolation, patience, and the Spirit’s leading. Some Christians only experience Christ’s virtues on Sundays. ``If we say that we live in the Spirit let us walk in the Spirit’’ all 168 hours of the week.
g). Service - One’s sanctification is lived out in service for our Lord. Problems often return unless we are so busy with the Master’s business that our own problems dwindle in insignificance. (Matt. 6:33,34) Encourage your people to find some avenues of service that they can engage in beyond the bounds of their own family problems. Seek to counsel others in their problems with solutions from the scriptures. Preachers should offer in their messages:
1)). Adaptive skills
2)). Motivational skills
3)). Social skills
4)). Coping skills
5)). Problem-solving skills
6)). Interpretational skills
Jesus said, ``First remove the log out of your own eye...’’ (Matt. 7:1,2)
Example of Problem-Solution Sermon: John 6:32-58
Propositional Statement - What caused the Pharisees to error?
1. The crowds misunderstood the scriptural story of Moses and their fathers.
2. The crowds misunderstood the gift that they had just received from Jesus of bread and fish.
3. The crowds misunderstood the political aspirations of Jesus.
4. The crowds misunderstood and grumbled about the meaning of Jesus’ words. ``I am the bread from heaven that gives life to the world.’’(Jn.6:34) They did not understand His identity, His role, His responsibility, or His mission.
The Solutions Prescribed
1. Jesus meant that real bread is life-giving bread.
2. Jesus was responding to the demand for a sign.
3. Jesus said, ``Do not look for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life.’’
4. Even after they still misinterpreted Jesus’ words by asking ``What must we do to do the works of God?’’ Jesus gently corrected them by saying. ``The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’’ (John 6:28,29)
5. Jesus contrasts manna with real life giving bread in vs. 49. ``Your fathers ate manna, but I am the living bread... If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.’’
Jesus is not teaching that one must partake of the sacraments for eternal life. Instead Jesus is emphasizing faith in response to His testimony and His coming sacrifice. Flesh and blood refers to Christ as the crucified one and the source of life.
6. Jesus means that it is futile to believe in the rabbinic traditions. People must be shown that to hold on to their traditions in lieu of the scriptures is needless. The Jews needed to change their concept of a messiah.
7. Jesus means that eating His flesh and drinking His blood is sometimes difficult but necessary. It implies the acceptance of His thoughts, teachings, identity as God, His power, His purposes, and His orders. All of this is in contrast with the inferior earthly manna that the Jews were counting on in ``their messiah.’’
PROBLEM SOLUTION OUTLINE
1. TOPIC - How To Overcome Discouragement!
2. TEXT - Acts 27:1-26
3. PROPOSITIONAL STATEMENT - How can you overcome discouragement?
A. Weigh the strength of your opposition against God’s power and purpose for your life! (Acts 20:24)
B. Appraise the strength of your adversaries by taking a realistic look at the size of your problems. (acts 27:10)
C. Analyze your resources (Acts 27:21-26)
D. Remember that God’s purposes, plans, and processes take precedence over everything else. (Mt. 6:33)
E. Your faith in God makes you an overcomer. (I Jn. 5:4,5)
F. Accept your deliverance through His promises. (Acts 27:24-28:31)
G. Believe God for His strength in overcoming your fears, doubts, and oppositions. (Phil. 4:13)
H. Move ahead with faith, without fear and confident that the will of God will never lead you where His grace cannot keep you. (2 Cor.12:9)
Example of Problem-Solution Sermon on Spiritual Warfare
1. TOPIC - POWER ENCOUNTERS
2. TITLE - SPIRITUAL WARFARE
3. Propositional Statement - What do we need to know to successfully do battle with the forces of darkness?
A. Introduction - Recently, a teacher in a secondary school of Plateau State taught a lesson on the dangers of malaria. As the lesson progressed the teacher illustrated how the female anopheles mosquito bites an infected human being who is carrying the larvae form of the malaria parasite. After several days, the mosquito bites another person injecting him with the advanced form of the larvae which lives in the person’s liver. From there, the eggs hatch & are quickly spread throughout the man’s body giving him malaria fever. As the lecturer readied himself to the conclude the lesson one curious student raised his hand and said, ``Please sir, I have a serious question. I understand HOW the mosquito gives us malaria, but WHO told the mosquito to bite the man?’’
