PERTINENT POINTERS FOR THE PRACTICAL PREACHER

Years ago, in ye England of olde, a preacher was known for his longwinded sermons. Upon being reproved by a church member for the inordinate length of his preaching, the pastor replied that the gentleman should maybe take a pinch of snuff, to prevent his falling asleep. He retorted, “Sir, why not put some snuff in your sermon!”

God has chosen the foolishness of preaching to please him. Here’s a few brief, but pertinent suggestions for those starting out as Gospel preachers. Maybe some old timers will also be blessed as they read these simple pointers!

1. START WITH GOD’S WORD

For the word of God is quick, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12)

I know this sounds over simplified, but so many preachers start with an idea and then try and find a verse or a passage to fit. We need to start with God’s Word in our preparation, and then see where God leads us.

2. BATHE YOUR SERMON IN PRAYER

“…men ought always to pray…” (Luke 18:1)

Before you preach, take as much time as needed to walk, kneel or drive, spending time with God in prayer. This may be hours or even days.

3. PRACTICE DELIVERING YOUR SERMON

Preach to the trees in your back yard. Preach to the cars as they drive along your street. Preach to your pet canary. Practice delivering your message.

4. DON’T WAFFLE

Unless the Holy Spirit leads, don’t head off on rabbit trails. Waffling may occasionally be amusing, but usually it tends to confuse, bore or even anaesthetise.

5. SIMPLE IS BEST

Profundity is usually clothed in simplicity. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the supreme preacher, was ever so simple in His preaching and teaching. Don’t mistake depth for complexity.

6. ILLUSTRATE

And he began to speak unto them by parables. (Mark 12:1)

Illustrations are like windows; they let in the light. A building’s foundation is not built from windows, but a building without light is dull indeed.

7. BE COMPLETELY, UTTERLY CLEAN

“…let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit…” (2 Cor 7:1)

Before ANY ministry, we need to set apart a time to ask God to search our hearts for any sin, and having found that sin, confess it. God only uses clean vessels.

8. ASK GOD FOR HIS POWER EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU PREACH

“…for he taught them as one that had authority…” (Mark 1:22)

Without Holy Spirit power we are just public speakers, toastmasters.

9. PUT A HOOK IN YOUR SERMON

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22)

There must an application. The preacher transfers knowledge, into action.

10. KEEP IT SHORT, STEVE

“…as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft.” (Acts 20:9)

Dr Tom Williams, Dr David Gibbs, Dr Wayne Sehmish and a select group of others can preach for an hour and a quarter and it seems as though they have just started! Guess what? Most of us are not this gifted. Young preachers especially need to err on the side of brevity. You cannot help a sleeping audience!

11. DON’T EXHAUST YOUR AUDIENCE

Keep something in reserve. Your people should be left wanting just a little bit more than what you have given to them.

Don't forget to remember

We live in an essentially selfish world. Look after #1 is the mantra of most in our western world. The Bible, of course, teaches distinctly otherwise.

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Hebrews 6:10)

We must never forget those who have influenced our lives for righteousness and the Gospel. Many have influenced yours truly for right, and for those individuals I am overwhelmingly grateful.

NORM HARRIS
Norm Harris was a NSW Baptist Union evangelist for many years. He was preaching at the Doyalson Baptist church the day I was converted. I can still clearly remember that Sunday morning meeting in the little church building. I don't remember what he preached on but I do recall walking to the front of the church, meeting the preacher and expressing my desire to have Jesus in my heart. Norm Harris is in Heaven now, but his Gospel legacy continues, even flourishes, to this day.

BOB MIDDLETON
Bob Middleton was an old man when I first met him. He was one of the most faithful personal workers I have ever come across. He loved to counsel people for salvation and that is exactly what he did with me as a seven year old lad. He led me to call upon the name of Jesus Christ for salvation. He also invested weeks of follow up in my life, encouraging me to memorize Bible verses of assurance. I am indebted to this dear man of God, an unsung hero in my life.

JACK PARKER
My father, Harry Young, died of a heart attack at the age of 38. I was then three years old. Until she remarried and I had a second dad, my dear mother had the good sense to make sure that there were strong male figures in my life. Jack Parker was one of these men. He was a family friend, and was more of an influence in my life than almost anyone else. He was a strong Bible believing Christian with principles. He took the time to instill in me a respect for the Lord's day. He also took the time to show a fatherless kid how to play cricket and how to kick a Sherrin football. My memories of Jack Parker the plumber are sweet indeed.

ALBERT HARPER
Probably the most revered figure in my lifetime was my grandpa. He was a unique man. Tough as nails, yet tender to his grandchildren. He was a strict disciplinarian. He was always up early, and spent much time reading his Bible and praying. He was the delight of my life, and any time spent with Grandpa was always treasured. Most nights we would read the Bible after dinner, after which he proceeded to read the Sydney Morning Herald and promptly fell asleep, right on cue.

