The Sermon Project Part Two
Times-a-wastin’ so I’d better kick this business into high gear. I am going to integrate both of the suggestions made in response to the first post. I will use Michelle’s quote and suggest a reading schedule as a possible way to go as per Valencia. I think a good idea for starting off the sermon is to pose a series of questions the answers all of which are connected with immersing yourself in God’s word. Questions such as: How can I get to know God better? How can I determine what is true or false? How can I increase my faith? Or, how can we have better unity? This might be a good way to present this message in a positive light. Any suggestions for other questions or better wording of the questions are welcome here.
I also think it is a good idea to emphasize that this message is for myself as much as anybody. We all need to be more diligent with our personal Bible study. There have been periods in my life when I have been more diligent with my Bible study and periods when I have been less diligent. Also I can mention that whenever anyone gets up here and preaches or teaches it is predicated on the idea that everyone will go home and follow up with his or her own independent Bible research. (Acts 17:11) When Don read the previous post he characterized it as being on the topic of “personal responsibility” I am planning to use that characterization in my presentation also.
We all come from different and widely varied backgrounds. We all believe different things about the Bible some of these things are correct and some are incorrect. The Spiritual challenge facing us here today is to come together and be in agreement (have unity) on what the Bible actually says. We need to all grow together in our best understanding of what the word of God is telling us. None of this can be accomplished without each of us spending time with God’s word every day. This is an especially important message for the newbie. Habits now have to change. I was raised in a culture that did not include reading the Bible. In fact in my personal religious experience I was discouraged from reading through the Bible myself. Those of us who come from this sort of religious background need to firmly set our hearts on the task of making the Bible an integral part of our daily lives. Let me know what you all think of these points. The next post will start to look at some of the Scripture references I intend to use. Any suggestions are welcome.
James,
Wow, thanks so much for doing this. Contemplating your questions is a good exercise. The idea of “personal responsibility” provides a nice frame for this examination. When I read that term, I remembered when I was a “newbie” I was given some simple advice: that we offer our prayers (questions) to God and He gives us answers through His Word. Seeing Bible study as a necessary part of our communication with our Father was profoundly helpful to me.
Valencia
A quick thought…Ephesians 4- The unity of the Spirit requires 7 things: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. For this discussion, think about the one faith. How are we (as a group) ever going to achieve one faith if we (as individuals) fail to study enough to even know what we believe? And if we don’t have one faith, how do we have true unity?
I’m gonna use this one also, thanks.