If you're reading this, then theres a fair chance that you've listened to your share of sermons. You may even be a connoisseur of sermons. So what is it that we should be expecting in a sermon? What does faithful biblical preaching look like? And what is the point of the sermon? Throughout the Scriptures, Gods faithful servants are called to speak what God has said, not adding or subtracting to his word. For example:
"You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you." Deuteronomy 4:2
"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar." Proverbs 30:5-6
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Revelation 22:18-19
Jesus himself warned the Pharisees of the danger of invalidating or nullifying Gods Word by our own traditions (Mark 7:13). This is the danger when the point of the sermon is different from the point of the passage.
Jesus said that his teaching was like that of every faithful teacher of God when he told them, My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me (John 7:16). Because we believe that the Bible is the Word of God, the faithful preachers job is to speak what God has spoken. This means the main point of the passage should be the sermons main point. And so the point of the sermon is to expose the meaning of what God has spoken, making it the point of the sermon and applying it to life by showing its relevance to life today.
"You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you." Deuteronomy 4:2
"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar." Proverbs 30:5-6
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Revelation 22:18-19
Jesus himself warned the Pharisees of the danger of invalidating or nullifying Gods Word by our own traditions (Mark 7:13). This is the danger when the point of the sermon is different from the point of the passage.
Jesus said that his teaching was like that of every faithful teacher of God when he told them, My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me (John 7:16). Because we believe that the Bible is the Word of God, the faithful preachers job is to speak what God has spoken. This means the main point of the passage should be the sermons main point. And so the point of the sermon is to expose the meaning of what God has spoken, making it the point of the sermon and applying it to life by showing its relevance to life today.
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