I spent the better part of the last two weeks helping edit a book by my close friend K.P. Yohannan of Gospel for Asia. Occasionally he asks me to do this because English is not his first language.
K.P. is a marvelous preacher. He’s also a strong writer. As I worked on his new manuscript, I would say that it is next to impossible for a reader to miss what K.P. feels is important. He writes with passion about the plight of the Dalits, the untouchables of India, and especially about their children. For some 3000 years these hundreds of millions of people have been little more than slaves to their upper-caste masters.
In the past decade, K.P.’s mission organization has established schools where now some 60,000 Dalit children are being educated and taught about Jesus. The results have been spectacular. His goal is to raise that number to a half a million, and he wants his readers to prayerfully wrestle with whether or not they sense the Lord challenging them to help in this strategic effort.
His book paints an incredible picture of the need, but also of the great joy that comes to those who become sponsors. By the last page, readers know they need to make a decision one way or the other.
This is what effective communication does. Relating this specifically to preaching, I believe that a good sermon presents the case for living Christ-like in a given manner, explains clearly what that involves, and then encourages people to take the necessary steps to get there.
Here’s a good question to ask yourself as you put your next message together. What part of my sermon do I think is important for my people to wrestle with, not only while I am preaching, but during the week that follows as well? If nothing comes to your mind, or you have to admit your answer is rather feeble, you probably won’t be preaching a sermon that will be thought about for very long!
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You can learn how to develop highly relevant Sunday sermons that grab the attention of your congregation and help your listeners respond effectively to the deep truths of God’s Word. David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