BRIAN WENHAM
I owe an awful lot to this man, who incidentally is approaching the 40 year mark as pastor of the Condell Park Bible Church. I was called to preach, and trained, under his ministry. His scholarly rigour and unchanging habits have been an example to me for decades. One thing that always remains in my mind is his advice to, when preaching, start with the Bible and let God direct your thoughts. So many preachers prepare their sermons with preconceived ideas eg they search for a verse to fit their philosophy. We must start with the words of God and let the Holy Spirit determine our thinking and direction. I thank God for this man of God.

There have been many more individuals that have helped shape my life. Many have been promoted to glory while others still live. I could write for many pages on the influence of my mother Annette Phinn, Norm Scott, David Mitchell, Jack Hyles, Bill Wininger, Tom Williams and Wayne Sehmish, to name just a few. Time and space will not permit this. However, part of the righteous Christian life means not forgetting those who have laboured in love for our eternal benefit. We give glory to God for them all.

Support your local Jew

The default position of the “world community” is essentially anti-semitic. When a prominent occurrence takes place, such as the recent interception of supposed “humanitarian” Gaza blockade vessels, most media commentators frothed at the mouth, railing at Israel’s murderous intent. How different are the facts of the situation when compared to the media created perception of Israel’s guilt. None of this should come as any surprise to Bible believing Christians.

Ezekiel 25:15 “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it (Israel) for the old hatred;”

Hatred of the Jewish nation extends back several thousand years. Is Israel an innocent nation? By no means, but they are God’s chosen people. We need to learn to love that which God loves and hate that which God hates. Does God hate the Arabic nations? Again, by no means. God so loved the whole world. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die and rise again for the collective sins of the world. Therein lies the root problem of the world’s attitude to Israel. Jesus was 100% Jewish as well being 100% God. The world hates Israel because the world hates Jesus.

Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake...”

As Bible believers we must gladly take the reproach of Christ, and with it deliver the Gospel’s message of God’s love to a world enveloped with hatred. Only Christ can bring freedom from the bondage of sin.

Don't you worry about that!

I had the extreme privilege of spending some time with Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen earlier this week. At last, I was the proud recipient of a fine pumpkin scone. It seems Lady Flo hasn’t lost her culinary touch.

Lady Flo, approaching her 90th birthday this coming August (11th), served as a federal senator for 12 years before her retirement. She was the wife of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, the long serving former Queensland premier. Maybe Sir Joh did more for Queensland prosperity than any other person?

(After sending Joh a birthday greeting, oh, maybe ten years ago, I received a personal reply. It was signed, “Saved by the shed blood of Christ”, or something similar. It seems that Joh had a good personal understanding of Bible salvation.)

You will find here an interesting transcript of an ABC interview with Lady Flo back in 2005.

How long can patience last?

They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? (Jeremiah 5:8,9)

This world is fast rotting into a putrifying mess. Jeremiah lamented similar social conditions in the nation of Israel. God fed them to the full, yet they straightway lusted after that which was not theirs, becoming animals in the process. God is eminently patient, but his patience is not everlasting. He has to deal with sin, he does and he will again.

I was sickened to read in my local city's newspaper last Saturday (27/03/10) about a city council plan to bring a "signature event" to the Coffs Coast. That event is to be a "Coast Out", a weekend celebration of all things homosexual. The idea is to put Coffs Harbour on the map as a destination. That it will certainly do. On God's map of judgment, that is.

How far do you think we can sin? How far into filth and iniquity can a nation go before God says, enough is enough? God has to visit judgment on sin. That he is always so slow to act is testament to his mercy, his longsuffering and his love. But act he must, because he is holy.

How far can Australia sink before God sends righteous judgment? Sydney boasts itself as the "San Francisco" of the South Pacific. I would not boast about that. New Zealand boasts itself as being a non-religious, secular nation. It is chock full of weirdos and the like, bent on bringing the nation down to the moral gutter.

I would not be investing in real estate in coastal California. It may not be worth much now anyway, but after the coming earthquake(s), I don't think there will be much left. Judgment is coming. Even the locals realize this.

How far can our world go? Sodomy is now accepted by the wider community. Adultery is seen as a harmless fling. Living in sin is accepted as the norm, not something unusual. Drunkenness is not condemned, but rather promoted. The further this world descends into the cesspool of wickedness, the closer we are to God "visiting" his creation with unparalleled judgment.

How can I end such a depressing post with something positive? Easy.
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: (Ezekiel 33:11)

God is ever so merciful and patient. Turn from your sin to God while there is time. Jesus Christ died on Calvary's cross to provide a clear way to Heaven, forgiveness and life. There is still time if you will but turn. Now.

Thoughts on Thailand

I am sitting in my motel room in downtown Bangkok. It's hot outside. It's 9.49pm. It's crazy. Shouldn't everyone be home and tucked in bed by now? Not in Thailand. The city is buzzing, the shops are full, the streets are crowded, the beggars are begging, the music is blaring, the heat is exhausting. Thailand. Land of king and country. Land of elephants, crocodiles, temples, Buddhas and Chinese imitation mobile phones. Land of contrasts. Land of beautiful people, smiling faces yet the average Thai is desperate for answers to his desperate problems; What about my sin? What about attaining Heaven? What about the afterlife?

