Hints for Constructing Topical Sermons
1. Compare and contrast Biblical doctrinal truths to the topic. Study the great doctrines of the Bible with balance in your theological perspective. For instance help people see that Calvinists and Arminianists have different views on various theological issues in the scriptures. Also different cultures view things differently. For example in the U.S. one of out every three adults are single. In Nigeria, nearly everyone is expected to get married and have children. This will affect how your audience will view certain topics such as ``Single For the Kingdom’s Sake.’’ Anticipate what some of the objections might be when you are addressing a topic like celibacy in Nigeria. Naturally, many people will say that people who are not married are not responsible, they do not deserve as much respect as someone who is married with children. You may counter that argument with truths that Jesus never married. Paul’s entire ministry life was successful as a single man. Jesus said, ``It is not what is on the outside of man that defiles him, but it is what comes out of a man, evil desires, greed, and lust.’’ These feelings are not just reserved for single people!
2. Bring in contemporary topics of interest that people will naturally pay keen attention to.
For example, the March 6th, 1990 edition of the Standard newspaper in Jos led with the headline, ``Jos Under Siege.’’ They went on to say, ``Underworld men rule in the night.’’ You could draw parallels to these relevant facts with the truths taught in Eph. 6:10-18. Learn to be a keen observer, reader, and learner of what goes on around you.
4. Use different forms of intuitive and logical approaches in presenting your topical sermons: deductive (general to specific), inductive (specific to general), past-present-future, (chronological), sequential (a-b-c-d), simple to complex, cause to effect, effect to cause, and least to most interesting. The most popular form of logic used by many preachers in Nigeria is story-principle logic. For example, after describing how Joseph fled from the clutches of Potiphar’s wife in Genesis, one Preacher shared a story about an unfaithful Pastor. Apparently, one Saturday night, the Pastor visited his secret mistress to have relations with her. However, as the Pastor was in the bedroom with the woman, her husband suddenly returned home. Quickly, the Pastor jumped into the cupboard so the husband would not see him. Suspecting that the Pastor would return that night, the husband spent the night. The next morning, the husband heard the Pastor pleading to be let out of the cupboard, but the husband wanted to publicly expose the Pastor. He quickly ordered some of his workers to carry the cupboard containing the Pastor to the platform of the Pastor’s church. When it came time for the sermon, the husband stood up and demanded that the cupboard be opened in front of the entire congregation. Out rolled the Pastor, with only his underwear on. His sin had found him out. He was swiftly dismissed from his office. The Pastor used this story to illustrate that even supposed Godly men can fall into serious temptation. He stressed the principle, ``Be sure your sins will find you out.’’
4. List some of the words that are related to the topic with the help of a concordance, dictionary, a book of synonyms, thesaurus, and a Bible encyclopedia. For example, for the word ``love’’ you could use synonyms like affection, patience, kindness, passion, cherish, endearment, fondness, agape, eros, phileo, stergo, warmth, or opposites like hate, indifference, jealousy, rudeness, bitterness, resentment etc.
6. Count and analyze Bible references for the most important words and begin to compile information on your topic through a concordance. The word love is used over a hundred times in the New Testament and over 75 times in the Old Testament. Compare and contrast their uses by different authors, in different contexts, with different topics.
7. Examine each reference individually to see how the context, author, and purpose of the book relates to your topic. For example, the way Paul uses faith in Romans 5:1, ``Therefore, being justified by faith... is different than the way James uses faith in James 2:17, ``Faith without works is dead.’’ Martin Luther became so upset with James’ use of faith, that at one time, he tore the book of James out of his Bible. Paul was talking about ``Saving faith’’ where James was talking about ``faith that works’’ (The fruit of faith). (Warren, p. 108, 1981)
8. Compare, contrast, and group your references into a structure that display the principles in an outline that will best allow you to present your topic most thoroughly. For example, ``How To Have Your Prayers Answered!’’
a. Confess and forsake your sins. (Psa. 66:18)
b. Abide in Christ (Jn.15:7)
c. Have faith that God will answer your prayers. (Mk. 11:24)
d. Ask others to intercede for you. (Eph. 3:14-21)
e. Have others join you in agreement in prayer. (Mt. 18:19)
f. Ask for Jesus Christ’s purposes, His sake, and in His will. (Jn.16:24)
g. Know the scriptures and obey them. (Mt. 22:29)
9. Bring in culturally relevant illustrations to properly help people connect the truths of scriptures with everyday examples of life. For example, in the March 6th edition of the Standard newspaper the following story was told. ``A woman alleged to have been teaching with a fake certificate for over 13 years in Bassa Local Government is said to have been arrested by men of the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation in Jos. Apparently, one her relatives became angry in a family dispute. The relative wrote a letter alleging that the woman had used a forged certificate to secure a teaching position, although she had never been to school. Reliable sources told our correspondent that most of the teachers could not challenge her because she had ’godfathers’ among the education officials who continued shielding her from attacks and disciplinary action.’’
This story could be used to illustrate how many false teachers are with us. We must search the scriptures to confirm the ideas of our teachers. (Acts 17:11)
VI. Word Study Exposition
DEFINITION - A word study message consists of a thorough analysis of the meaning, context, author’s purpose, as well as both the connotative & denotative meanings of the word as it was intended to a particular audience.
1. Compare and contrast the original and contemporary meanings of the word in Bible dictionaries, English dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, interlinear Hebrew/Greek Bibles, thesaurus etc. For example, the word patience means calm endurance of hardship, provocation, delay, pain etc. In the Hebrew it means long which shows that people may need to hold their passions for a long time under suffering. In Greek the word means lenient or yielding rights. It also means to remain under control or holding up under evil. (Warren, p.128, 1981)
2. Examine the context, author, purpose, and audience of the book where the word is used in the scripture. Normally, the context of patience is under suffering, persecution, trials, or oppression. This is exemplified in 2 Pet. 1:6 where patience is couched in the virtues of self-control, perseverance, and godliness. Patience at other times is seen as the crowning virtue of love. (I Cor. 13:4)
3. Analyze how the word is used in different translations. Sometimes patience is translated as self-control, long suffering, or endurance.
4. Check to see how the word is used in different places of the scripture by comparing how it is used with a concordance as well as other translations. Find out how many times it is used. Who uses it most? Where does the word occur first in the Bible? What are the root meanings of the word? How many times does it occur throughout the Bible? What does it mean in different contexts, times, by different people, and with different subjects? The word patience is mainly used in the epistles of the N.T. though it is found 3 times in Matthew and twice in Luke. A number of times the word hupomeno means to remain under as in I Pet. 2:20. Here the word is translated as endure. Patiently enduring injustice is a part of God’s plan for Christians at times. It was a feature of the true grace of God for the readers of I Peter. As Christ suffered evil for our sakes, so should we be willing for misery and deprivation!
5. Find the root meanings of the word from a Greek/Hebrew dictionary. One root meaning of patience is makrothumos which means long suffering. It is the ability to have oneself stretch without breaking or coming apart. (Acts 26:3)
6. Find out how other writers and preachers comparatively use the word. Listen to tapes of sermons on similar words to see how Pastors use these words in their messages. After Christ’s death, his disciples started to face severe persecution. This is one of the reasons that the apostles’ writings are filled with the word patience, endurance, and long-suffering.
7. Seek to solve any problems that people have traditionally misunderstood about the word. Some people have taken patience to mean passivity. However, patience means that we bear up under sorrow for Christ’s sake, but not blindly. We learn to assert the rights that have been granted to us legally, inherently, and spiritually. We learn that patience brings proven character, hope, and no disappointments. (Rom. 5:1-5) Patience also brings productive teaching in the church. (I Thes. 5:14) We are also promised rich blessings if we patiently wait on God. (James 5:7-11) Through patience we learn contentment in what God has chosen for us. We can learn that suffering is not always given to us as a result of our sins. Job learned this the hard way in Job 42:1,2. Christ is our supreme example for one who patiently endured affliction for our sakes. We need to follow his lead in patient endurance in our relations, ministries, and prayers! No one should try to escape every problem in his life, but thank God for the trials and look for God’s purposes. Many leaders need to learn patience with their members, their students, and their children as God is patient with them!
