10 Things I Love About A Good Sermon

I thought my fellow ministers might enjoy seeing what my current Master's Commission students believe, regarding "what makes a good sermon":

1. Creativity of presentation, rather than dependence on the lecture format.
2. Includes illustrations, word-pictures and funny stories.
3. Makes use of visual aids.
4. Illuminates the Scripture, providing a passage’s historical and cultural context.
5. Relevance and applicability to the audience.
6. Content builds to a compelling main point.
7. Encourages the audience to action.
8. Provides examples and understanding of how to apply the truths presented.
9. Transparency and authenticity of the speaker.
10. Humble inclusiveness of the speaker (“we” messages rather than “you” messages).

Thank you to Pastor Anthony Jordan for starting off our Blog Year with a poem in the spirit of the prophets (see below). We so appreciate your gifts, brother. May the Lord enable us to take your words to heart.

The Lord's been reminding me of Paul's teaching in Acts 17:

26 From one man [God] made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Paul speaks of nations here, but ends with application to the individual. God has placed individual persons, including every individual in Pierce County, in the precise time and region ideally suited for their personal attempt to find God. It is no accident that the people within our circle of influence are there. Nor is it any accident that the Lord has placed each of us in those positions of influence.

Thank you, Lord, for placing me and each of my fellow ministers in this precise time and place!