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The Preaching Ezine (the newsletter of Preachology.com)

Hello,

Mark Hollingsworth here. Hope you are having a great week in the Lord.

2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

We continue with what Broadus said when speaking about the nature of eloquence. He asked the question, what is good preaching, or more generally, what is eloquence?

He said, "Eloquence, then, is a practical thing. Unless it aims at real and practical results it is spurious. Daniel O'Connell, the famous Irish patriot and lawyer, is credited with the saying, 'A good speech is a good thing, but the verdict is THE thing.' Mere holiday eloquence does not deserve the name.

And the preacher who kindles the fancy of his hearers merely for their delectation, who stirs their passions merely to give them the luxury of emotion, is not eloquent. There is too much preaching of just this sort.

Besides vain pretenders who care only to please, there are good men, who, if they can say very handsome things, and can make the people feel, imagine that they are preaching well, without inquiring why the people feel, and to what truly religious ends the feeling is directed.

It is a shame to see what vapid and worthless stuff is often called eloquence, in newspaper puffs, and in the talk of half-educated younglings returning from church."

I think what Broadus is saying, and he says it so very well, is that preaching that just makes people feel good is no good unless it directs them to do good. What is our goal in preaching? Is our goal to just preach well and make people feel good? Or is our goal to help people turn their lives toward God and change their lives for the better? I think we know the right answer.

2 Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Here is a topical sermon on friendship:

Keys To Quality Friendships

Prov. 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

1. Mutual Goals

Discuss how you can synergistically work together toward a mutually agreed upon goal. Cooperate through prayer, discussions and ministries that will contribute toward the accomplishment of enlarging the church in qualitative and quantitative measures. Paul writes, “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ. In whom are hidden all the treasurers of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2,3)

2. Mutual Interests

Work together on areas of shared concerns. Shared hobbies and leisure time activities can act as a bridge for enhancing interpersonal communications. Paul writes, “Make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” (Phil. 2:2) 3. Mutual Experiences – Find areas of ministry and lifestyle that you share in common with others. These opportunities can help break down many barriers of distrust. Paul writes about his friend, “Epaphroditus, “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.” (Phil 2:20)

4. Mutual Understandings

Find areas that you can agree upon together before finding areas that you cannot come to any consensus. Paul writes, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We remember your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thes. 1:2,3)

5. Mutual Trust

Develop confidence in one another's word by proving your reliability, endurance, and willingness to overlook a fault. Paul writes, “As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (I Thes. 2:7,8)

6. Mutual Commitments

Despite differences between people they can collectively commit themselves to the accomplishment of God’s greater goals for the good of all concerned. Paul writes, “For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.” (I Thes. 2:4,5)

7. Mutual Destiny

Emphasize similar heavenly destinations in our heavenly home. Paul writes, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (I Thes. 4:17,18)

8. Mutual Sharing

By distributing to others as they have need one can cement friendships. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” (Acts 2:44,45)

9. Mutual Teaching, Fellowshipping, Eating and Praying

Getting together on a regular base to pray and study the scriptures will weld your hearts together with people who love the Lord and are willing to follow His will. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.” (Acts 2:41,42)

10. Mutual Battles With Common Opponents

By recognizing common opponents to the advancement of Christ's kingdom you will gain greater reliance and appreciation for Christian friends. Paul writes, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severer suffering, you welcomed the message of joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (I Thes. 1:6)

I just recently added a "Skeleton Outlines" or "Bible Study Outlines" page to my website. Take a look at the Bible Study Outlines page for some great sermon starters.

There's a "Bible Study Outlines" page where I share my skeleton outlines and there's a "Your Skeleton Outline Page" where you can share your great skeleton outlines with all of us.

I also just recently added some more material at preachology.com on the FREE SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS page. There is also new material at the YOUR SERMONS page. There's a two part sermon there from James in Australia. He submitted a great sermon on "Who Is God?" See below.

Go to the... Free Sermons ...page to get the new sermons and come often because we will soon add more. Take a look. There are some new sermons there now.

Subscribe to my free newsletter and receive even more sermons, outlines, notes, and ideas on a regular basis emailed directly to you. If you subscribe, you will also be able to access "The Preaching Ezine" archives where you will find even more sermon material (not on the website), sent out in the past.

Click here to subscribe to...The Preaching Ezine.

YOUR SERMONS
Preachers, let's be an encouragement to other preachers by sharing our sermons and outlines and commenting positively about other preacher's sermons.

I love to read other preacher's sermons as devotionals for my own personal spiritual growth and also to get ideas for developing sermons of my own.

Go to the... Your Sermons ...page to submit your sermons and outlines and be a blessing to other preachers. There are some new sermons there right now!

Go to the... Your Skeleton Outlines ...page to submit your skeleton outlines and be a blessing to other preachers. There are some new skeleton sermons there right now!

Go to the... Your Illustrations ...page to submit your sermon illustrations and be a blessing to other preachers. There are some new illustrations there right now!

Well, that's about it for now.

Do you have any comments, ideas, or feedback? I'd love to hear from you. You can either reply to this ezine or go to the form on the "Contact Me" page on my website and tell me what you think.

Yours for Powerful Preaching,

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