8. See who is speaking, what is his purpose for speaking, and who he is speaking to. For example, one person read Gen. 24:27 which says, ``I being in the way, the Lord led me.’’ This man took the verse to mean that he was standing in the way of the Lord’s will. However, the verse is being spoken by Abraham’s servant who is thanking God for leading him to Rebekah who would become the bride to Isaac. In the NIV the verse reads, ``As for me the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.’’ By comparing translations you can avoid many errors in interpretations and applications.
9. Check the range of meanings of each word. For example, the word run has 17 different meanings in the Oxford dictionary. It can mean I run with a ball, I have to run for a class, I have scored a run...etc. Words can also mean many different things to different people. English is a language that is loaded with idiomatic verbal expressions. For example, ``Check it out.’’ This can mean examine, evaluate, ascertain, or simply admire someone depending on the nuance of the meanings intended. Our goal is to understand the meanings of the author of each book, the context in which it was written, and the emphasis of each word. For example, agape, the Greek word for love, may mean loving someone even when you do not feel like it. However, most people would think love in the English is having a warm affection for someone.
10. Different words in Hebrew and Greek may be translated into one English word. For example, love is the one English word that represents phileo (Friendship love), eros (Sensual love), stergo (Family love), and agape
(Unconditional love) in the Greek language. All of these examples seek to show that certain languages are more explicit in explaining certain forms of speech. For example, some cultures that earn their living from fishing have hundreds of words to describe their techniques for catching fish. When you understand the way words were used in a culture you can understand the meanings of the terms.
11. In a Strongs, Youngs, N.A.S.B, OR N.I.V Concordance compare and contrast some of the occurrences of the word in the original language. You can do this by referring to the numbers adjacent to the words and refer to the Greek or Hebrew words in the back of the concordance. This will allow you to compare the root words for each word. If the word is used many times find a representative passage that will help you better understand the basic use of the word. Compare your findings with Colin Brown’s N.T. Dictionary of Words or Vine Expository Dictionary of N.T. words. These men have done exhaustive analysis of the history, lexicography, syntax, and grammatical background of many key words.
12. Get a Thesaurus and compare the synonyms and opposites of each word. This will allow you to understand the various shades of meanings of the words. Be careful that you do not read connotative meanings into each word through subtly bringing in your own presuppositions.
13. See how the word is used by other authors. James for example, uses faith differently than Paul. James puts an emphasis on the fruits of faith, but Paul puts an emphasis on faith as the root for all fruits.
14. Check to see how the word is used in other literature besides the Bible. This will help you see how many people understand the word today in comparison to how people understood the word in Biblical days. For example, the word ``enthusiasm, in Biblical days referred to someone who was crazy. Today, however, an enthusiastic man is someone with real motivation, energy, and excitement. Words tend to evolve in their meanings.
15. Do not exaggerate or underestimate the meaning of words. This is a common tendency for preachers, evangelists, and leaders who want to stir their people to action. Avoid this tendency by preaching the word and relying on the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of your people.
16. List the problems involved with the word. For example, some words could have possible dual meanings. The word phileo may mean friendship love, brotherly kindness, or loyalty. Depending on who was speaking, who he was speaking to, and the context in which he spoke will determine the actual interpretation of the word. Check what various commentators have to say about the various shades of meaning of each word.
17. List the various applications that can be made or have been made with the word. This will give you real insight into how people have interpreted the word correctly and incorrectly in the past. Consider the outcome of the way of life of people who have chosen to apply the word correctly and incorrectly. Share your findings with others. For example, ``Contentment’’ is used many ways. Some use it to take life passively. Others use it to be satisfied with the little God gives us. I Tim. 6:8 says, ``Godliness with contentment is great gain.’’ Paul was content with little material possessions by was not content with just planting one church or conducting one missionary journey.
VII. Book Background Exposition
DEFINITION - A book background sermon is designed to bring out the significance that the culture, economic, educational, social, political, and spiritual conditions had on the message of the book.
1. Research the historical development of the passage, the persons involved, the history, the social, culture, economic, educational, emotional, and spiritual conditions at the time of the writing of the book to gain a proper perspective. For example Colosse had been a leading city in Asia Minor (Turkey). Its great trade route leading from Ephesus on the Aegean Sea to the Euphrates River provided lots of money for the city. In similar ways, it was also subjected to the same problems as other port cities like Lagos. It became corrupt, overcrowded, and filled with profiteering businessmen. However, by the first century A.D. Colosse was demoted to a second-rate market town, which was surpassed in its power and influence by Laodicea and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13). Colosse was still important in a NT sense to Paul. He had carried on a three year ministry in Ephesus where he won Epaphras to Christ. Epaphras became the first Colossian Pastor, church planter, and evangelist. The church that resulted soon became a target of heretics which resulted in Epaphras’s visit to Rome and the letter of Colossians. From Epaphras’ letter, we get the idea of house churches. Later, we know that churches were started at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Most of these churches contained Gentiles who needed basic teaching about Christ.
One commentator writes about the false notions of some of the Colossians; ``The priests mutilated themselves for purposes of holiness. Under sacred oaths, they cut and gashed themselves. Then they reeled, whirled, and danced in frantic glee to the playing of horns and cymbals while the forests and mountains echoed the wild clamor of sexual orgies.’’
The indigenous people were given to dark, evil, and vile imaginations. It was this that led many believers to think that mere knowledge of the spirit world was enough for salvation and maturity. Many thought that convulsions were sure tokens of inspiration. Paul’s stern writings points out his urgency to expose these evil beliefs and practices. He says in Col. 2:2,3, ``My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.’’
2. Select a subject or a book of the Bible with which to research. For example, the book of Colossians furnishes us with similar problems faced by many Pastors in Nigeria today. Many of their members are dabbling in secret societies, juju, dodo, and charm use. The same answers that Paul gave the Colossians are applicable to many people in Nigeria today. ``For by Him all things were created...visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.’’ (1:16)
3. List the reference tools you might need such as:Archeology and the New Testament or Old Testament by Merrill F. Unger, Great People of the Bible and How They Lived, Reader’s Digest Association, Wycliffe Encyclopedia of the Bible, The Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands, etc. For example, the tools used to research Colossians included: 1). Ladie’s Colossians 2). Ironside’s Lectures on the Epistle to the Colossians. 3). Micholoson’s Colossians Oneness With Christ. 4). Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia 5). NASB Concordance 6). NIV Study Bible etc. (Warren, p. 144, 1981)
4. Gain insights, from history, geography, and customs and cultures of the Biblical lands of those days. For example, one learns that the chief opponent to Christianity was Montanism. They claimed ecstatic experiences gave them supernatural inspiration. They claimed to have the gifts of prophecy. They held that they possessed a transcendental code of morality. By the exercise of severe self-discipline and mutilation they believed they could make themselves holy. These philosophers sought to combine the best parts of Christianity with their own philosophies. These false teachers were denying the deity of Christ. They worshipped angels who they thought were their chief mediators to God. They tried to force the church to adopt many pagan practices and beliefs.
Pastors can see how parallel the problems that they face in Nigeria are with those of Epahras, the Colossians’ Pastor. We need to apply the same remedies to today’s problems of syncretism.
5. Explore the culture of the people by asking what their views of truths, reality, beliefs, attitudes, values, family, marriage, money, religion, spirits, idols, elders, children, art, manners, extended family, weapons, economy, politics, government, authority, service, communication, transportation, language, and status might have been in those days. For example, many Colossians were prospering because of their pagan practices. Their beliefs had led them into believing that their security lay in their false philosophies. Naturally, they wanted the Christian church to conform to their practices of 1). Ceremonialism - They held to strict rules about the kinds of permissible food and drink, religious festivals and circumcision that must be practiced. 2). They believed in ascetism - They told each other, ``Do not handle this, do not taste that, do not touch this!’’ (2:21) 3). They worshipped angels instead of Christ 4). They disclaimed Christ while Paul exalted Him as God. 5). They had secret knowledge pacts-The Gnostics boasted of this (2:18), but Paul countered it in 2:2,3. 6). They relied on human wisdom and traditions as in 2:4,8. Their heresies were a mixture of extreme forms of Judaism and an early stage of Gnosticism.
