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Homiletical Theology: What makes a great sermon?

saturneptune

New Member
He and his hero Paul Washer need to spend some time in the trenches preaching to the same body every week and leading a church week in and week out in fulfilling God's purpose for the church as well as getting personally involved in the lives of the lost in their community.

Lobbing sermons from a distance is the cheap seats. All either one of them do is show their ignorance of ministry. It doesn't take a lot of knowledge to criticize from a distance but it sure takes a lot of hutzpa.

As mentioned in another thread, Paul Washer slithered into our local congregation to speak twice, two times too many. His entire presentation was demeaning, disrespectful, and nothing but damaging to the cause of Christ. He presented a slide show before his sermon that centered on him and his Jungle Jim adventures in Peru. His sermons are a circus side show, and he is a disgrace. This person brings nothing but dissention and division in a local church.
 
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evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
As mentioned in another thread, Paul Washer slithered into our local congregation to speak twice, two times too many. His entire presentation was demeaning, disrespectful, and nothing but damaging to the cause of Christ. He presented a slide show before his sermon that centered on him and his Jungle Jim adventures in Peru. His sermons are a circus side show, and he is a disgrace. This person brings nothing but dissention and division in a local church.

What of the churches he speaks in that disagree with you and love and welcome Paul? How do you answer them?
 

Tom Butler

New Member
The pastors I have served under were a diverse group. Some preached only expository sermons; some mainly topical, and some did both. One of my pastors taught homiletics at Mid-Continent University (where I now serve on the board of trustees). He taught his ministerial students to eschew what he called "topical trash" and preach expository sermons only

As part of a final exam, each student had to preach a sermon to the class. One student preached a topical sermon. He got an F. When the student received his grade, he stormed into the professor's office. "You gave me an F. God told me to preach that sermon."

The professor replied: "God told me to give you an F."
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
The pastors I have served under were a diverse group. Some preached only expository sermons; some mainly topical, and some did both. One of my pastors taught homiletics at Mid-Continent University (where I now serve on the board of trustees). He taught his ministerial students to eschew what he called "topical trash" and preach expository sermons only

As part of a final exam, each student had to preach a sermon to the class. One student preached a topical sermon. He got an F. When the student received his grade, he stormed into the professor's office. "You gave me an F. God told me to preach that sermon."

The professor replied: "God told me to give you an F."

In general you are correct, however can God not work topically? But yes I sees your point in that there are TOO MANY monkeys in pulpits across out land that only teach on self-help, success, and practically and never dive into theology.

Churches like this one are a prime example.

http://wearepcc.com/adults/men/
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They need to read how Stephen was stoned, and the persecutions that many christians face all over the world. They should also go to downtown San Francisco and do some open air preaching and watch how people will mock and spit on them before the day is done!!
 

preachinjesus

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Given the evidences of early Christian and Second Temple Judaistic homiletical forms the expository style we are most familiar with today is almost entirely unknown to the NT era. Aspects of it exist, but (and particularly I'm thinking of Jewish midrashism) the topical and allegorical approaches dominated that era.

It's always curious to hear arguments for an expository form that makes it out to be the NT model when, in fact, there are clear examples of other forms being used.
 

quantumfaith

Active Member
Given the evidences of early Christian and Second Temple Judaistic homiletical forms the expository style we are most familiar with today is almost entirely unknown to the NT era. Aspects of it exist, but (and particularly I'm thinking of Jewish midrashism) the topical and allegorical approaches dominated that era.

It's always curious to hear arguments for an expository form that makes it out to be the NT model when, in fact, there are clear examples of other forms being used.

A voice of reason. Thanks for your insight.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Peter's Sermon, Acts 2:14-41

Opening, reference to current event, folks who had appeared drunk.

Explanation, these demonstrated the partial fulfillment of Joel 2:28 and following.

Now listen to the words of Jesus, who is well attested by signs and wonders. This man delivered up according to God's predetermined plan, you nailed to the cross. Here Peter convicts the audience of their wretchedness.

Peter then doubles down, God raised Jesus from the dead!

Using another OT reference, Peter demonstrates Jesus is greater than King David, whose body rots to this day.

Still using David, Peter tells his audience that David spoke of Jesus and His resurrection.

And then, Peter tells them that it was Jesus who poured out the Spirit, they themselves had witnessed.

Finally, Peter draws it to close, restating His main point, God made Jesus both Lord and Christ.

Seeing that people had been moved, Peter gives an invitation.

In summary we see Peter used current events, biblical illustrations, and evidence his audience was familiar with.

But the topic was not abortion, Obama, states rights, or Duck Dynasty. It was Christ, first last and always.
 

Don

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
In general you are correct, however can God not work topically? But yes I sees your point in that there are TOO MANY monkeys in pulpits across out land that only teach on self-help, success, and practically and never dive into theology.

Churches like this one are a prime example.

http://wearepcc.com/adults/men/

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They need to read how Stephen was stoned, and the persecutions that many christians face all over the world. They should also go to downtown San Francisco and do some open air preaching and watch how people will mock and spit on them before the day is done!!

So people who were/are being raised in ungodly homes with ungodly examples don't need to hear what the bible says about finances, relationships, and the other things identified in that series? They just need to open-air preach and get spit on, and all the other things in their lives will fall into place?
 

Jkdbuck76

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
In summary we see Peter used current events, biblical illustrations, and evidence his audience was familiar with.

But the topic was not abortion, Obama, states rights, or Duck Dynasty. It was Christ, first last and always.

Logic and reason. Thanks, Van!
 
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