On The Sermon #2: You.
This is part 2 in a series called "On The Sermon".
It's tempting to be like someone else. And today, if you're a pastor (or speaker of any kind), there is no shortage of examples to follow. Like never before, we have access to nicely packaged sermons given by popular and well-respected pastors from around the world.
Some of us, without knowing it or maybe quite purposefully, have made ourselves sound just the same as our favorite speaker. And while imitating quality isn't bad, I think we often sell ourselves short.
Think about this: God has placed you in the place where you are. Whatever town, city, or village you live in; God has you there doing the work you're doing. God has YOU there. Not someone else.
That realization is what follows is the best advice I've ever received when preparing to give a sermon. To me, it's one of the first rules for giving a good sermon.
"God made you. God likes you. So go be you."
I actually got this advice before I gave my very first sermon at the church I currently serve at. The lead pastor said those words shortly before I went up to speak.
Those words, for some reason, were the only thing that entire morning that put my nerves to rest. It's also the thing I've come back to over and over again when considering how I should approach giving a sermon.
Don't try to be anyone else. Be you. Because God made you and likes you, so why would God want you to be anyone else?
Of course that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider your audience, or do a ton of work to prepare for your message, but we'll get to that sort of thing as our series progresses.
Note: This is a series on the Sermon... This is part 2 of many. Keep on the lookout for more updates.
Disclaimer Part 1: I'm no expert. I've given just enough sermons to know how difficult they are to give and how much I have to learn (a lot!).
Disclaimer Part 2: Public speaking is a passion of mine. While none of these tips are all-encompassing, the tips will offer unique and, I think, helpful reminders/lessons for how to best engage your audience.
Some of us, without knowing it or maybe quite purposefully, have made ourselves sound just the same as our favorite speaker. And while imitating quality isn't bad, I think we often sell ourselves short.
Think about this: God has placed you in the place where you are. Whatever town, city, or village you live in; God has you there doing the work you're doing. God has YOU there. Not someone else.
That realization is what follows is the best advice I've ever received when preparing to give a sermon. To me, it's one of the first rules for giving a good sermon.
"God made you. God likes you. So go be you."
I actually got this advice before I gave my very first sermon at the church I currently serve at. The lead pastor said those words shortly before I went up to speak.
Those words, for some reason, were the only thing that entire morning that put my nerves to rest. It's also the thing I've come back to over and over again when considering how I should approach giving a sermon.
Don't try to be anyone else. Be you. Because God made you and likes you, so why would God want you to be anyone else?
Of course that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider your audience, or do a ton of work to prepare for your message, but we'll get to that sort of thing as our series progresses.
Note: This is a series on the Sermon... This is part 2 of many. Keep on the lookout for more updates.
Disclaimer Part 1: I'm no expert. I've given just enough sermons to know how difficult they are to give and how much I have to learn (a lot!).
Disclaimer Part 2: Public speaking is a passion of mine. While none of these tips are all-encompassing, the tips will offer unique and, I think, helpful reminders/lessons for how to best engage your audience.
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