Right Truth, Wrong Text

When pastors ask me for my evaluation of a message, I have determined to always be gracious but honest.

I recall a conversation where I told someone that his sermon was effective, but would have been better if the text he used had actually supported what he was saying. He was using an Old Testament story that really didn’t teach what he was saying.

After an initial discussion, his response was, “Well, I agree that I stretched my text a bit.”

“You did more than that,” I replied. “You made the narrative say something it wasn’t saying at all!”

“But did you see the response of the people to the sermon?” was his counter.

“That’s because what you were saying was biblical, and your presentation was strong, especially your closing illustration. But, don’t get into the habit of making Scripture say something it doesn’t!”

There were any number of texts that would have worked for him. The one he chose didn’t. I caught this, and I am sure some others did as well. In the long run, this kind of error, if repeated, will undercut his ministry.

I’m glad people responded that morning to his preaching. But, I believe God used what he said in spite of more than because of.

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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?

Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?

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 Saturday or 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.

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