6. Conclude your research by answering the following questions:
a). How does this background information help me understand better what I am studying? What are my main observations, interpretations, correlations with other scripture, applications, evaluations, and means of communicating the truth of that word?
b). What influence did any of these factors have on the subject or book that I am studying? For example, Paul’s purpose in writing Colossians was to refute the heresies that Epaphras informed him about. He exalted Christ as God, as in the image of God, as the Creator, as the preexistent sustainer of all things, as the head of the church, as the first to be resurrected, as the fullness of deity in bodily form, and as the only reconciler between God and men. Paul taught that Christ is completely adequate. He pointed out the Colossian’s philosophic, spiritual, and mental inadequacies. He called their heresies deceptive philosophies, lacking any ability to restrain the old sinful nature (2;23). The theme of Colossians is the adequacy of Christ and the emptiness, deceit, and bankruptcy of human philosophies. A good sermon outline for preaching Colossians might look something like this:
TOPIC - Christ or Traditions
Propositional Statement or Thematic Question - How Can We Teach People That Christ is Superior Over All Traditions?
1. The Supremacy of Christ over traditions and culture - (Col. 1:15-23)
2. Paul’s Labor for the Church (1:24-2:7)
a. A Ministry for the sake of the church (1:24- 29)
b. A Concern for the Spiritual Welfare of His Readers (2:1-7)
3. Freedom from Human Regulations Through Life in Christ (2:8-23)
a. Warning to Guard Against False Teachers (2:8-15)
b. Pleas to reject False Teachers (2:16-19)
c. An Analysis of the Heresy (2:20-23)
4. Rules For Holy Living (3:1-4:6)
a. The Old Self and the New Self (3:-17)
b. Rules for Christian Households (3:18-4:1)
c. Further Instructions (4:2-6)
5. Final Greetings (4:7-18)
VIII. Book Survey Exposition
DEFINITION - A book survey sermon is designed to provide the audience with a overview of the main themes of the book. By analyzing the major principles in the book you synthesize the main observations, interpretations, and applications of the book you are researching.
1. Conduct an overview of the book by surveying, analyzing, and synthesizing the book into an outline or summary. For example, one gets the impression that the Colossians had many allusions to their pagan traditions. They esteemed the traditions of man over the oracles of God, as did the Pharisees. Paul reminded them that they were once estranged with a hostile mind involved in evil deeds (1:21). He called them dead in their sins an in the uncircumcision of the flesh (2:13). He referred to their past as their ``mysterious religion’’. This religion revelled in having an exclusive spirit. They claimed to have pre-eminent knowledge which led them to create an intellectual caste. Oaths of initiation were required in order to belong to their group. They held to a strict ethical code. This allowed them to set up their own moral rules. They believed that they could practice unrestrained immorality as long as they held to their philosophical principles. They insisted that creation was not by a supreme God since He could have nothing to do with matter which is inherently evil. Angels, they said, created life. They worshipped and served spirits rather than the Creator. Today, Gnosticism breathes its way into many false beliefs such as secret societies, spiritism, and idol worship. (Warren, p. 160, 1981)
2. Read through the book several times, sometimes while reading out loud. Emphasize different words as you think through the meanings of each word. (Warren, p. 160, 1981)
3. Try to read the book (Prayerfully) without looking at commentaries until you have formed your own first impressions. For example, pray about the evils around you. Preach, teach, counsel, and exhort people who still are falling into the same traps that the Colossians fell into. You might talk to other Godly people about the meaning of the passage to gain fresh insights into the book.
4. Ask yourself if this book belongs to poetry, history, prophecy, law, biography, Prison epistles, Pastoral epistles, letters, gospels or what? Since, this book was written as a letter from Paul at Epaphras’ request, it is an epistle. It parallels the Ephesians letter in many ways.
5. Describe your initial ideas of the book, its purposes, the problems that it attempts to solve, its most outstanding teaching, its themes, its people, its emotional tone, its structure, its style of writing etc. For example, the purpose of Paul was to refute the false teachings of the Gnostics and the Judaizers. As stated above, Paul exalted Christ as our adequacy in all aspects of life and death!
6. Describe what you think are the guiding words, verses, phrases, paragraphs, chapters, prayers, promises, rebukes, encouragements, principles, and truths. (Warren, p. 160, 1981) The key words in Colossians are Christ, wisdom, knowledge, and philosophies. The key verses would be in Col.2:2,3.
7. Learn all you can about the writer and his perspectives. Discover to whom he was addressing the letter or the book. Learn why he wrote the book in the first place. Learn about the audience’s response to the book. Discover when, where, and under what circumstances the book was written and how was it delivered or narrated by? (Warren, p. 160, 1981)
In response to Epaphras’s visit to his prison in Rome, Paul wrote the letter to the church. All those who spoke of this letter subscribe to its authenticity. Paul’s Christology is comparable with his earlier thoughts in I Cor. 8:6 and 2 Cor. 4:4. He addresses a serious doctrinal problem that has plagued the church of Christ for two thousand years. We should learn a lesson from Paul in Col.3:16 & 17 which says, ``Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’’
8. Get the big picture of the book. Try to see what place the book has in relation to other books of the Bible.
What would be missing from the Bible if this book were not included? For example, Colossians points out dangerous doctrinal and practical errors to be avoided. We need to help people examine their hearts for these subtle false beliefs. Anyone who looks to a source for their adequacy except Jesus Christ is deceiving himself.
Anyone who thinks that knowledge will vindicate them is failing to recognize the source of all wisdom and knowledge is Christ. Anyone who is succumbing to the pressure of friends, relatives, or society should draw strength from the one in whom all life was created. We should take cognizance that it is in Him, we live and move and have our being, alone. Rationalism is a heresy of intellectualism. Many people around the world, have sadly placed their trust in things that make sense to them. Ceremonialism is a heresy of false religious instincts. (Col.2:16, 20-22) Paul says,``Let no one be your judge in regard to eating and drinking, or observance of a festival . . . These are shadows of things to follow, but the body is Christ. False humility is a cult springing from false worship. God said, ``You shall have no other gods before me.’’ Sadly, many continue to cling to their false idols in hopes of favor, protection, and promotions. Mysticism is the heresy of spiritual consciousness (Col. 2:18) where Paul says, ``Who brags about visions and is puffed up without cause by his fleshly mind.’’ Colossians was written to combat these heresies. Paul presents counter truths to each of these heresies by presenting how Christ is superior to them all. Christ is complete. He is the giver of complete salvation, the complete answer to error, both theological and practical.
9. Make a short summary statement or outline of the book according to the main points of what you have discovered in your book research. (Warren, p. 160, 1981) Here is another tentative outline:
1. The Gospel at work among the Colossians. 1:1- 14
2. The Person and Work of Christ 1:15-23
a. Christ as pre-eminent in all His relationships. 1:15-20
b. Christ’s work as a reconciler. 1:21-23
3. Paul’s ministry of the Complete Christ. 1:24- 2:5
a. His Spirit, His authority, His message, His method, His strength, and His goal. 1:24-2:5
b. Christ, the source of all wisdom and knowledge. 2:2,3
4. One’s Personal Experience of Christ 2:6-3:4
a. Man-made religions are enemies to our faith in Christ.
b. The complete Christ and our experience in Him provide the answer to our errors & inadequacies.
c. Criteria for a Dynamic Christian experience:
1). Described negatively: buried with Christ
2). Described positively: raised with Christ
3). Means of realization: faith in the working of God
4). Grounds or basis: the working of God
d. The practical outcomes of experience in Christ
5. Life in Christ demonstrated in personal character & relationships (3:5-4:6)
6. Paul’s personal interests and salutations. 4:7-18
10. Use picturesque words that help you visualize the contents of the book. For example, some of the most descriptive words in Colossians describe Christ as our: 1). Head
2). Creator 3). Sustainer 4). Guide 5). Wisdom 6). Knowledge 7). Sovereign 8). Fullness 9). Beginning 10). Perfect etc.