The student was not just satisfied with the scientific explanation for disease, he wanted to know the spiritual cause of the problems. In a similar way we must understand the sources of our struggles. The Bible says in Eph. 6:10-18, ``We battle not against flesh & blood but against forces of darkness.’’ Let us ask the question, ``What do we need to know to successfully do battle with the forces of darkness?’’
B. First, We Must Know Our Spiritual Equipment. (Eph. 6:10-18)
1). We must be strong in the Lord & in the power of His might. (v.10)
a). Human effort is inadequate but God’s power is invincible.
b). Human help from our tribe, family, or friends will eventually disappoint us.
2). Put on the full armor of God
a). Put on the belt of truth - This is symbolic clothing of Jesus Christ to show that we do are freed from the powers of sin through the truth of Christ & his word.
b). Truthful character is formed through consistent obedience to the Lord. This is illustrated by the man who built his house on the rock. He is the one who was able to withstand the floods of criticism, hard times, disappointments, & deprivation. (Mt. 7:24-27).
c). The breastplate of righteousness indicates that we are living a blameless life in the power, enablement, & holiness of Christ. - When the devil attacks us, he tries to accuse us of some wrong doing, inadequacy, impropriety, or weakness.
1)). The devil often attacks Christian leaders with temptations of money, power, sex, prestige, popularity, or possessions. All of these are attempts to discredit the man’s character-his righteousness.
2)). I Pet. 5:8 tells us, ``Be sober & vigilant for the devil prowls around us like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.’’
EXAMPLE- In the days of Christ the Romans enjoyed throwing Christians to the lions unless they would renounce their faith in Christ. They would delight in gathering the Coliseum, throw 50 or more Christians in the pit & wait to see who would renounce Christ while the others who be literally eaten alive. Satan is like those lions. He is not just interested in hindering the work of the church. He wants to destroy people by ushering them into hell. He is willing to make people rich, powerful, & famous just so that he can capture their soul.
d. Take up the shield of faith. The shield was made of leather so that when the flaming arrows of the enemy could be extinguished.
1). Christians need to be able to extinguish false rumors against them. They can do this by a steadfast faith in Christ. He will prove us to be faithful, pure, & blameless before the ultimate judge.
2). Faith provides confidence, courage, & boldness to speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15)
e. Christians need to be assured of their salvation. This will enable them to say, ``Why fear those who can only kill the body. If God is for me who can be against me.’’ (Rom. 8:31)
f. Christians’ only offensive weapon is the word of God. Many Christians are vulnerable to attacks from the devil because they are always on the defensive. Knowing the scriptures allows one to see that the best defense is a good offense. Football coaches will tell their players that if they are moving forward, the opposition will be intimidated to score. Many Christians are defeated, discouraged, & ineffective because they do not hide the word of God in their hearts. Paul said in 2 Cor. 10:5,
``We demolish arguments & every pretension that sets against the knowledge of God & we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’’
Example - One man had a special charm that would give him the power to become invisible. He used the charm to sneak into people’s homes. There he would put poison in their food, set fire to their houses, or steal important possessions. However, one day, he passed by a Pastor’s house in Bauchi where the preacher said, ``Come over here sir, we want to talk to you.’’ The man became frightened and ran away. Weeks later he came to the Pastor where the Pastor was about to lead him to Christ, then he said, ``You should burn your charm as an indication that you are ready to repent & make Christ your only Master.’’ Reluctantly, the man did this. After his dramatic conversion, some men from the underworld tried to kill the man to keep him from revealing their secret powers. One day they sent a lorry to run him down on the road, but the Lord caused a huge wind to lift him out of the way. Again men tried to poison him, but the Lord alerted him & he refused to eat the food given to him. Today, the man is an evangelist. He has led over 1,000 people to Christ telling them how he was delivered from the domain of darkness. The devil’s defeat is sure. We only need to appropriate what Christ has down for us through his death, burial, & resurrection power!
g. Pray at all times in the Spirit. Jesus said, ``Watch & pray that you should not enter into temptations, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’’
