 |
| Calvinist News prays that I repent of this! |
The biggest church event of the week is the sermon on Sunday, and it is directly related to Holy Communion.
If someone were convinced that the sermon was the most important and effective effort he could make for that week, wouldn't he spend some time on it?
I think he would make it his own rather than stealing it from another source. Giving another person's sermon or repeating an old sermon - both are rather deadly, lacking the energy of the moment.
Reagan had speech writers, but he made each speech his own. Most presidents read the text like the subway schedule. Reagan's were memorable, even 40 years later.
How would someone prepare?
First, he would look up the Gospel or Epistle lesson on Sunday or Monday, so he could think about the subject all week. Psalm 1 - Blessed is the man who meditates on the Torah (teaching) day and night. Luther did that, sometimes only with a phrase.
The two best sources for the sermon are Luther and Lenski. Sometimes a passage in the Book of Concord, which is really a one-volume commentary, is also useful. For instance, on the efficacy of the Word, look up the first Three Commandments in the Large Catechism. "Much fine gold," as Frosty Bivens would say about other sources.
Luther and Lenski are both good for exposing and refuting false interpretations. If the errors seem to be worth addressing, they add interesting details.
By thinking and reading early, various ideas will come up. Study makes a person wiser, but writing makes a precise man. There is always too much to include in one sermon, which is good.
My current approach is to set up the entire service and hymns on Saturday, so that details are not missed - or at least fixed on Sunday.
I always post Luther's sermon on the topic in this blog and also on Facebook.
 |
| Graphic by Norma Boeckler |
I may do a short background essay on Saturday, dealing with issues related to the topic, such as miracles, the Two Natures of Christ, the efficacy of the Word. I am trying to finish and post that on Saturday in the worship material and on Facebook. Many people like the background for the sermon and comment on it.
In writing the sermon, mostly completed early Sunday, I use each verse as the outline. That way, when I give the sermon, my only notes are the text itself.
Years in the pulpit and the classroom have taught me that read material loses the attention of the audience. I even used PowerPoints as punishment when computer classes did not participate. I do not think anyone can read material effectively, and I am certain I cannot.
Since I completed the sermon on Sunday, it is fresh when the service starts. I suppose some would like their own outline to preach from, but I find the text itself is enough.
The audience already has the sermon in writing in Word, before the service, so that is a form of the Means of Grace that can enhance what is taught - or forwarded by email to others. It is all written out on the blog post too.
Previously, I was only posting the blog link to the service on Facebook, but now I also post a graphic and the Ustream link on the blog and on FB.
 |
| Ustream keeps track of views and stores the videos. "No one reads the blog!" I might add. |
Content of the Biblical Text
We have only one option in preaching - to teach and explain the Scriptures as they are, not to use them as a platform for anything else.
The entire purpose of the Bible is to teach faith in Christ. From that will come blessings too numerous to count, and the effects will reach into eternity.
Why retire from such a special role?
 |
| This is a Ustream screen grab - the show and tell segment from the Creation Garden. Norma Boeckler's beautiful artwork is behind the altar she designed. |