11. Summarize from major to minor principles. Look for divisions of the book first then subdivisions which could be the chapters themselves and finally the important points that fall under the subdivisions. (Perhaps paragraphs) For example, the plan of Colossians shows that the emphasis is on Christ in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. (Col. 1:12-20) Christ is the image of God. He is the manifestation of the invisible God. First to be resurrected from the dead He sets the precedent for all believers. Paul shows how we are made full in Him. (Col. 2:11-3:4) We have died to our old sinful natures through spiritual death, circumcision, and baptism. We are made alive in Him though faith. By Him we have defeated all the spiritual enemies and have had our sins cancelled. He has rescued us from all error and renounced error on our behalf. We are now seated in the heavenly places in Christ where our lives are hidden with Christ. (Col. 3:1-5). From Col. 3:5- 4:6 we are given a detailed practical description of our new life in Christ. New natures must come after we have put to death the old nature and put on the new nature through faith in Christ. Then we can experience the fruits of our new life: peace, joy, fullness, grace, new conduct in our relations, singing in our hearts, outreach to the lost, harmony in our homes, and salvation for our souls.
12. Analyze your outline with those from study Bibles or books prepared on these particular books or subjects to compare and contrast with your own.
13. Jot down personal illustrations
and applications to your study. (Warren, p. 161, 1981) For example, I need to focus my attention on my new identity in Christ. Lord, help me to put away the old nature’s will, ways, and wanderings. Only as I live up to what you have made me in Christ can I experience all the joy, peace, and fullness in you. Help me to maximize my potential by drawing on your wisdom, knowledge, and total resources. Help me to share this adequacy with others in my teaching, preaching, and relationships!
IX. CHAPTER ANALYSIS EXPOSITION
Definition - By examining each word, phrase, sentence, paragraph, and its relationship to the book, one can break a chapter into understandable parts. This will enable you to have a handle on the major teachings of scripture for preaching, teaching, and living a successful Christian life in key chapters of the Bible.
1. Write a chapter summary of the book or subject by paraphrasing it in your own words, outlining it or listing the most important points, and rewriting it without the modifying clauses or phrases. For example, Jesus describes Himself as the ``True Vine’’ in John 15:1-17 and described how the world will hate the disciples in Jn.15:18-27. In 1- 10 Jesus tells how one experiences fruitfulness. In vs 11-17 He describes how love is exhibited through obedience. vs. 8-27 show how a disciple is to have a proper relationship to the world. Verses 18-27 describe how one is to view the human system. We are to be in the world but not of the world. Persecution will be expected for those who are living Godly lives. Jesus insists that privilege and responsibility go together in v.22. No excuses will be accepted, Jesus intimates, for those who have rejected Christ and His teachings. In light of all this, Christ promises to send His Holy Spirit who will be our guide, counselor, and guider into all truth! Jesus shows us the difference between true Christians, those who bear the fruits of righteousness versus those professing Christians, those who do not bear righteous fruit. He warns those who have not given true fruit that they are in danger of burning in hell. Abiding means becoming a Christian, persevering in the faith, and giving loving obedience to Christ. Without the life of the true vine, no one can reproduce His life into their own life, this is vanity. Jesus expects his children to bear fruit! Maintenance is not enough for a Christian. All of our motivation is for the love, glory, and purposes of the vine. (Warren, p. 178, 1981)
2. Record your OBSERVATIONS and INSIGHTS of the chapter or the subject by asking yourself, ``What does it say; what are the most outstanding lessons in this book or subject; Are there any comparisons or contrasts that are emphasized; Are any words or phrases repeated; Is there any cause and effect relationships to take notice of; are there any main principles that embody the thoughts of the writer or the speaker; What first and lasting impressions are given by this section; What would the first readers have seen as the most crucial arguments; Are there any key words, phrases, or aspects to this chapter; What is the main emphasis; What is the main problem he is addressing? What is the writer’s ultimate goal?’’
For example, the vine is a metaphor to describe Israel’s failure to abide in God. Failure to produce fruit is evidence of a poor personal relationship with Christ or an absence of a relationship with Him. The proportion of our success is directly related to our abiding with Jesus Christ. No human will, wisdom, or efforts will produce any lasting fruit. Christ encourages us to ask in His will, as we remain in the vine, and He will answer our prayers. Jesus wants us to bear much fruit in terms of converts, disciples, new churches, love, joy, peace, kindness, self-control, and greater glory for our heavenly Father.
Jesus also warns His disciples that because of their identification with Him they will have to undergo rejection, suffering, and hardships. This assures Christians that they can not live always in harmony with their customs, families, cultures, and traditions. Jesus correlates this truth with other statements that ``Unless your love for Me is so great as in comparison it makes it seem like you hate your own father, mother, wife, children, and brothers you cannot be my disciples.’’ (Lk.14:26) Jesus indicates that friendship with Him will mean hatred from the world which is under Satan’s power. The world is hostile towards Christians because they cannot understand the things of the Spirit. (I Cor. 2:14-16). The world cannot identify with the purposes of Jesus Christ. The world fails to see life from God’s perspectives only their own selfish, carnal, and evil viewpoints. The joy, freedom, forgiveness, power, and truth of Jesus is alien to the men who are living according to the desires of this world. They are jealous, distrustful, and angry towards those who possess such peace, joy, and higher purposes.
3. Ask essential INTERPRETATIVE questions like: What is the meaning of ______? What is the significance of ______? What is the implication of ______? When else is this term used? Why did the writer say this to these particular people? What significance is there for the use of this structure? What are the definitions of the key words? What is the explanation for the emphasis on certain phrases? What is the nature of the relationships in the text? What constitutes the theme? Why? How does the writer propose to accomplish his purpose? What are the main hindrances that the writer envisions for believing, knowing, and obeying the truth? What are the universal principles that come from this chapter? What insights would we lack without this text? What truths are crucial to the church, the family, and the fulfilling of the great commission? (Warren, p. 178, 1981)
For example, the vine and the branches provide a comparison of how dependent Christians are on Christ for their nutrients, support, nature, calling, gifts, duties, roles, and fruits! In this context Jesus refers to Israel which is not abiding in the TRUE VINE. They were trusting in their traditions, the teaching of their fathers, but failed to interpret the signs of the true Messiah.
In like fashion many people are only professing Christians without really having a born-again relationship with the Savior. Jesus makes stern warnings to those who are not producing the righteous fruit of obedience. The fruit will come in terms of love, joy, peace, converts, new churches, maturity, strong fellowships, prayerful living, holiness, assurance of salvation, service, giving, hope, victory over sin, the flesh, the world, and the devil. True believers will produce fruit in their speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Jesus summarized his teaching with a promise with a condition in Jn.15:7 which said, ``If you abide in me and my words abide in you ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.’’
A man caring for a vineyard in Jesus day would be exempted from military service, since his task was so important. We should learn that caring for our relationship with Christ should take priority over all other things, people, events, ideologies, and responsibilities. Apart from Him we are nothing and can produce nothing of real worth!
The implication of abiding in the vine is that we must continue to grow in our knowledge, dependence, likeness, character, and ministries to, with, through, and for Christ. Real love for Christ is exhibited by our obedience to His will for our lives. His plans are not just to maintain our survival, but to bear much fruit for Him, not for our own selfish pleasures, promotions, positions, or prestige!
