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The Preacher’s Notebook

The Paper and Electronic Pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, NC

(Delivered by E-mail and Us Postage Through Subscription as an Extension of the Pulpit Ministry of this Church)

Dr. Terry W. Preslar – PO Box 388 – Mineral Springs, NC 28108

(704)843-3858 – E-Mail: preslar12@windstream.net

Vol. II November, 2008 Issue 11

What Will ImproveMy Preaching...?

A Suggested Code of Conduct for Preachers

(Some Pointers for Preachers – How to be a “BornAgain Devil Disturber”)On several occasions, this church where I am the pastor (First Baptist Church of Mineral Springs, NC),has given Honorary degree call:

“The Doctorate of Born Again Devil Disturber.”

These degrees arehonorary but must be earned through some set of circumstances that qualify the candidate for this degree.Dismissal form a pastorate for a Biblical position, and ethical stand or just mean treatment brought on bythe candidate’s preaching. This has been a ploy to encourage the struggling servant and honor the batteredservant. Needless to say, you would not seek this degree, but it has been our delight to offer this accoladeto a select few. We have not given one lately and that might be because of the deplorable state of preachingin this hour!There might be some who think that it is vain to try to improve their preaching. But, if they had to hear their own preaching they would hope for some improvement. To be less that your best for the Lord in serviceis a dark sin. He has never given us less than “perfect” gifts (“Every good gift and every perfect gift is fromabove, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James1:17). Why should we offer Him less than our best?To improve would be

a Holy Endeavor

(“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and notunto men;” Col.3:23) ,

a Happy Quest

(“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of theLord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col.3:17) and

a Helpful Occupation

(“Be yefollowers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Cor.11:1). How then may we improve that we might serveHim better, be a better witness and feed His sheep thereby?I have seen suggestion list of things that might improve us since I started preaching, but had hesitatedto volunteer one myself. I have preached for over 35 years now and am not the best I hope to be, but I havelearned a few things along the way. The “School of Hard Knocks” is a difficult way to learn and I think Ihave been in classes there most of that 35 plus years. Let’s laugh a little and cry a little together as we reada few suggestions that might be offered:

I- Be Prepared (Study) –

I know this is a novel idea! Some pastors actually wait until about fifteen minutes before the service to prepare a message. There was one pastor that waited until another pastor or deacon presented his material. Then as the aforementioned person was talking the pastor would take notes and preach on what the man just said. That man is lazy and is cheating his people.Feed your people. There are thousands of good Christian people all over the world that are juststarving spiritually. It is a shame and should not happen. The Lord gave clear instructions as to what a

-2- pastor ought to do in feeding his people (“

Feed the flock of God which is among you

, taking theoversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but

of a ready mind

;” 1 Peter 5:2).

II- Be Knowledgeable

–

Have plenty of facts at your fingertips. Your message should show that you havea deep and studious interest in the message which you preach. There is no excuse for ignorance of your subject. In a Spiritual since, it is said, “Where He Guides He Provides” – this is true of this matter of wisdom too.

III- Be Biblical –

There are many Scriptures applicable to evangelism. Stay focused and don’t get too far off the subject that you can’t get back on target. If you are not the pastor in the church where you arespeaking, be sure some care is taken to recognize that fact. Pastoral preaching is different from your work to fill that pulpit. There are areas off limits and the Pastor will be responsible in those spheres of the message.

IV- Read Your Bible –

Know the books of the Bible – most Sunday School students know them. Have aregular time each day to read Bible. Read it with a notebook in hand to take down thoughts that Godgives you. Think about what you are reading. The only place where success is mentioned is in relationto the word of God. (“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditatetherein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thoushalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8)

V- Learn to Mark Your Bible –

The Bible looks formidable, with its hundreds of pages of small print.However, the Bible is a book designed to be used. To familiarize yourself with key verses, it is a goodidea to mark your Bible to help you relocate particular passages. The methods used by students of theBible range from one color to elaborate color keys, arrows, notes and brackets and underlining words, phrases and sentences.Anyone who goes through the process of marking his Bible will appreciate the need for simplicity.After a while a Bible can end up looking like a messy coloring book. A few guidelines will help avoidover-marking your Bible.Use colors to highlight only important words. Be sure to select a pen or marker that will not run,smear or bleed through the thin page. When underlining phrases, use a ruler or straight edged card. Witha proper mark, an important word or phrase should instantly let you know what is the subject matter.Marking the Bible will help you get a feel of where you are in a particular page. It will save muchtime trying to locate that special scripture.Many computerized Bible-study programs will allow you to type your own notes (or import themfrom other electronic text files) and attach them to specific verses, letting you create your own personalcommentaries. This method allows a virtually unlimited amount of space for your personal notes andcomments while keeping them neat and orderly. Such electronic notes can later be edited, expanded or deleted much more easily than handwritten notes in a printed Bible.

