. Preaching The Mechanics.
Text = (texere, Latin--to weave or put together; to construct; to compose; to express.) A. The Meaning of the Text. Preacher's Definition = It has come to mean the portion chosen as a suggestion or foundation for a sermon. B. The Four (4) Common Uses of the Text. 1. The Whole Area of the Sermon. 2. Genuine Starting Point for a Subject It Raises. ... Example: Submission to God's Will. Self-abandonment to the Divine will. "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38) What is God's general will? ... Follow the Bible. "(34)Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (35)But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:34-35) Example: "But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter." (Deuteronomy 3:26) ... 1. 2. 3. Textual Peg. --Lifting a phrase out of the Bible. --Background, context, then apply the text. --ONE primary interpretation; Innumerable applications. 4. Make the text a point of complete departure. Example: Benefits of early rising. "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre." (John 20:1) Learn to distinguish between good things people did in the Bible, and the commandments in the Bible. Example: Commandment for just Moses. "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." (Matthew 2:13) [To whom speaking? Joseph or all Christians.] Example: There is no God. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." (Psalm 14:1) C. Advantages of Having a Text. 1. It relates the message to the Scripture. --Well begun is half done. [Begin with the Word of God.] 2. It gives authority to your message. --This day is the Scripture fulfilled in your ears. --NEED an heir of respect and sobriety. --Learn to read the Scriptures with authority. [Time to get serious.] 3. It awakens interest at the beginning. --Most [people] listen at the beginning. --Whether or not you keep them is up to you. --Capitalize on their initial attention. --We NEED to train our people to anticipate. [I wonder what his title is going to be?] [What will be his theme?] 4. It aids the hearer in remembering the message. [Imprint the passage on their souls.] --Drive the Word of God home. [Make the text special to them.] --Sin will keep you from the Book, and the Book from sin. 5. It tends to keep the preacher from wandering away from Scriptural topics. --Seldom should a sermon be preached without a text.