The term vine is used throughout the OT as a symbol of Israel. Often, Israel is shown to be lacking in some way in its relationship to God. Jesus emphasizes the importance of pruning the vine so that it may bear more fruit. We must be willing to be spiritually chastised by God occasionally in order to have the unnecessary aspects of our life cut away so that new areas can develop. Let us not resist the discipline of the Lord, for the fruit of righteousness is peace and assurance forever. He disciplines us for our good unlike some of our earthly fathers who do it out of anger. Pruning is needed for godliness that profits in this life and in the one to come. (Heb. 12:10- 13)
4. List the problem passages or the DIFFICULTIES or questions that arise during your study. Also take notice of correlations that may clarify the meaning through cross-referencing. (Warren, p. 178, 1981)
For example, ``Thrown into the fire and burned.’’ Jesus is referring to judgment here of those who do not abide in the vine. In the light of John 6:39 and 10:27-28 these branches do not represent true believers. In other words, true Christians cannot lose their salvation, just as a Father can not unmake his own son. Once we are a member of the family of God, we are in the family forever. God never disowns his children! Genuine salvation is evidenced by a life of fruitfulness. This verse is a warning to those who are not bearing fruit to check to see if they are really ``In Christ’’, saved, and assured of their relationship to Jesus Christ. These so-called believers are in fact counterfeits Christians. When they say to Jesus during their judgment, ``Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers?’’ (Matt. 7:22,23)
5. Examine the CONTEXT to see who is speaking, who is being spoken to? When is it being spoken? Where is it being spoken? What is the occasion or circumstances? What is the main subject of the message? What other background material clarifies the meaning of the messages (Obvious or hidden or objective or subjective or overt or covert) (Warren, P.178, 1981)
For example, Jesus is giving this as a part of His upper room discourse. The message is primarily to His disciples. The discourse starts in chapter 13 and goes to chapter 17. All of this is right before Christ’s betrayal, arrest, and false trial. The urgency of Christ’s words are amplified as we realized that this will be the last time when Christ will have a special session with the apostles of His church before His death.
6. Define the syntax (word order),words, and phrases. Study the grammar and structure of the sentences. Study the background of the text historically.(Warren, p. 178, 1981)
For example, the phrase, ``My words remain in you.’’ (Jn.15:7) These words indicate that it is impossible for us to pray correctly apart from knowing and believing the teachings of Christ. If Christ’s thoughts become our thoughts then our prayers will be in perfect harmony with His will for our lives. Then, we can be confident that our prayers will be answered. ``Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.’’ (Psa. 37: 4)
7. Coordinate your chapter study with other scripture for comparison and contrasting purposes. Look for internal correlation within the same book. (Warren, p. 183, 1981) Look for external correlation with other books in the NT. Next look for interpreting the OT IN LIGHT OF THE NT (A Crucial Law of Interpretation)
For example, Jesus no longer calls His disciples, ``Slaves, but Friends’’. A servant is simply an agent, doing what his master commands and often does not understand His master’s purpose. Generally, a servant is not committed to His master’s best interest because he sees his work as a mere job to earn money. However, a friend helps a friend because of his love, affection, and concern for his best interests. A friend in need is a friend in deed, one man said. Jesus takes special notice of His disciples as men who are his confidants. They are his intimate supporters, companions, and trusted ones. Jesus reveals His most intimate thoughts, plans, and concerns. He says, ``I have made everything known to you.’’ (15:15) Jesus did not practice pretension with His friends, He was genuinely transparent with them. Jesus let His disciples know as much as they could absorb of the Father’s plan for Him and them. Later on, He assured them, the Spirit, would reveal the balance of the Father’s will for their lives, as He will in our lives. Jesus said, ``I will show you things to come.’’ (Jn.14:21)
Jesus did not base his friendships on tribal, sectional, political, family, occupational, or emotional sentiments. Instead, Christ’s friends were those who did the will of God. Friendships for Jesus were enhanced by his solidarity of purpose through constant communications with His disciples. He did not force everyone to give us their individual personality. Instead, he took the disciples strengths and showed them how these could be used to build the kingdom of God. The friendships were always centered around Jesus not on external things. Ultimately the greatest demonstration of friendship was shown in the willingness to lay down one’s life for the brethren. (Jn.15:13) We should not have a martyr’s complex, but instead should learn to lay down our desires for the good of Christ’s purposes in the lives of our brethren. This is discriminating friendships for His purposes rather than our selfish wants, desires, and satisfactions.
8. Write some concluding ideas to summarize your most important findings. This will allow you to come up with a tentative sermon outline, a Bible study guide, or a set of principles to use in your family devotions!
APPLICATIONS, EVALUATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
TOPIC - How to Bear Fruit!
Propositional Statement or Thematic Question - How Can We Bear Fruit For Christ?
1. Abide in Christ.
2. Accept God’s Discipline, Pruning, and Cleansing.
3. Ask anything in prayer.
4. Remain in His words.
5. Obey Christ
6. Seek to love Christ and others.
7. Seek to bear fruit that will last
8. Be prepared to suffer hardships, persecutions, and difficulties.
9. Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
10. Testify of Christ to the whole world; plant churches, evangelize, train leaders, and teach others.
X. Overall Analysis Style of Exposition
DEFINITION - Learning to integrate the expositionary method means bringing together the best parts of all the methods into a straight expositional sermon.
1. Ask what? why? where? how? & who? type questions of each passage.
2. Look for key words, phrases, people, principles, promises, truths, questions, answers, causes, motives, prayers, commands, warnings, comparisons, contrasts, illustrations, progressions, patterns, errors to avoid, examples (Both negative and positive), results, places, lists of things, fruits, steps, advice, admonitions, attitudes, connectives, objective truths, subjective truths, explanations, reasons, summaries, transitions, OT quotes in the NT, literary forms, styles, ironies, paradoxes, emphases, exaggerations, parables, information, grammar, verb usage, noun usage, adjectival usage, adverbial usage, past, present, or future usage, emotional tone, cultural influence etc.
p. Examples of Expositional Sermon Titles: (Found on pages 152-170 of Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor written by the author, obtainable at Jos ECWA Seminary, P.M.B. 2009, Plateau State.
1). What Are Some Causes of the Problems Faced by Children of Christian Parents? (Jud.2:6- 12)
2). How To Overcome Slavery to Sin (Jud. 2)
3). How To Avoid Some of the Major Mistakes of Life? (Jud.17:1-13)
4). How To Overcome Satan’s Devices! (Eph.6:10-18)
a. Prop. Statement or Thematic Question - What can we learn of Satan’s devices, schemes, & methods to help us fight the good fight of faith?
Introduction - When a football coach prepares his team for an important match he studies the pattern of the opposition. He will study their weaknesses to see how he can discover openings. He will study their strengths to see how to build a solid defense. One coach studied the game films of his competition so that he could predict what they would do under pressure situations. This vital piece of information allowed his team to go to the championships!
1. Satan Counterattacks Usually After a Victory. (Jud. 8:1-3)
a. Know that our battle is not against flesh and blood. (2 Cor.10:3-4)
b. Know that the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly (Eph.6:10-18)
c. Know that the battle is the Lord’s and He will give the enemy into our hands. (I Sam. 17)
d. Do not become bitter about the battle.
e. Do not let pride stand in the way of victory.
f. Satan will try to defeat us in our minds first.
g. Satan will next try to defeat us in our families and churches through internal division.
2. Gideon’s Response to Ephraim’s Complaints (Jud. 8:2,3)
a. Gideon recognized that unity was more important than personal pride.
b. Gideon extols, praises, and gives credit to the Ephraimites for their contributions.
c. Gideon was willing to take his hurts to the Lord.
d. Gideon did not let his guard down against the enemy.
e. Gideon kept a watchful eye out for attacks by the enemy.
3. Gideon Experienced Opposition From His Own People
a. The officials of Succoth lacked faith that Gideon would continue to be successful.
b. Jesus said, ``He who is not with me is against me.’’ (Mt.12:30)
c. People insisted on proof from Gideon.
d. The leaders of Succoth refused to offer assistance to Gideon.
e. Gideon won the victory over his enemies by finishing the job completely.
f. Gideon left the discipling to the Lord.
g. Gideon refused to compromise and trusted God for the ultimate victory!
