The Power Of A Good Question: Evaluating The Sermon Before You Preach
Dietrich
Bonhoeffer:
1. Was the sermon
faithful to the scriptures?
2. Was the sermon faithful to this particular text?
3. Was the sermon faithful to the great doctrines?
4. Was the sermon faithful to the congregation?
5. Was the sermon faithful to the great commission?
6. Was the sermon believable?
7. Did the sermon cause the listener to want to look at the passage again?
8. Did the sermon proclaim good news?
______________________
Chuck
Sackett is Professor of Preaching at Lincoln Christian Seminary in Lincoln,
IL.
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______________________
Bibliography
Anderson,
Kenton C. Preaching with Conviction: Connecting with Postmodern Listeners.
Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2001.
Jones, J. K. Reading with God in Mind. Joplin, MO: HeartSpring publishing,
2003.
Lawson, Steven J. Famine in the Land. Chicago: Moody Press, 2003.
Ryken, L., Wilhoit, J., Longman, T., Duriez, C., Penney, D., & Reid, D.
G. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (electronic ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, (2000, c1998).
Shaddix, Jim. The Passion Driven Sermon. Nashville: Broadman & Holman
Publishers, 2003.
Notes
1. From the movie Jurassic Park.
2. In addition to my responsibility to teach preaching at Lincoln Christian
Seminary I have the privilege of preaching at Madison Park Christian Church
in Quincy, IL. Each week they graciously give me three chances to get it right.
3. For an interesting reflection on this dilemma see Anderson, 2001.
4. This paper is not an attempt to thoroughly exegete this text, but rather,
to allow the imagery to evoke ideas.
5. At this point one must be careful not to press the analogy. I'm not suggesting
the preaching minister in the local congregation has either responsibility or
authority like the kings of Israel. However, "{i}n keeping with the shepherd's
role as leader and provider, biblical pastoral writings often picture civil
and religious leaders as shepherds and the people as sheep." Ryken, L.,
2000, c1998, pg. 782.
6. Since the unworthy shepherds care more for themselves than for their charges
and have plundered them rather than searched for them, God will hold them accountable,
remove them from their posts and take away their livelihood (Ezek 34:8-10).
Out of this situation comes the promise of a shepherd from the line of David
who will genuinely care for the people (Ezek 34:23), Ryken, 2000, pg. 783.
7. Most scholars believe He is ultimately anticipating the coming of the "good
shepherd." E.g., John B. Taylor, Ezekiel, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries,
1969; Daniel L. Block, The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48, The New
International Commentary on the Old Testament, 1998; Iain M. Duguid, Ezekiel,
The NIV Application Commentary, 1999.
8. Ephesians 4:11 (pastor-teachers); 1 Peter 5:1-4 (shepherds/elders); Acts
20:28-29 (shepherds).
9. Recent Homiletics books seem to emphasize a common message. E.g., see Shaddix,
2003, and Lawson, 2003.
10. According to Eduard Lohse, Colossians and Philemon, Hermeneia, Philadelphia:
Fortress Press, 1971, pg. 169.
11. Jones, 2003, pg. 33.