If I were to steal a sermon again, I think I'd say, "This sermon isn't mine. You'll get my stuff next week, but this is so good that I want you to hear it." If my leaders aren't comfortable this, then at least we can have a discussion about whether or not this is appropriate.
Sometimes I wonder if the real issue in churches isn't about whose material is being used, but if we're being honest about the source. I think it's better to be honest. In fact, one day I want to do a series called "Sermons I Wish I'd Preached". I'll lift some of the best sermons I've heard from other preachers, and let everyone know up front. It may be the greatest series that I ever preach.
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Conclusion Four: We lose something when we use somebody else's material. One of my friends said to me, "Darryl, I'd rather hear you preach your own sermon - even if it's not as good — than to hear you preach somebody else's polished sermon." When I habitually use somebody else's material, I don't allow the Spirit the opportunity to speak into my church, through my personality, out of my walk with God. I lose what a growing number of people are looking for in a preacher: authenticity. They want to know that I'm for real.
I sometimes think that I'm too enamored with technique and skills — that if I find the right methodology, everything will be alright. Preaching is an art as well as a science. I can use all the skills and methods in the world, but that's not what makes a message effective. It's ultimately about the Spirit speaking from his Word through a particular personality. That can't be copied from somebody else.
So, I've entered recovery as a sermon thief. I've decided that if I ever steal another sermon, I'll at least be honest about it with my congregation. I won't condemn other honest sermon thieves either. Most of all, I'll enjoy the work of creating my own sermons, not because they're better, but because I believe that God can speak through his Word into my church through me — weaknesses and all — by the power of his Spirit.
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Darryl Dash is Senior Pastor of Richview Baptist Church in Etobicoke, ON, Canada.
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1. "Grabbing the Tassels" by Rob Bell (Mars Hill Bible Church, Grandville, MI) — Rob, one of the best teachers out there, speaks of our desire for wholeness from Mark 5:24-34.
2. "The Road the Baghdad" by Andy Stanley (Northpoint Community Church, Alpharetta, GA) — Conflict in the region of Iraq, recorded in the Bible, reminds us that God is in control of history.3. "When Good Snakes go Bad" by Haddon Robinson (Gordon-Conwell Seminary, South Hamilton, MA) — The bronze snake of Numbers 21 eventually became a bad snake when people worshiped it instead of God. Good things, like worship, can become bad when they become idols.4. "How to Tell God You Love Him" by Rick Warren (Saddleback Community Church, Lake Forest, CA) — Rick uses his gift for simplicity and application to talk about worship.5. "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus (Mosaic, Los Angeles) — From the life of John the Baptist, Erwin shows that God does not always work through buttoned-down people.6. "Rethinking the Sacrifice of Isaac" by Leonard Sweet (Drew University, Madison, NJ) — Leonard challenges us to rethink whether Abraham really passed the test when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac.7. "Waiting on God" by John Ortberg (Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Menlo Park, CA) — John teaches us to obey God's command to wait on him.8. "What God Would Say to Bart Simpson" by Lee Strobel (Saddleback Community Church, Lake Forest, CA) — Lee excels at connecting Biblical teaching with pop culture and North American trends.9. Any sermon by C.H. Spurgeon (Metropolitan Tabernacle, London) — If you're going to steal sermons, you might as well steal from the Prince of Preachers.10. The Unknown Sermon — Some of best sermons I've heard aren't from famous communicators, but from everyday pastors in obscure settings.