XI. Verse by Verse Analysis
1. Definition - This method seeks to pick a passage of scripture and examine it in detail by asking questions, finding cross-references, and paraphrasing each verse. From there, you list your discovered insights and record your applications for your congregation, your own life, and your ministry. (Warren, p. 202, 1981)
2. History - Give a brief background of the verses you are planning to exposit. For example, Psalms 18:1-15 is called a victory song of David. He wrote it after ascending to the throne of Israel in accord with Samuel’s prophecy. This is a personal hymn of praise to God for all His protection and blessings through a dozen years or more of danger. This is a how-to for preachers who want to lead their people in worship!
3. Paraphrase - Write out the verse in your own words. Do not just resort to a Living Bible or something similar. Try to condense or expand it in language your audience is familiar with. For example for Ps.18:1-3 one might write,’’It is you, O Lord, whom I love for you provide my strength. You are my defender, protector, stay, shield, haven, refuge, and rescuer. Only to you can I run to and find safe harbor.
In you I have great confidence to go forth as I contemplate my salvation, my security, and my sustenance. Lord, I will continue to beseech you, the only one worthy of worship. Oh, Lord you will save me from my enemies, attackers, and accusers.’’
d. Questions, Answers & Observations Note any words, phrases, or concepts that bear particular attention. For example, ``What picture does David offer of God in verses 1-3? What tone of exclamation is David using? What metaphors, similes, and analogies does David use to describe God and what makes them significant? How does verse three introduce the purpose of the Psalm? What do the ``cords of death’’ in vs.4 refer to? What do the ``cords of the grave coiled around me’’ mean? What is the significance of the phrase, ``the earth trembled around me’’ in verse 7? Verse 8 says, ``Smoke rose from his nostrils, consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.’’ How is David describing God or is this a heavenly theophany that is to be feared as a heavenly Warrior descending in wrathful attack upon David’s enemies? What do the cherubim mean in vs.10? How does God deliver David from his enemies in verses 16-19? What are the deep waters referring to in vs.16? What do the spacious places refer to in vs.19? How is David’s righteousness rewarded in verses 20-24. Is David bragging about his righteousness in verses 20,24 or what does he mean? What is meant by vs. 25- 27, ``You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty?’’ When David says, ``You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning’’ what does he mean? In verses 46-50 how does David conclude his praise and worship to God for His deliverance? What lessons can we learn from David’s praise to God in verse 43 and the overall Psalm 18?’’
ANSWERS - David refers to God his fortress, refuge and deliver since he has just been rescued from Saul and other enemies and lifted to the throne of Israel. David depicts his experiences in language of real mortal danger. Overall, the Psalm is one of praise, thanksgiving, and victorious credit to God for His deliverance and promotion. David depicts God as both one who is loving and also mighty. God’s deliverance has been through military, spiritual, emotional, financial, social, and political means. God is not limited to any one area of deliverance. The cords of death & the grave that David mentions refer to the predicaments that surrounded him. To David, it seemed as if he were as good as dead at the time, but God had snatched him from the jaws of death (Personified). The Lord came to him as a heavenly warrior with His wrathful attack upon David’s enemies. The cherubim were a symbol of royalty as bearers of the throne-chariot of God. The deep waters in vs.16 refer to the threatening forces of destruction or circumstances that faced David. In many of the myths of those days, chaotic waters were depicted as many headed monsters of the deep which could only be subdued by the creator-God.
Therefore, these forces were linked with anything that in human experience troubled the security of life. David’s righteousness is not a boast, but is that which is a reward from a benevolent King. David has not reversed roles with Saul. Vs. 27 gives us the theme of the chapter. God saves the humble, but brings low those whose eyes are haughty (Saul). David has now been made the head of nations. He has endured the threats of people he knew and did not know. Now he proclaims God for exalting him and avenging his enemies. All of these deliverances are done in the context of God’s promises, His Abrahamic covenant with David as the chosen descendant of the line which will bring forth Christ, David’s descendant! We share in these promises and blessings in Christ. We can call on God for our deliverance from our enemies as well, but only as we confess, ``Not my will, but your will be done!’’
OBSERVATIONS -
1. God is described as a source of strength. vs. 1
2. David sees God as a rock, fortress, & deliverer.
3. David describes his problems as the cords of death, as the torrents of ungodliness, & as the cords of the grave. All of these run parallel in comparison to each other.
4. As a result of David’s hardship, he refuses to become bitter, but calls on God for help. God hears David’s cry and delivers him. God delivers the humble and puts down the proud. The causes and effect relationships are numerous throughout the chapter. We can take these as promises for us who live humbly, blamelessly, & righteously.
INTERPRETATIONS -
1. A refuge, rock, & fortress all refer to positions of defense. David is not the aggressor, but he looks to the Lord for protection. We are not to be on the offensive against our enemies. We are to call on God to vindicate, avenge, and protect us from those who would seek to do us harm. God is perfectly capable of dealing with anyone who would harm his children, accuse us, or threaten us with intimidating forces!
2. The Lord will reward the humble, the meek, the righteous, and the pure in heart. It may not be when or how and what we want, but God knows what is best for each of us. For some of us, the rewards would swell our heads with harmful pride, so the Lord holds back on giving us too much. For others God knows our tolerance index and He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength.
3. God assures us with confidence that keeps our lamp burning. He will not allow our influence to be minimized. He will help us progress, advance, and move forward. He will make our enemies turn their backs in flight, particularly the demonic forces who would seek to destroy us.
4. The horn of salvation is a symbol of power for protection and defense. To have one’s horn lifted up by God is to be delivered from disgrace to a position of honor and strength!
A. Cross-References - Find correlating verses in your Bible or in your concordance to the verses you are analyzing. Identify key words, phrases, or concepts that you are comparing or contrasting with your references. (Warren, p. 203, 1981)
1). Strength - Ps.51:17 2). Rock -Deut. 32:18, Fortress, Ps.144:2, Deliverer, Ps.19:14 Shield - Ps.28:7, Horn, Ps.75:10, Stronghold, Ps.59:9
B. Insights - Having looked at the words, phrases, and concepts in the verses, write down any insights you have gained. These could be further extensions of observations, interpre-tations, correlations, applications, evaluations, or communications.
For example, there are several key elements in Psalm 18 worth noting. They follow this pattern:
1. Introduction & Praise 2. Call of distress 3. Appeal to God 4. Deliverance 5. Testimony - It is an example for all of us to follow when we face hardships, enemies, and difficulties. We should begin by praising God for who He is. When our focus is clear then we can begin to call on Him for deliverance. As we describe our conditions, God will assure us that the humble will be exalted and the righteous delivered from the hands of our enemies. By giving testimony to others of our victory God will receive greater glory and His work will grow among the peoples. We can extol God for His victory over Satan, circumstances, problems, and enemies. We need not lose heart as God exalts us above our foes. We can sing His praise triumphantly who never fails to show kindness to his anointed children!
g. Personal Applications
EVALUATIONS - We can use Psalm 18 as a criterial reference for measuring the effectiveness of our personal and group worship. We should remember His attributes, His past victories, recount our personal deliverances from our enemies, express our praises to God for His promises. We do not have to approach God with heavy doctrinal truths, but can draw near to Him with our personal pleas for deliverance. God is interested in each problem that we have. He looks upon the afflictions of us all. Not one wicked deed escapes God’s notice. The awful deeds of the evil men will be repaid in full measure. God does not want us to be timid, but strong, powerful, and courageous for Him. Let us exalt the Lord triumphantly in advance as He assures us victory over our foes!
APPLICATIONS - I will openly declare all the deliverances that God gives to my congregation. I will give room for members to share how God has rescued them from dangers, afflictions, and suppression of their enemies, during the worship services. This Psalm instructs us in how worship can take on a personal enrichment.
COMMUNICATION - Let us read this Psalm in terms of how God will protect us from financial, societal, spiritual, and domestic hardships this week! Let us make a list of the ways God has rescued us from disaster and share them with one non-christian as a witness of God’s saving power! My prayer life will be strengthened as I pray these verses back to my Rock, Fortress, & Deliverer!
