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This weekend the news was filled with reports of the death of one of the most remarkable men of the 20th century. Pope John Paul II — born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in his native Poland — was more than the head of a major Christian body. Through his courageous actions and words, he was a pivotal factor in the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and a bulwark in the battle against a secular "culture of death" in Western societies. As an evangelical Protestant, there will obviously be significant theological differences between where I stand and where this faithful Roman Catholic stood. Nevertheless, it is fitting that all believers pay their respects to a man whose love of freedom and commitment to the sanctity of life provided a powerful counterbalance to the totalitarian and secularizing trends that sought to grip his century. So as his church prepares to lay him to rest, we celebrate the enormous contributions made by this gifted man who loved and protected life for all. Michael
Duduit, Editor Click here to visit "I Was Just Thinking" for insights and observations about faith and culture issues.
Biblical preaching demands innovative application Speaking to a pastors conference at Southern Baptist Seminary recently, Hershael York argued that in order to apply biblical texts faithfully, preachers must ask two questions: "What is the main point of the passage?" and "How does it apply?" These two questions can help pastors teach their congregations to study the Bible more effectively, York added, in a story in the March 31 edition of Baptist Press. "If you locate for [listeners] the main point of the passage and then you show them how it applies . . . as they begin reading the Bible, they start looking for two things. Every time they read a chapter in the Bible they start saying, 'Now what's the main point here? And how does this apply to me?'" he said. The main point of a passage is found in the original author's intended meaning, and preachers must look constantly for innovative ways to explain that intent, said York, who teaches preaching at the Louisville seminary. "If you're going to be an expositor, it begins with a willingness to be confined to the intent of the author," York said. "And frankly, that's the line that separates the would-be expositors from the true expositors. You have to say, 'What is it that the author is after?'" After determining the main point of the passage, preachers should make two types of application in every sermon: long-term application and immediate application, York said. "If you just merely describe the text and you don't take that step of application, all you'll do is frustrate your people." (Click here to read the full article.) http://www.baptistpress.com/bpnews.asp?ID=20492
Today's traditional was yesterday's contemporary In a recent edition of his "Worship Matters" column, Bob Kauflin talks about the influence of Isaac Watts. He notes that by the late 17th century, most congregational singing in churches consisted of "lining out" psalms — that is, "Each line of the psalm verse was recited — and often sung — by the leading voice, which the congregation would then follow . . . Both leader and individual members of the congregation tended to take their own time (and a very long time indeed it was — perhaps half a minute for each line!)." (from A Brief History of Christian Music by Andrew Wilson-Dickson) Kauflin observes: "In response, it seems that a young Isaac Watts (1674-1748) came home one Sunday complaining that the hymns were dull and lifeless. In a moment of providential brilliance, his father challenged, 'Then write something better!' He did. That following Sunday the congregation sang a hymn that began, 'Behold the Glories of the Lamb amidst his Father's throne: Prepare new honors for his name, and songs before unknown.' This became the first of more than 650 hymns Watts would compose for the church. . . . Some of these lyrics, including 'Joy to the World' and 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past,' are still sung throughout the world today. "The extent of Watts' influence on congregational singing is nearly impossible to overestimate. Watts believed that the songs the church sings should be based on Scripture but 'freely composed,' including Scriptural allusions and responses to the truths being sung. He believed that the Psalms, as valuable as they are in Christian worship, were insufficient to express the full range of Christian experience. Over time, his influence was dramatic. Within 150 years of his death a survey of 750 hymnals revealed that 40 percent of the songs were by Isaac Watts!" Today Watts' compositions are a standard part of traditional Christian hymnody. But it might be helpful for us to remember — especially when the worship leader or youth pastor come to suggest a new idea — that Watts was a bold innovator in his own day! What we consider traditional today was once quiet contemporary.
