This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "sermons"
The Philosophy of Lutheran Sermons
Lutheran sermons don’t just teach you what the Bible means. Lutheran sermons are not intended to give you simple information. They are not for instruction purposes. Oh sure, we do instruct and explain the word of God. We tell you what the parables mean, and who the central players are, and what some of the background of the text is. But this isn’t the primary purpose of the Lutheran sermon, just like the primary purpose of Scripture is not to give information*. The primary purpose of the Lutheran sermon is to confront you with the word of God. The Lutheran sermon is experiential–or existential of that other word gives you heartburn. The Lutheran sermon is an experience of being shown, or exposed to, or receiving the Spirit of Christ. It is hearing … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Law/Gospel Outlines?
I preached an unusual sermon Sunday. It was the infamous Law/Gospel outline. You probably have heard thousands of these. I’ve preached my fair share. Here’s the way they usually go: Here’s the Word of God. Oh, there’s law. God says you should be doing such and such. You don’t. You need Jesus to forgive you. Conclusion. It’s not a horrible outline, but I think it should be generally avoided. While Lutherans are supposed to properly distinguish Law and Gospel, that doesn’t mean to use it as an outline. Rather, it means to distinguish between the works of the Law and Gospel, the work of law and law of love, the work of flesh versus the life of the spirit and all kinds of other things. But this Sunday I saw the need to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
From Your Side
Last Sunday I attended church by sitting in a pew instead of standing up there where I usually worship. It was a joy to sit and stand next to my family: my aunt behind me, my sisters and parents down the pew and in front. If I cannot be with my church family here, then being with my relatives is the best. It was good to help my son remember to stand and pray, to … Read entire article »
Saturday Night Oops
Sometimes on Saturday night about this time your pastor will take a look at his sermon and think, “This is really not very good.” It happened to me about fifteen minutes ago, and I am stewing a bit. I really wanted this one to be good, and I’m afraid I tried too hard. Tried to be subtle instead of saying what a I want to say. But it’s late, and I have family in town, staying at our home, and Sunday morning is is already beating its way around the Earth. So I will look at the sermon a few more times and try not to gag, and go tomorrow and preach it. Just preach it. The difference ten years makes is I will not re-write it, at least much. I will not let … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology, Writing&Books
Outlining and Sermons
Yesterday I discussed my WIP (work-in-progress) and what I discovered about writing fiction. But since many of you come here from a theological or religion direction, how does this relate to sermon writing? For me, I’ve discovered that outlining fiction and outlining a sermon is essentially the same approach. I write sermons doing my textual analysis and research, my liturgical study, the sitz-im-leben of the congregation and community and our life together (basic sermon study) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sometimes these days it is low-key, rather informal, with a lot of it happening from memory or in worship planning, or while driving around town. As that comes together, I plan out “phases” in the sermon, or scenes, if you will. What will it look, feel, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Blog Update on Church Father Sermons
I realized that I hadn’t posted any excerpts from the Church Father’s sermons lately, but I have a good reason. I’ve been preaching a sermon series on The 10 Commandments, so I haven’t been referring much to my Fathers’ resources of late. I’ve been trying to use the lectionary readings as texts as much as possible, though honestly a few of the sermons have only referenced them in a vague kind of way. The series ends next week, and I will return to my regular lectionary preaching, so too, the Church Fathers will have a chance to speak to us again here as well. That is, if this still interests you. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
What the Fathers Preached:Luke 14:1-11
And it is not easy to keep one’s soul humble in the midst of difficulties, just as it is not easy not to be proud and prosperity and honor. And the proud, the more they are flattered, the more disdainful they become. The manner of one who is humble of heart is modest and somewhat downcast. Such as these also dress simply and for use, not cultivating hair, or particular about clothing; so that the appearance mourners put on is natural to them. And as to dress, but the outer garment (tunic) be held in place by a girdle, not fastened above the waist, like a woman’s, nor yet loosely, so that the garment is slack, which looks foolish. And as to your manner of walking, let it not be … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
What the Fathers Preached: Luke 14:1-11
It is not possible for man to control his anger when abused, or to overcome trials with patients when the afflicted, if he is not willing to take the last and the lowest place among other man. But a man who has attained a true humility will not be troubled by offensive or ignominious, since he is already aware of his own great unworthiness even before he is insulted. And should he be called a beggar, he already knows he is poor, and in want of everything, and that he has need each day of God’s help. If he is spoken of as insignificant and of no importance he is already aware of this in his own heart: but he was made from clay. In a word, let me say … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
For Pr. Gaunt
What I expected our former vicar to quote, but which was only alluded to in my mind. I’m saving it up for next year. Great sermon, anyway. God money i’ll do anything for you. God money just tell me what you want me to. God money nail me up against the wall. God money don’t want everything he wants it all. (“Head Like a Hole”, Trent Reznor) And, if you’re interested in the music (brace yourself), just google it. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
What the Fathers Preached
Of the temple he goes on to say: my house is a house of prayer: but you have made it a den of thieves. For there is no doubt that those who remain sitting in the Temple to receive gifts, sought to do harm to those who gave them nothing. And so the house of prayer had become a den of thieves; for such men made clear that they were there in the Temple, prepared to injure physically those who did not give them gifts, and indeed to destroy spiritually those who gave them. But because our Redeemer did not deny the works of his preaching, either to the unworthy or to the ungrateful, after he had upheld the authority of his teaching, casting out the perverse, he reveals to them … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
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