SERMON OUTLINE
Propositional Statement or Thematic Question - What does David teach us about dealing with our enemies?
1. Consider the Characteristics of God. (Psalm 18:1-3)
2. Call to the Lord for help. v.3
3. Be assured that God will deliver you. (18:7-29)
4. Rejoice in advance at all your blessings. (18:30-50)
Special Occasion Sermons
A. A Wedding Sermon
On pages 216-219 of Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor a sermon is given to show how to preach a message during a wedding ceremony. It can be used as a model for constructing other wedding messages.
``How To Gain Christ’s Blessings, Sanction, and Presence in Our Marriages!’’ (Jn.2:1-11, Eph.5:22,23)
1. Recognize that marriage was given by God to provide man with a helper, a supporter, and a companion.
2. Recognize that Christ performed His first miracle at a wedding.
a. He wanted people to realize that God is willing to work miracles in marriages.
b. He wanted people to realize that apart from abiding in Him, any marriage will yield no real fruit.
c. He wanted to help people celebrate marriage.
d. He wanted his own mother to know that He was concerned about avoiding social embarrassment.
e. He wanted to show that He could respond with miracles in answer to faith.
f. He wanted to set a precedent in marriage of calling on God for all their provisions.
g. He wanted people to stay at peace with one another.
h. He wanted to recognize the legitimacy of certain customs in culture.
i. He wanted to show that He sympathized with the difficulties in marriage & wanted to help.
j. He wanted to show that God responds to those who are persistent with their requests.
k. He wanted to show that men must be willing to do whatever He commands them if they expect to see blessings!
l. He wanted to prove that only God is able to make marriage succeed.
m. He wanted to show that only God has the power to change seeming hopeless situations into successful triumphs.
n. He wanted to show how to deal with crises in marriage. Call to God for deliverance.
o. He wanted to show that when He answers prayer, He does it better than any man could.
p. He wanted to show that when God answers prayer, people will marvel at what great things God has done.
q. He wanted to show that weddings can be a place where people can place their faith in Christ as Savior, Lord, & miracle worker!
r. He wanted the wedding to begin with a pledge that, ``He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.’’
(Phil. 1:6)
B. A Funeral Sermon
Sometimes the most difficult sermon to preach, the funeral message is designed to instruct ministers on how to present the truths of a person’s life along with the precious promises of scripture regarding people’s fear of death and assurance of eternal life found in Christ Jesus. The model sermon is found on pages 220-223 of Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor.
``How Can We Be Assured of Victory Over Death?’’ (I Cor. 15:1-58)
1. Help people to see that fear of death is natural.
2. Help people to see that death means going to heaven or hell.
3. Help people to see that for Christians, death means promotion, the supreme graduation, & the ending of all our problems.
4. Help people to see that the power of sin, its penalties, & its presence are gone when a Christian ascends to heaven. (I Cor.15:55-57)
5. Help people to see that all other efforts to gain eternal life are vain except having faith in Christ.
6. Help people to see that only Christ has the power through his death, burial, & resurrection to let us escape from hell, judgment & eternal torment.
7. Help people to see that for Christians, death signals a beginning of a life where there will be no sorrow, tears, pain, or regret.
8. Help people to see that death, for Christians, means greater responsibilities.
9. Help people to see that death means final vindication for all the righteous.
10. Help people to see that death will reveal each man’s motives.
11. Help people to see that death will signal the issuance of rewards for our deeds.
12. Help people to see that what they sow on earth, they will reap in heaven or in hell. There are levels of rewards & punishments.
13. Help people to know that no ancestors will be worshipped only God!
C. A Send-Off Message
A model for giving someone a joyous and Biblical send-off is spot lighted on pages 224-226 of Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor. This combines the elements of well-wishing along with a scriptural appreciation for all that the person means to his friends remaining behind.
``How To Give Someone a Joyous and Biblical Send-Off!’’ (Psa.84:1-12)
1. Appreciate their Contributions
a. Your lives have given us a better picture of heaven.
b. Your home has given us a picture of our heavenly home.
c. You have welcomed the small and the great without partiality.
d. Your family has been characterized by a sense of worship, delight, & warm fellowship.
e. You have blessed all kinds of visitors during their times of tears.
2. The Valley of Baca (A Desolate Place) Have Been Enriched by You
a. The valley of Baca meant the place of weeping, hardship, & barrenness. It symbolizes the low times in people’s lives when they have no place to turn for help.
b. In your home people have felt open to share their problems without being condemned.
c. In your home people have been assisted in turning their tragedies into triumphs.
d. In your home people have been shown love, understanding, & physical assistance.
3. Our Response to Your Ministry
a. We want to pray for God’s favor as you assume new responsibilities.
b. We want to pray for God’s provision for all your needs.
c. We want to pray for your
continual influence on others.
d. We want to continue your model ministry in our homes & lives.
e. We want to join together in giving God the glory, great things He has done.
f. We will look forward to rejoicing together with you in heaven
D. Church Growth and Church Planting Messages
Many times Pastors struggle for the right words and ways to go about encouraging their members to reach out with the gospel. On pages 227-240 of Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor four messages are given to help the minister deliver the goods about church growth and church planting. Jesus promised that He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. These valuable messages assist the Pastor in contributing to the cause of Christ’s construction projects for eternity.
1. Be sure You Are Being Led By God
a. Paul received a vision from God saying, ``Come over to Macedonia and Help us. (Acts 16:9)
b. Paul prayed, asked others to pray, and went in faith.
c. Paul prepared himself by walking with God continually.
d. Paul prepared himself by being a man equipped with the scriptures. (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
2. Paul Went to Potentially Ripe Areas With the Gospel
a. He surveyed the people’s interest, backgrounds, & locations.
b. He sought advice from local Christian leaders.
c. He sought to start house churches in seed family’s homes.
d. He studied the social, political, cultural, religious, & educational backgrounds of the people.
e. He gathered Christians together for prayer, worship, & teaching.
f. He built confidence in the people through assigning responsibilities.
g. He observed people’s responses & altered his approaches accordingly.
h. He became all things to all men that by all means he could save some.
i. He got on their level through conversation, visitation, & demonstrations.
j. He chose areas where he could gain the greatest visibility, credibility, & transferability for the gospel.
``How To Overcome Tribalistic Attitudes That May Hinder the Growth of the Church!’’ (Acts 11:1-18)
1. How Peter Learned To Conquer His Tribalistic Attitudes
a. Paul rebuked Peter for his tribalistic double standards. (Gal. 2:11-21) Peter was treating his Jewish brethren one way & the Gentiles
another way.
b. Paul wanted Peter to know that tribalism would harm the growth & purposes of the church.
c. Paul showed Peter that observing Jewish laws was a retreat back to the Old Testament laws. This would be nullifying the grace of Jesus Christ!
d. Paul dispelled Peter’s fears of rejection in Gal. 2:26-29 by saying, ``There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’’
2. Peter Was Able to Overcome His Prejudices in a Dream (Acts 11:2-18)
a. Peter was able to respond to the criticism of his Jewish brothers for allowing the Gentiles into the faith.
b. Peter was able to respond to the criticism of his Jewish brothers for eating with Gentiles.
c. Peter defended himself by explaining his dream.
d. Peter did not let his tribal customs overshadow the truth of scripture.
e. Peter refused to enslave himself to tribalism because he knew the awful price. (Rom. 6:16)
f. Peter obeyed God who told him not to call anything impure that had been given to him by God.
g. Peter helped start the first Gentile church in Caesarea with Cornelius.
h. Peter explained to the Jews that those who would oppose the Gentiles receiving the faith would be in danger of opposing God!
i. Peter was able to say in I Pet. 1:22, ``With a sincere love for your brothers you should love one another fervently from the heart.’’
j. Peter recognized that while cultures differ, roles differ, & customs differ, we may serve God with unity in our diversity.
k. Peter recognized the importance of accepting one another as Christ accepts us for the glory of God.
