Sermon Advice

[Maintenanceguy]

I believe I'm a pretty good teacher. Sitting at the table with others reading the Bible together, I have a lot to offer. God is present in that place and some times I feel like I'm on fire. Put me on stage in front of an audience and not so much. I need interaction, everyone working and participating together to figure out God's word. When I'm solo talking TO people instead of talking WITH people it's no where near as good.

Some things I've figured out that help me when I'm talking TO a group is (1) have a PowerPoint with an outline of your whole sermon. Let them know where your starting, where your going, and where you're ending up. It helps to keep the audience from wandering away mentally. (2) I can't tell stories from life and tie it to the topic the way a good preacher can. I don't know why but "when I was a boy..." just isn't my style and it's awkward and forced for me. So I just teach. The sermon probably isn't as interesting without some modern day anologies but pretending by using somebody else's style is going to be worse than my boring style. And (3) I used to try to keep my "lecture" short and get it over with so I wasn't holding anybody up with my boring style. Not any more. There's important stuff in scripture and I'm not going to rush it. I may divide it up over a couple of days if it's long enough to lose the audience but we're going to take the time needed to figure this out!

I think what changed was me realizing that my delivery and engagement wasn't why I'm standing here on stage. God's word is the focus and I'm not that relevant in the experience. Being less important has made me more comfortable and confident and made me better at it...even if I'm not great at it.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

They will love you. Why? Because you are lovable and sincere. Your love for God is genuine. People sense that.
That is what they respond to as much as anything else. Share what you know. You are gifted. But don't think
about that. Haha. Just be grateful for the gifts and opportunities God has given you to serve Him. You'll do great.

Thank you Magenta,

This is great advice. I just need to trust that if Jesus can use average blue-collar fishermen, He can use this blue-collar painter.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Hello brother. Plow deep. Im sure your familiar with 1 Timothy chapter 4. Lot of folks are listening to misguided preachers. And these shepherds are watering down God's word. Its like this. If they won't accept sound doctrine and reject you or any other shepherds. We don't want them. We're not going to beg anyone to abide by sound doctrine.

Matthew chapter 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet.

Body of Christ is not searching for popularity contest. We tell the truth. If people want to listen to doctrine of devils, then move on, and don't look back. We're here to serve Jesus and not please anyone. Jesus told what to do. Peace.

Thank you J55,

Your exactly right. That is exactly what brought me to the church was how it felt real and not entertainment.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

God puts His treasure in clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:7). In the old movies about treasure hunters, you see treasure in old wooden boxes. No one gets excited about the box. It's only of use to contain the treasure. Of course, God values His people highly and loves all humanity, so that's where the analogy falls over.

God will transform us if we are willing. 2 Timothy 2:20 & 21

"A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.…"

We cleanse ourselves by seeking deliverance by God's power. Some things are easy to let go of, others very hard. Yet the gospel is much more than going to heaven when you die. It is Luke 4:18 as well as John 1:12.

Very well said. I need to meditate on these scriptures. Very inspiring.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Maybe I am oversimplifying things, but it seems to me that you are focusing way too much on how the word will be delivered by you. In other words, the power is in the word itself. Just put it out there as best as you can. If what you say is true, then the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will do the real work of bringing the increase.

You're not oversimplifying. I struggle with anxiety so much of my life is all about trying not to overthink and just trust the Lord.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

I believe I'm a pretty good teacher. Sitting at the table with others reading the Bible together, I have a lot to offer. God is present in that place and some times I feel like I'm on fire. Put me on stage in front of an audience and not so much. I need interaction, everyone working and participating together to figure out God's word. When I'm solo talking TO people instead of talking WITH people it's no where near as good.

Some things I've figured out that help me when I'm talking TO a group is (1) have a PowerPoint with an outline of your whole sermon. Let them know where your starting, where your going, and where you're ending up. It helps to keep the audience from wandering away mentally. (2) I can't tell stories from life and tie it to the topic the way a good preacher can. I don't know why but "when I was a boy..." just isn't my style and it's awkward and forced for me. So I just teach. The sermon probably isn't as interesting without some modern day anologies but pretending by using somebody else's style is going to be worse than my boring style. And (3) I used to try to keep my "lecture" short and get it over with so I wasn't holding anybody up with my boring style. Not any more. There's important stuff in scripture and I'm not going to rush it. I may divide it up over a couple of days if it's long enough to lose the audience but we're going to take the time needed to figure this out!

I think what changed was me realizing that my delivery and engagement wasn't why I'm standing here on stage. God's word is the focus and I'm not that relevant in the experience. Being less important has made me more comfortable and confident and made me better at it...even if I'm not great at it.

Thank you! This is comforting to hear. I believe we are probably very similar. Idk if all have more opportunities to preach after this but my goal is to just treat it like my Bible study classes. Which at first felt unnatural but after a few years, I feel more natural in a classroom setting. I understand the difference between talking to or with people. Talking with people helps provide feedback on the thoughts of the room which helps me see what are they hearing and understanding. Talking to people leaves out the feedback until afterward which for me is difficult because I want to know if I should slow down, explain something, or if I'm making things clear.