What Should We Preach?
The Scriptures are replete with subjects for sermons. When deciding on a sermon topic, consider these two suggestions:
First, we should preach the subjects on which Christ and His apostles preached.
Second, the subjects that Christ and the apostles emphasized by repetition we also should preach repeatedly.
For example, the second coming of Christ is referred to more than three hundred times in the New Testament. It was a favorite theme of both Christ and the apostles. Therefore, it is not only a subject that should be preached, it is also a subject that should be repeatedly preached. John Osborne.
Perception
"In matters controvertial my perception is very fine; I always see both sides of things, the one that is wrong and mine."
-Baker's Pocket Book of Religious Quotes.
Upgrade Your Effectiveness With Non-Christians
Peter Wagner, in Your Church Can Grow, contends that effectiveness with non-Christians decreases with maturity in Christ. If you are finding this true, take some helpful hints from Becky Manley:
1. Be Yourself.
God made some of us shy, others outgoing. We should praise Him for that. Remember, shyness is not an excuse to avoid relationships rather it is a means to love the world in a different way than an extrovert.
2. Be a Risk Taker.
Being a Christian means taking risks, risking that our love will be ignored. If you find yourself in a situation in which you believe God has put you, then accept the risk for His love's sake.
3. See Beneath the Crust.
Once we get beneath the surface of a person, we'll usually discover a sea of needs. We must learn how to interpret those needs correctly, as Jesus did.
4. Avoid the "Holy Huddle Syndrome.
" Don't be a "rabbit-hole Christian" whose only contacts with the world are those mad, brave dashes to and from Christian activities.
5. Be Positive!
Our attitude in responding to people is crucial.... If you communicate enthusiasm, not defensiveness, and carefully listen instead of sounding like a record of "Answers to Questions You Didn't Happen to Ask," non-Christians will become intrigued. -Evangelical Newsletter, Dec. 31,1976.
Bumper Sticker
"Don't follow me I'm lost!" (Meant to be humorous, but consider the spiritual implications!)
Religion Increasingly Important to Outstanding Teen-agers
Religion is playing an inereasinigly important role in the lives of outstanding teenagers, according to a poll of high school leaders in the United States. The survey, based on responses from 22,000 high achievers, was conducted by Who's Who Among American High School Students, of Northbrook, Illinois.
The students who believe religion plays a significant role in their own moral standards and actions increased from 63 per cent in 1986 to 99 per cent in the current poll. Fifty per cent said the role of religion is "very significant."
Collected by H. M. Tippet
"Empty wagons rattle loudest."
"If there were no difficulties, there would be no triunphs."
"Are you helping with solution, or contributing to the problem?"
"Perseverance is the ability to stick to something you're not stuck to."
"Power steering is what a person has when he lets God guide his life."
-from Wilma Ross Westphal, Tin Miner's Son, p. 154
Sermon Outline
What We Possesss, as found in Hebrews:
1. A deliverance - "Obtained eternal redemption" Hebrews 9:12
2. A relationship - "To call them brethren." Hebrews 2:11
3. A High Priest - "Such an High Priest." Hebrews 8:1
4. Access - "Boldness [liberty] to enter in." Hebrews 10:19
5. A hope - "Which hope we have." Hebrews 6:9
6. A city - "We seek one to come." Hebrews 13:14 -From Bible Themes for Busy Workers, by C. Inglis.
Henry Feyerabend writes from Oshawa, Canada.