VI- In Your Study, Have a File System –

One of the best ways to prepare for future sermons is have a fileon different topics and every time you come across something that can be useful file it away.One pastor has a file that he has worked on for a period of several years, and now he can actuallytake and use it for his sermon preparation. It does not take him many hours of research either. He hasalready done it and now it is easy to get the needed resources. Why? Because it is all right there at hisfingertips ready at hand.Most file systems that are promoted in Bible institutes and universities are very complex and actually pretty stupid for a preacher to try to use. Some would require a full time secretary just to take care of hisstuff. Very few preachers could afford to do this.Here is a simple easy-to-use system. Buy some file folders and mark them from A to Z. Every timethat you come across a good article just put it in the proper folder. Eventually you will have a nice largeresource file that will cover most of the things you might want to preach about. (Topical - A to Z) and

-3-(Textual - Genesis to Revelation). Your topical file will probably be larger than the textual. Note - If youare going to preach on alcohol then it is right there in a folder waiting for you. Easy! There will be manyother things that you will have to do as a preacher or teacher and the last thing you want is to have tospend hours each day doing a file system. But you DO need one. So get started NOW. Don't wait.

VII- As you Prepare, Use a Notebook –

Write it down

;

write it down

;

write it down

. Many times the Lordwill give you something and if you do not write it down then you will not remember what God gave you.Some of the best sermons have been thought of in the middle of the night and then just a few noteswritten down prepares the sermon for the future. Otherwise it would have been forgotten in the morning.

VIII- Write down Illustrations –

Whenever you hear a good illustration write it down then or you will notremember it properly in the future. Especially if you have had a number of them that you have heard inthe past several weeks. There will not be very many illustrations that you will remember three yearsdown the road unless you write them down.

IX- Learn How to Use Good Illustrations –

Make sure that they properly fit the theme of your sermon.Many times an illustration has been used in sermons and at the end of the sermon the person says, “thatwas a good illustration, but what was he trying to teach?” “What was the point?” Beware of using anillustration that goes off on a rabbit trail.Kinds of illustrations are important on a degree as to their use. In Gospel Sermons and Bible lessonswe find that an illustration that comes from imagination is the least powerful. Then there is theillustration that is taken from real life (your’s or some other’s life) will be a little more effective. Themost powerful illustration of all is a “Bible Illustration” taken from the text of Scripture. The “Law of the Bible Illustration.” is stated thus: “For most truths God gives one classic illustration to carry the truthhome to the heart and mind of the believer.” (An example is Sin Guiltiness - Isa. 53:6). If this “law” isapplied illustrations will be powerful.

X- Have a Right Spirit –

Do not get jealous of another teacher or preacher. This is probably one of thegreatest sins amongst preachers. Just be faithful to the Lord; do not get bitter; walk in the Spirit and keepyour eyes on the Lord. Amen! Try to be a blessing and a help to your people. Let God take care of your “promotion.” Real promotion comes from God anyway (“For promotion cometh neither from the east,nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth upanother.” Psa. 75:6-7). Stay humble and He will lift you up. (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:10).One other thing; do not try to “butter up” to the high man on the totem pole. There is nothing sodisgusting as preachers that quit being preachers and become politicians. (poly means many; and tic isa blood sucker). Serve God! Yes, be considerate of others, but be careful how & WHY you do it. Don't be a hireling - be God's servant.

XI- Have a Good Attitude –

A preacher’s attitude determines his altitude. Don’t tell be how high you havegone if you stepped on everybody on the way up. The old saying was: “The higher they go the harder they fall.” A few “Attitude Issues” might be listed:

Be Interested –

Show an interest in the people to whom you are to speak. Ask the pastor questionswhich will indicate your concern for his work. Encourage him – he probably needs it.

Be Prayerful –

The preparation of your message should be bathed in prayer. Make it a point to havea time of prayer with the pastor before the service, if he seems able. It shows solidarity with his burdenfor the service.

Be Conscientious –

Do not allow lesser things to rob you of proper heart preparation. The Lord’sministry through you is closely related to His ministry to you. If He has not done anything for you, thehearers might think that He can not do anything for them. We are told of a time in Israel when :,,,therewas no open vision.” (“...And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was

no openvision

.”1 Sam.3:1).

Be Winsome –

People draw conclusions about you, before you speak. Let your enthusiasm showthrough. A smile is contagious.

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11-08-What Will Improve My Preaching-TWP

A Position Paper on the "Biblical Preaching." This Exposition is part of a continuing series on many subjects by Dr. Terry W. Preslar PO Box 388 Mineral Springs, NC 28... (More)

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