British survey: Why is church declining? The Ecumenical Research Center has recently released the results of a year-long survey of some 14,000 people in Britain and Ireland concerning why they do not attend a local church. 73% of respondents cited a need for apologetics — "People want churches to emphasize the many reasons why believing in God and Christianity makes sense and to challenge a doubting society. People will be attracted to the Christian faith if they understand that it makes sense to believe." Another major issue for survey respondents was a desire for churches to again emphasize the need for moral character. Some pointed out that, "while many believe in God, they regard him as undemanding and not requiring obedience or any particular standard of conduct." Some believe many Anglican ministers are hesitant to speak boldly on moral issues for fear of losing members or being punished by their bishops. Respondents cited the casual manner in which many ministers conducted services without any "real conviction or sincerity." Thousands mentioned the sermon as the critical element in the worship service, which made the difference in the church being vital or irrelevant. Many hunger for biblical sermons that are relevant to their lives. As one person stated, "We want sermons on Biblical topics which help us to live as faithful Christians in the 21st century." One pointed comment was cited in the report: "It is a myth to say that the people of this country have rejected Christianity. They simply haven't been told enough about it to either accept or reject it." (The report can be downloaded as a PDF file for no cost; go to www.churchsurvey.co.uk)
Time to register for "Preaching With Passion" conference It's not too late to register for the National Conference on Preaching, slated for April 18-20, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee. The theme of NCP 2005 will be "Preaching With Passion," and an outstanding line-up of speakers will be participating, including William Willimon, Dave Stone, H. Beecher Hicks, James Earl Massey, Ray Ortlund, Jr., Robert Smith, Jim Shaddix, Mike Glenn, Bill Self, Carol Noren, R. Leslie Holmes, and more. The annual conference is sponsored by Preaching magazine. You can visit the conference webpage (www.preaching.com/ncp) and see the full schedule and a list of workshop topics. Registration is $250, and additional registrants from the same church (and spouses) can register for just $100 per person. For more information or to register, call 1-800-288-9673 (outside the US call 615-599-9889), or visit us on the web at www.preaching.com/ncp. Think you can't afford to get to Nashville? Here are airfare prices on Southwest Airlines as of today (traveling to Nashville on Monday the 18th and return on Thursday the 21st):
To order from Southwest, go to www.southwest.com or call 1-800-435-9792. And if you don't live in a Southwest city, remember that participants in the National Conference on Preaching can take advantage of discounts on Northwest, Continental and Continental Express Airlines. Discounts of 5-15% are available, based on the type of fare and the date ordered — the earlier you purchase your tickets, the greater the available discount. To make reservations or get information, contact the Northwest Meeting Services Reservation Desk at 1-800-328-1111 (open Mon-Fri, 7:00 am to 7:30 pm Central), and refer to WorldFile NYTTN. Student registration available If you are a full-time seminary or college student preparing for ministry, contact us (1-800-288-9673) to learn about registering at a student discount. You'll probably be able to attend the conference for less than the cost of your next textbook!
ILLUSTRATION: Consecration Some years ago, a Scottish minister told his congregation about dreaming he had died. When he came to the pearly gates, to his dismay, he would be denied entrance until he presented his credentials. Proudly the Pastor articulated the number of sermons preached and the prominent pulpits occupied. But Saint Peter said no one had heard them in heaven. The discouraged servant enumerated his community involvement. He was told they were not recorded. Sorrowfully, the pastor turned to leave, when Peter said, "Stay a moment, and tell me, are you the man who fed the sparrows?" "Yes," the Scotsman replied, "but what does that have to do with it?" "Come in," said Saint Peter, "the Master of the sparrows wants to thank you." Here
is the pertinent, though often overlooked, point: great and prominent
positions indicate skill and capacity, but small services suggest
the depth of one's consecration. (Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com,
January 1999. Adapted from G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations
for Preaching and Teaching)
ILLUSTRATION: God's Love Anna Warner, author of the hymn "Jesus Loves Me," constantly faced financial pressure. Her father had been a wealthy powerbroker in New York City, but the stock market crash of 1837 wiped out his finances. All her life, Anna faced overwhelming debt. But she learned to trust God with her needs. A friend wrote this about her: "One day when sitting with Miss Anna in the old living room she took from one of the cases a (sea)shell so delicate that it looked like lace work and holding it in her hand, with eyes dimmed with tears, she said, 'There was a time when I was very perplexed, bills were unpaid, necessities must be had, and someone sent me this exquisite thing. As I held it, I realized that if God could make this beautiful home for a little creature, He would take care of me.'" (Turning Point Daily Devotional, 8-27-04)