How Thailand needs the liberating reality of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Millions are enslaved to tradition, worshipping man made gods, lumps of wood and gold, yet never finding the Truth, because the Truth is a person, not a religion or a system.

My heart is saddened by the spiritual plight of Thailand. How we must pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send out labourers into his harvest.

Green world religion

Psalm 115:3,16 "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men."

There is a new religion on earth. It is the religion of green. That's right, the greens. I actually like the colour green. It is my favourite colour. I also like this planet. I really like trees, especially scribbly gums. I love animals, especially dachshunds, horses, wallabies and dolphins. I don't like cats. I like the Pacific ocean and the desert, but especially the mountains. (I was an avid bushwalker, but two wobbly knees have put paid to most hiking adventures these days.) However.....

This planet was given to us, by God, to use. Sure, we must not abuse it, but use it. God knew exactly what he was doing when he flooded the earth about 4000 years ago, and in the process made zillions of tonnes of fossil fuel for us to use. God created vegetables and fruit and animals for us to eat. He created the miraculous germinating seed, without which we would not last very long on this globe. God created the hydro cycle, where sea water evaporates and is returned to the earth via rainfall. He gave us the seasons, the hot and the cold. He gave us wind and water and currents and humidity. God knew what he was doing when he made this earth out of nothing.

The "green religion" has replaced the Almighty Creator God of Israel with "Mother earth". According to their (still developing) dogma, all creatures must be subservient to nature. People are here only to care for the earth. It is the trees and the grass and the dirt and the (imagined) deathly threat of carbon poisoning that must consume every waking hour's thought of our leaders and politicians. "Save the earth" is their catch cry.

The earth doesn't need saving, it is in good hands. People need saving. The SOUL that sinneth, it shall die. In any case, this old world has a use by date. The fire is coming. It will be made new, one day, by its Creator.

Even Bible believing Christians can be caught up with this new world wide cult. Resist, my brothers and sisters in Christ. There is a God. He is in complete control. He is Almighty God.

Is the physical world important? Of course it is. Should we be wasteful and extravagent in our day to day living? Of course not. Should we conserve power and resources? Of course we should, but it is the spiritual side of man that we should most be concerned about.

Heaven, Hell, life, death, forgiveness, judgment and Jesus Christ. These are the things (and the Person) that really matter.

Museums or miracles?

Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:

I was driving past this church back in August as I headed home from western NSW and couldn’t help but notice how a once obviously thriving church could suffer such a demise. All over this vast nation I see empty church structures. Even independent Baptist churches are closing down and selling their properties.

I know, the church is not a building, but turning a building into a museum or a restaurant or a house is symptomatic of the decline of the local church.

Why has this happened? I can think of several reasons. Firstly, His position of pre-eminence was taken over by something or someone else. Secondly, sin entered into the fellowship and God promptly removed the candlestick for His name’s sake. Thirdly, God had little involvement with the initial building of a church.

God is the master builder of the church. Except He constructs the building, it won’t amount to much. In fact, the Bible describes building without God as “labour in vain.”

Pastors build “their” churches on many things. It may be contemporary music with all its attendant trappings. It may be constructed by means of evangelism and personal witnessing. It may be built by programmes. It may be built by committees. It may have no structure at all. Some of these things obviously are good and necessary, others not so. What we have to consider is the fact that God must do the building. We are his servants, his co-labourers, but ultimately for a church to be grounded and strong, it must be built by God.

The same can be said for other facets of the Christian life. When witnessing, we can (and should) present the Gospel message as clearly and simply as possible, but in the end, God the Holy Spirit must convict and draw the sinner for the new birth to take place.

Our faith is in God, not a programme. I have been to some churches where God was programmed out of it. If the Holy Spirit did not fit in with the yearly schedule, then he wasn’t welcome. I suppose that’s what our Lord hinted at when he said that He was outside the church, knocking on the door (Revelation 3:20). Some churches have scheduled Jesus out of the church.

I once ministered at a church where the whole year was mapped out in minute detail, right down to the planning for “Watermelon Sunday”, “Hawaiian Sunday” and many other wild and wacky themed days. I can’t imagine our Lord Jesus promoting Watermelon Sunday on the mount. I just don’t seem to be able to picture the Apostle Paul posing for photos in his Hawaiian shirt on Mars Hill. Maybe I’m wrong here, but it just doesn’t fit in with my idea of New Testament church building.

Should we plan ahead? Yes. Should we do things decently and in order? Obviously. Should we have some big days or promotions? I think so. God will be pleased with extra efforts to reach lost people with the Gospel of Christ. However, I believe that we must wait on God, praying much for his direction, guidance and power as we yield ourselves as fellow labourers in the work of the ministry.

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)

I am neither a fatalist, a pessimist or a Calvinist, but God has to build his church. We must realise that for any work to be lasting and steadfast, God Himself must be pre-eminent.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)