Just recently a friend said to us, "The other Sabbath I went over to hear Elder_______ speak and I was really let down. He began his sermon with a terrific text. It could have been the basis for a wonderful sermon, there were so many things that could have been brought out. But the minister did little more than read it, and then pass on to mediocre things." This led us to think of how many times this experience of our friend has also come to us.
The greatest factor in the fruitfulness of a sermon, outside of the spirituality of the preacher himself and the work of the Holy Spirit, is the way in which the Scripture is used. How frequently a minister will read a text or passage of Scripture, packed with meaning and significance far beyond the words of the text itself, only to pass over it quickly with nothing new to offer.
A ready reference to other renderings of the text may fasten it much more securely in the mind of the hearer and bring forth added meaning and blessing. Also, a few brief comments relating to the setting of the text, the author, the circumstances under which the words were written, the author's own experience as related to his words—all will add considerable interest and illumination.
Sermons More Effective
Due consideration to the context of a passage may make a great difference in the effectiveness of the sermon. Instead of pulling a text out of a chapter without reference to what has gone before or to what follows, why not give it its proper setting? This may include a quick reference to the purpose of the entire book, or to the theme of the past chapters, or chapter. It may relate to the particular persons to whom the message was addressed.
The text or context may involve the name of some particular city, or country, as would be the case if some incident from one of Paul's missionary journeys was cited. Some extra digging for historical data will add luster to the text. This may involve some research in a Bible atlas or in a geography of the Bible.
When one considers, for example, the great Taurus mountain range that loomed before Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark as they thought of their journey beyond Perga up onto the central plateau of Asia Minor, on their first missionary journey, he has added insight into why John Mark might have decided it was too much for him.
Do Some Digging
If you are not already following this plan why not make it a rule in the development of your sermons to bring more illumination to the passages of Scripture used. It will take a little more time in the study. It will involve more digging. But the rewards to yourself will be invaluable, and the congregation will suddenly discover you have become a real Biblical preacher.
So note again these suggestions:
- Consider the different translations of the text. We now have a tremendous aid in The New Testament From 26 Translations.
- Check for Spirit of Prophecy comments or background information.
- Think of the author of the text. What experiences might he himself have had that would qualify him to speak on the subject --experiences of suffering, hardship, persecution, failure, loneliness, et cetera? What was the experience of the author when the passage was written? Think of David in his flight from Saul, or after his great sin; of Isaiah after the death of Uzziah; of Ezekiel in captivity; of Paul in prison; of John in exile.
- Consider the book in which the passage appears. Think of its general theme. What is the burden of the author? Examine the context.
- Take note of names and places. Check the biographical data. Become more familiar with the person (s) named in the text. Also, investigate the historical background of the places cited, whether it be a country, province, city, river, mountain, or plain. This will involve a search into the geographical features of the area. It will also take into account the added light of archeological explorations.
- Review also the contemporary history. This would be especially vital when dealing with Old Testament personalities and events, but it is also true of New Testament times. The Bible preacher must have a working knowledge of the history of the great empires of the past—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. He will be familiar with the great battles and personalities of history.
A Fresh Significance
We recall reading in a book on preaching that every sermon should present something new. There must be fresh light, some new approach, some added illumination. Not that the light in itself is necessarily new but that it has a fresh significance, added meaning, when considered in the light of the author's own experience; the context, historical background.
The principal reference books, various translations of the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, Bible commentaries, Bible dictionaries, Bible biographies, Bible geographies, Bible histories, introductions to the Bible, archeological works—all of these should have a prominent place in the minister's library and should be consulted in the preparation of the sermons.
Not only will this make the Bible a new and living book to the preacher, but the parishioners will be led to appreciate and study it as never before. This kind of preaching will also set a worthy pattern for Sabbath school teachers to follow in their classes. This same Biblical approach to the prayer meeting studies will help increase attendance. Everyone will know they are sure to learn something fresh and new when they attend the services of the church. Furthermore, they will bring their Bibles with them to the services and follow the discourses carefully. At home they may be led to spend some of the time formerly devoted to their favorite TV shows to personal study and research into Biblical themes. They will no doubt study their Sabbath school lessons with a new interest. In fact, they may be well on their way to revival and reformation.
Take a Second Look
So as you prepare this next Sabbath's sermon—hold on! Take a second look at that text or passage of Scripture. Don't pass it over so lightly. Take some extra time to examine it more carefully. In the end you may find that you have spent far more time on a single passage than you had planned. You may discover that you will have to throw away your original outline. In fact, what you thought was to have been a textual or topical sermon may very likely end up as an expository message!
You will also find that as you deliver the message the congregation will be listening with a new interest, for you will have something new to say. No more ramblings, or quotations or texts just strung together with connecting comments. And as they listen they will sense that you are only serving the cream, that there is much more you would like to say about the text if you only had the time, and they will be hungering for more when you sit down.
Beware!
A final word of caution is in order lest there be any misunderstanding. The added attention to the scripture must be given not for the sake of impressing the congregation with your fund of knowledge but to add appreciation and significance to the message the text is designed to convey. In this respect, the speaker must guard against spending so much time talking about the text (historical background, et cetera) that little attention is given to the message of the text itself. One is only the means to the end.
When the sermon hour is past, the passages of Scripture used may well have been so impressed upon the minds of the hearers that they will never read the words again without recalling the sermon. And not only will the hearers have received a fuller understanding and appreciation of the scripture used but also of the entire book from which the text was taken. They may also have a new interest in, and appreciation of, the author. All of which will have created a desire in their hearts to learn and study more.
O. M. B.