ILLUSTRATION: Praise "Praise is almost the only thing we do on earth that we shall not cease to do in heaven." (Samuel L. Brengle)
ILLUSTRATION: Hindrances, Priorities During World War II an Air Force Colonel was piloting a B-29 Bomber. During an attack on Tokyo his plane lost two engines. Home base was over 1000 miles away. The colonel said to his crew, "I have never believed in ditching a ship as long as it's flying. Let's try to make it home." They threw out everything they could do without, including ammunition and armor. The colonel landed that plane on the sands of Saipan and was decorated. If we're going to make it safely home there may be some things in your life that we need to throw overboard. It could be a destructive habit or an unhealthy relationship. It could be an obsession like greed or a poison like racism. It pays to travel light. We can get lots farther without bulky baggage. (Bill Bouknight, "Just a Thought")
ILLUSTRATION: Evangelism, Witness The evangelist Dwight L. Moody walked down a Chicago street one day and saw a man leaning against a lamppost. The evangelist gently put his hand on the man's shoulder and asked the stranger if he was a Christian. The fellow raised his fists and angrily exclaimed, "Mind your own business!" "I'm sorry if I've offended you," said Moody, "but to be very frank, that is my business!" That
is not only true for a preaching evangelist. If we have become
part of God's family in Christ, then the spiritual health of others
automatically becomes our business. |
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ILLUSTRATION: Stewardship One Sunday, a preacher was speaking on what it would take for the church to grow. He said "If this church is to advance, it must take up its bed and walk." The congregation said "Let it walk, Preacher, let it walk." Encouraged by their response, he went further. "If this church is going to become better, it will have to throw aside its hindrances and run!" The congregation replied, "Let it run, preacher, let it run!" Now really into his message, he spoke stronger. "If this church really wants to become great, it will have to take up its wings and fly!" "Let it fly, Preacher, let it fly!" the congregation shouts. The Preacher gets louder. "If this church is going to fly, it will cost money!" The congregation replied. "Let it walk, Preacher, let it walk."
"The toughest evangelistic task we have as preachers is not how to make Jesus make sense in a disbelieving modern world, but whether, when he meets us in our world, as we believe that he does, we will follow him or not." (William Willimon, Peculiar Speech: Preaching to the Baptized)
ILLUSTRATION: Diets, Language Here is some diet news just in: (A) The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. (B) On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. (C) The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. (D) The Italians drink large amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. (E) Conclusion: Eat & drink what you like. It's speaking English that kills you. (Janet
Pollock Brooks)
The woman sheepishly approached the pastor after the service and said, "I hope you didn't take it personally when my husband walked out during your sermon." "I did find it a little disconcerting," the preacher replied. "Please know it's not a reflection on you, pastor," she insisted. "Bob has been walking in his sleep ever since he was a child."
"Spring is wonderful. It makes you feel young enough to do all the things you're old enough to know you can't." (Franklin P. Jones)
Why did the chicken cross the road? Depends on who you're asking . . . RALPH
NADER DR.
SEUSS ERNEST
HEMINGWAY GRANDPA BARBARA
WALTERS ARISTOTLE KARL
MARX RENE
DESCARTES CAPTAIN
KIRK ALBERT
EINSTEIN (from
PTM Update, 4/19/04)
And finally . . . Drum this into your head — it's time to pay up. That appears to be the approach of tax authorities in southern India, who have found a new way to handle tax evaders: they send teams of traditional drummers to noisily pound away outside their homes or shops until they pay their taxes, according to an April 1 Associated Press story. (And no, it doesn't appear to be an April Fool's story.) Tax officials in Andhra Pradesh state's Rajahmundry city have been successful in recovering three-fourths of the $1.2 million owed by people there after sending drummers to the doors of tax cheats. The city of 450,000 has hired 10 drummers for the collection drive. The sense of shame evoked by the racket was enough to make most people come out and pay, said T.S.R. Anjenayalu, a tax official, who noted, "The drive has been such a great success that we have had several inquiries from other cities and towns about it." I'm hoping none of them are in my neighborhood.
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