Preaching on Money, Part 3
When you calculate assets and liabilities, money in your pocket always belongs in the “asset” column, right? According to an accountant friend of mine, this is actually not always the case. The technical term for money that is a liability is “unearned asset.” When a person or business receives payment for services that they have not yet rendered, those funds must be counted as a liability.
A “big story” sermon series first asks the question, “What is God’s purpose?” The next question is, “How has sin mucked it up?” God has given us money as an asset. Sin has made it a liability.
Preaching on Money, Part 2
Preaching a “Big Story” series on money will naturally begin with God’s purpose for our relationship to the material world. Once we understand this, we are more prepared to understand how this relationship has been affected by sin, and how Christ has redeemed it. Here is a list of texts and ideas that could help us tell the story of money.
Preaching on Money, Part I
As a young pastor, I was reluctant to preach about money. At the time, however, I knew several older preachers who relished any opportunity to tackle the subject. I wondered why this was so. Did they just not care who they offended? Were they jaded to the financial demands on their hearers? Did they just not know that they ran the risk of feeding the “money-grabbing-preacher” stereotype that already existed in peoples’ minds?
Now that I’m an older preacher, I think I understand. The longer I live, the more I realize that the only thing that really matters in my ministry is to make disciples. And the longer I try to make disciples, the more clear it becomes that how we use our money is the truest measure of our discipleship, because it reveals where our treasure really is.
Planning a Topical Sermon Series
Many preachers who share my conviction that the best preaching is “expository preaching” would also say that “expository preaching” requires that every sermon series be a meticulous verse-by-verse walk through a book of the Bible. Certainly there is great value and rich rewards in this kind of preaching ministry. However, you may at least occasionally (and perhaps quite often) feel you need to preach a series of sermons on a particular topic. Is it possible to be an expository preacher without limiting yourself to expository sermon series? I believe it is, but how you approach the planning of your topical series is important.
Living in Contentment: Philippians 4:10-20
As Paul brings his epistle to a close, he offers a heartfelt “thank you” to the church in Philippi for the gift they had sent to alleviate his distress. In the middle of this “thank you,” however, he assures them that the primary reason for his joy in their giving is not because of the benefit that he had gained by receiving it, but the benefit that they had gained by giving it. At the core of this attitude was his deep contentment in life …
Living in Peace: Philippians 4:6-7
In this final chapter of his epistle, Paul begins with a section addressed in a very personal way to his dearly loved brothers in Philippi. The opening verses of Philippians 4 (v. 2-9) are bound together by the common theme of “peace.” Sandwiched between verses on either side that address the issue of peace among the brothers are two verses (6-7) that address the issue of peace within ourselves.
living in Harmony: Philippians 4:4-5, 8
The gospel not only heals our relationship with God, it heals our relationship with others, beginning with the body of Christ. We can’t live in gospel reconciliation and be at odds with our brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Living With Purpose: Philippians 3:12-4:1
In the first half of Philippians 3, Paul defines the goal of his life: to know Christ. In this second part, he discusses his active pursuit of this goal, and invites the Philippians to join him.
Living in Serentiy: Philippians 3:1-11
When we see this passage in light of its context in Philippians, we can see that Paul is doing two things. First, he is taking an opportunity to reaffirm the Gospel, that salvation does not come by works. Second, he is advancing the cause of community through humility in the church.
Living With Perspective - Philippians 1:12-30
These verses highlight both the difficulty of Paul’s circumstances and his joy in the midst of them. The perspective he displays towards is sufferings, the spiteful efforts of his enemies, and his questionable prospects towards the future, points to some core understandings about his life that flow from the Gospel. We can’t have confidence in the face of difficult days without the same foundation from which to see all of life.
Living Towards maturity: Philippians 2:12-18
Following the great christological hymn in verses 6-11, Paul returns to the initial concern that he voiced in the beginning of the chapter. He wants the church in Philippi to be unified. Now, however, in stead of looking to Christ as the example of the humility they will need, he looks to Christ as the source of the maturity they should cultivate, which will yield the attitudes necessary for unity.
Living With Humility: Philippians 2:1-11
This text may well be the heart of the epistle to the Philippians. Many scholars see “Christian Unity” as the unifying theme of the book, and this is where the theme finds its most profound development. Careful study of the text yields exegetical details that enrich our understanding.
Cultivating Sermon “Seeds”
I’m on record as being strongly opposed to preaching someone else’s sermons. So why would I have a “Sermon Seeds” category in this blog, where I give you preaching ideas?
Living in Partnership: Philippians 1:1-11
The opening verses of Philippians weave together the language of deeply affectionate relationship, and Christian maturity. Paul writes of the Philippians partnership with him in the Gospel, of their being partakers of grace with him in suffering, and of the deep affection he has for them. In the same sequence he writes about their anticipated completion in Christ, and prays through the steps by which they will move on to maturity. A study of the intertwining of these ideas will highlight the close relationship between Christian community and spiritual growth.
This Is Living!
Here is a plan for a sermon series on Philippians developed by the preaching team at Tapestry Church. These general thoughts, or “seeds,” for each sermon were developed as a team, then each preacher had freedom to structure and present the sermon in a way that fit his own style and the Spirit’s leading.
Why Every Sermon You Preach Should Be Your Own
You’re overwhelmed with the unreasonably heavy demands of ministry, and you also need to spend time with your wife and kids. What pastor really has the time to prepare an original sermon every week? Why should every sermon be your own?
I want to suggest three important reasons!