What to preach about?

I say this not to be cross, but because you asked what would I do. I would decline to preach. I'm not called to preach. I'd rather someone that is called to preach fill the pulpit. So, the first question you should ask is whether you are called to preach?

 

The Old Testament has some great lessons. For example, each battle and each decission in the Joshua has a lesson for us today.

Also, I never assume that all in a group are saved, no matter who is in the congregation. I don't preach without at least mentioning salvation. The saved should not be offended and the lost need to be told.

 

I pastor a Southern Baptist church and I am preaching (teaching) the doctrines lined out in the Baptist Faith and Message, the fundamental doctrines the we believe as Southern Baptists. So far, it's been a pretty good study.

 

I know I'm probably not qualified to answer the OP, but my pastor did a study on "great doctrines of the bible" just recently. It was wonderful. It's amazing how many people who have been attending church all their lives are ignorant on doctrine.
You can get as in depth as you want and go for as long as you want.



So this would be a good study to do JKD.

 

You can never go wrong with the minor (in amount not content) prophets.

 

Avoid sermons that might chatise the church. Keep in mind that you are not the pastor. It's always safe to preach about Jesus!

 

What do YOU need to know more about? I have found that many times the questions that I have are common to others in the congregation also.

 

I join with you, Amy. I suspect that if we polled our congregations with the question "What makes one a Baptist," we might be shocked at the doctrinal illiteracy. We might also be shocked at the answers to "Why are you a Baptist?"

Here's another suggestion. Preach a message on "What Is the Gospel?"

Use I Cor 15 as your text. Two points: What it is, and what it's not.

Rhet also had a good idea about the Baptist Faith and Message.

 

Hey Jkd,
First let me congratulate you on a wonderful opportnity to share God's word. I thought that I might share a couple of thoughts with you concerning your question.

First, you need to talk to your pastor; you definitely don't want to step in and preach something that he was planning on covering in a series. As a pastor, I can't tell you how much it means to me when a guest or supply preacher shows me this courtesy.

Second, the idea of the basics of the faith needs to also be checked with the pastor. It occurs to me that the intro course that he is looking to teach might essentially be an introduction to the church and its foundational doctrines. If so, then he clearly did not want to do this in the Sunday Night service or he would have simply invited the new members to join the Sunday night congregation for such a series.

Regardless, since you are interested in preaching and your pastor is showing a great deal of trust in you, you need to honor that relationship by seeking advice from him. If you feel that the Old Testament is a congregational weakness (would not mention this to the pastor, unless he has expressed this view to you), ask what he would think about you covering some ground in a series through some of the great passages in the O.T.

Anyway, keep us updated as I am always interested in such things. I am glad that you love to preach and I rejoice that God is giving you such a wonderful opportunity. You will be in my prayers.

 

Passages from the sermon on the mount are always helpful when preached in proper context...

I consider that one of the most important passages from the Bible.. can you imagine being able to hear Christ PREACH!?

 

Sounds like a gem of a pastor.