E. Youth Ministry Messages
So often the youth ministry is neglected or the potential of the youth is under utilized. On pages 241-250 of Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor there are two excellent sermons that have been used throughout the country in inspiring and instructing leaders and youth to maximize their gifts for the work of service through the youth ministry in the church. Without the youths’ involvement, our churches are only one generation away from extinction & insignificance!
``How To Minister to Youth’’
1. Recognize the needs of youths (Felt, Perceived, & Real Needs)
a. I Tim. 4:12 should be the theme of our youth ministries, ``In speech, conduct, love, faith, & purity, show yourself to be an example to the believers.’’
b. Youths need to submit to the elders without submitting to their methods of ``Putting them in their place.’’ (I Pet. 5:5,6)
c. Encourage the senior generation to give youths opportunities.
d. Seek to understand the changing culture of youths.
1). Their identities, roles, status, behaviors, & goals.
2). Their customs, music, education, & relationships.
e. Youths are looking for leaders, role-models, & teachers that can guide, love, and & serve as examples of Godly lifestyles.
f. Youths are looking for leaders who will directly involve themselves with youths’ problems.
g. Jesus Christ spent the majority of His ministry years discipling young men because of their potential
h. Youths need special educational programmes that will provide:
1). Biblical guidelines 2). Response to their needs 3). Aims 4). Relevant methods 5). Appropriate & sufficient materials 6). Appealing programmes 7). Administrative leadership 8). Organization 9). Periodic evaluations & feedback.
i. Youths will follow if properly led. (Lk. 6:40) Jesus said, ``Every pupil when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.’’
j. Senior Pastors must realize that a house divided against itself will not stand. Youths must be allowed to take responsibilities of leadership or the church is only one generation away from insignificance.
k. A special youth department must be created inside & outside of the church to respond to the spiritual needs of young people.
l. Provide special training in topics relevant to youths:
1). How to Choose a Life Partner
2). How to Choose a Career
3). How to Know the Will of God For your Life!
4). How To Diagnose Problems & Solve Them Successfully.
5). Etc.
F. Children’s Messages
In order to maximize our children’s ministry potentials we need to give people tools to preach, teach, and inspire our children for Jesus Christ. On pages 251-253 you will find two model messages that you can give your children’s workers to be used in a children’s church service. Naturally, you will want to develop a series of messages, but these two messages will give you examples on how to begin.
``How To Avoid Trouble’’
1. Count the cost (Lk.14:25-44)
2. Hold firmly to your faith (Heb. 4:14)
3. Be willing to commit yourself to God’s will above everything else. (Rom. 12:1,2)
``How To Overcome Spiritual Fruitlessness!’’ (Mt.10:8)
1. People are happiest when they are giving since we are created in the image of God. (Jn. 3:16)
2. Realize that God will reward those who are fruitful. (Lk.19:11-27)
3. Abide in the Holy Spirit. (Gal.5:22,23)
4. Serve one another (2 Pet.1:3-8)
G. Object Lesson Messages
Many children, youth, men’s, and women’s fellowship meetings need lessons that spice up the teaching. On pages 254-257 you find two examples on how to use object lessons to help your learners visualize truths from the scriptures. Perhaps these will be the seed thoughts to your own book on relevant object lessons that you could use continually to illustrate as Jesus did with the fig tree, the seeds, and the fields.
``What are The Contrasting Results of a Proud and Humble Lifestyle?’’
1. Pride goes before destruction & a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Prov. 16:18)
2. God says, ``I hate pride & arrogance.’’ (Prov. 8:13)
3. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Prov. 11:2)
4. Rehoboam represents a man of pride. He made many unwise choices. (I Kgs. 12:1-24) He is represented by a BIG I. (Cut an ``I’’ out of paper)
5. Paul’s life is characterized by one who humility.
a. Paul said in Phil 3:4-8, ``I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.’’
b. The letter ``I’’, when the top part is folded down turns into a cross (Demonstrate this with the ``I’’ cut from paper). The resulting cross is
symbolic of how Paul bowed his head before Christ in order to become like Him. He said in Gal. 2:20, ``It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me.’’
``How To Overcome Hindrances in Studying the Bible!’’ (Wrap your Bible with seven strings allowing each one to represent one hinderance)
1. The first string represents illiteracy.
2. The second string represents laziness.
3. The third string represents indifference to God’s word.
4. The fourth string represents disobedience.
5. The fifth string represents prayerlessness.
6. The sixth string represents prejudice, bitterness, & resentment toward others.
7. The seventh string represents doubt!
H. Evangelistic Sermons
So many ministers struggle to come up with material that will be suitable for winning the lost for Christ. On pages 258-265 of Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor you will find two model sermons to help you win people to Christ the way our Lord did with Zacchaeus. Perhaps you will have many others to add to this collection to aid your people in making the gospel simple enough for everyone to understand and receive.
``How to Win the Lost For Christ!’’ (Luke 19:1- 10)
1. Initiate the witness by visiting people. (Lk.19:1-4)
a. Jesus traveled down to Jericho to seek & save those who were lost.
b. Jesus was willing to go to where the needy, hopeless, & hurting were.
c. Jesus also made Himself available for people to come to Him.
d. Jesus approached Zacchaeus in a culturally acceptable way. It was an honor for someone to visit another’s home.
e. Jesus was willing to suffer shame, rejection, & misunderstanding to win Zacchaeus.
f. Jesus’ invitation, ``I want to stay at your house,’’ is still open to every human heart today. Sadly, many are saying, ``There is no room at the inn!’’
g. Jesus was not partial to any tribe, class, occupation, or man or woman.
2. The Effect of Christ’s Witness on Zacchaeus.
a. Zacchaeus wanted to know Christ as many people do today.
b. Zacchaeus did not let his physical limitation stop him from seeing Jesus. Many people, however, claim weak excuses for not knowing Christ.
1). Social - ``I was not born into a Christian family.’’
2). Family - ``My parents gave birth to a Christian so I do not need to be born-again.’’
3). Educational - ``I cannot read.’’ Or, ``Christianity does not make rational sense to me.’’
4). Financial - ``I am wealthy & successful so I do not need any help.’’ Or, ``I am poor & all the church wants is money so why should I become a Christian?’’
5). Self-Image - ``I am unworthy to come to Christ.’’ Or, ``I am happy in myself, why should I admit that I am a sinner.’’
6). Background - ``I am a Muslim.’’ Or, ``My people have been Christians for generations, why should I think that I need to repent, I haven’t done anything wrong!’’
7). Friends - ``If I become a Christian I will lose all my friends.’’
8). Philosophy - ``I do not believe that a good God would send anyone to hell.’’
9). Traditional Religions - ``Our ancestors will prepare a place for me in the after life.’’
Jesus said, ``I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me!’’ (Jn.14:6)
3. Develop a Friendship
a. Before Christ converted Zacchaeus, he befriended him. (Lk. 19:5-7)
b. Christ identified with Zacchaeus at his point of need. The poor man probably had few friends.
c. Tax-gatherers were ranked with adulterers, panderers, flatterers, & sugar-daddies for the Romans.
d. Jesus said, ``Come down immediately. He did not hesitate to invite Zacchaeus. He recognized the urgency of making a decision for salvation.
e. Jesus recognized that the lost can be won when we are willing to love them for who they are.
f. Jesus did not ask Zacchaeus to change before He accepted him.
g. Jesus did not put any stumbling blocks in Zacchaeus’s way.
4. The Response of the Unsaved
a. Zacchaeus had a change of heart.
b. Zacchaeus repented & believed.
c. Zacchaeus changed from a wanton life of pleasure to a life of service
d. Zacchaeus was willing to make things right with those he cheated.
e. spoke in the present tense. ``I give half of my belongings to the poor.’’
f. Zacchaeus was willing to expose his wrong deeds publicly. ``If I have cheated anyone of anything, I will pay him back four times.’’
5. Christ’s Declarations of Change
a. Christ declared Zacchaeus to be a true believer.
b. Christ can save and transform the hopeless, the lonely, the wicked, the liars, the cheaters etc. into Godly people.
c. Christ wants to give everyone a chance to be saved. There is no one on earth who is hopelessly lost.
