4 Minutes on “Preparing a Sermon”
Jan 23, 2012 1 Corinthians, 4 Minutes On...
People often ask me how I go about preparing a sermon. Here’s a 4 minute video that follows along the two week process it took to develop the message I preached last week. I knew the passage I was going to preach a year ago, so a lot of reading, thought, study, and prayer preceded the start of this final stage of preparation.
To watch the final sermon I preached at the end of this process, click here.
If you want to take a look at my final notes, click here.
For more help on preaching, check out these two amazing books:
Between Two Worlds by John Stott
Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell
Reading the Bible in 2012
Dec 30, 2011 4 Minutes On...
This is the time of year that people make lots and lots of New Year’s Resolutions.
About 3 weeks from now is when people give up on lots and lots of New Year’s Resolutions.
For many Christians, reading the Bible is one of those ill fated commitments. It’s a lot like physical exercise - we know it is important, we feel better when we do it, but other more urgent matters constantly push it off our calendar. Intellectually, we all know spending time in the Word is so much more valuable than getting on the elliptical. As the Apostle Paul wrote to his protege Tim:
“…while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8
Make 2012 the year you not only commit to spend time in the Word, but actually do it. Here are three simple steps (followed by a ton of resources to get you started).
1. Find a plan that works for you.
Are you a morning person? Read the Bible before diving into your day. Night person? Read in bed before zonking out. Do you like to exercise? Listen to the Bible on your MP3 player. Are you a big reader? Tackle a Bible in the Year plan. Hate to read? Read a paragraph a day. Always glued to your Inbox? Subscribe to the Bible and have it emailed to you. There are so many options. Find one that works for you.
2. Work the plan that you found.
Make a commitment to the plan and tell someone. It doesn’t matter if you tell your spouse, your roommate, or your mom, just tell someone. Heck, go the annoying route and post it on Facebook like one of those dumb running apps that tells everyone you just ran 3.1K in the snow. The key is to incude other people. If you can get someone else to do the same plan as you, even better. Oh, and don’t start the plan tomorrow. Start it today.
3. Don’t freak out.
This is probably the most important step. Three weeks from now, many gyms will be as empty as they are full today. Life will slowly crowd out exercise and people will freak out about their inability to get moving and they will slowly sink back into their couch. This will happen with your Bible reading, too. You will skip a day here or there and then you will eventually give up. When that happens and you realize it, don’t freak out. Start the plan over – not tomorrow, today.
Resources
To get you rocking, here is the mother-load of resources. Don’t freak out at all the options, just look for one that works for you.
Bible Reading Plans
Riverview Text Project – We tackle 1 chapter of the New Testament and 1 chapter of the Old Testament every weekday and 1 chapter of the Psalms on the weekends. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed or have it emailed to you each morning by signing up here:
ESV Reading Plans – Here are 10 more reading plans from the makers of the ESV Bible (which we use at Riv). There are lots of different options to choose from, as well as lots of ways to subscribe (RSS, Print, iCal).
Read through the Bible Program for Shirkers and Slackers – Instead of giving you a daily plan, this plan gives you something to read on any given day of the week (Sunday – Saturday) and if you miss a day, it’s no big deal because there aren’t any dates, just check boxes.
John MacArthur’s Reading Plan – This is one I am considering tackling this year. Basically, you read the same thing over and over for 30 days. In that time, you really really get it. It takes about 3 years to go through the New Testament at this pace.
Bible Apps
eBible – My new favorite Bible app makes it super easy to take notes, underline, highlight, and sync up with your other devices.
YouVersion – The most popular free Bible app out there, you can get those one for every possible mobile device.
Logos – This free Bible app is awesome when synced with Logos Bible Software. If you don’t have the software, pick a different App.
Bible.is – I really like this app for listening to the Bible when I mow the lawn or work out.
You Might Also Like…
The Books of the Bible – This unique Bible (which was created with the help of a Riv Member) eliminates all chapter divisions and verse numbers. It also lays the Bible out in an easier to read single column (like most other books). It’s amazing how this little tweak makes the Bible so much more readable. My only complaints are the translation (it’s in the new NIV and I am not a fan) and the difficulty in finding or sharing a specific passages. With that said, it’s a great product and if you need help just getting into the Word, I really advise you check this out.
Tweeting the Bible – Every weekday morning, I tweet a Bible verse. Just one. Maybe for you, that will be just the kick in the pants you need to get started.
Tags: bible
Translating the word “Slave” in the Bible
Nov 14, 2011 1 Corinthians
This weekend at Riv, we looked at a passage in 1 Corinthians that included the word “bondservant.” 1 Corinthians 7:21 has been misused by Christians (and non-Christians) for years because the word is often translated as “slave.” Here is the passage in various popular translations:
English Standard Version
“Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)”
New American Standard Bible
“Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.”
New International Version
“Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.”
As I mentioned this weekend, I really like the way the ESV translated the word because it diffuses some of the confusion. Here is a cool video that shows how the translators wrestled with this word:
“Teacher!”
Apr 27, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
At Riv, we are in a series called Red Letter Ending, where we are looking at 7 statements of Jesus from the cross and one statement he made after his resurrection. On my blog, we are looking at some of the statements people made to Jesus before, during, and after his crucifixion.
Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. (John 20:11-18)
At first, Mary didn’t recognize Jesus. But when he spoke, she knew his voice (John 10:3-4) and called out “Teacher!” With this, she grabbed onto him because she didn’t want to lose him again. His admonition not to cling to him was not him being rude to her (or insensitive to her feelings). Rather, he wanted her to know that this was the start of something new that didn’t necessitate his physical presence. When he had ascended to his Father (and her Father…and our Father), this something new would begin.
The church.
And the church has something better than Jesus’ physical presence. We have the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7) Jesus was Mary’s teacher when he walked the Earth physically. We have the Holy Spirit that helps us understand Jesus’ words now. (John 16:13-14)
Tags: bible, Holy Spirit, Jesus, resurrection
“Are you the only…?”
Apr 25, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
At Riv, we are in a series called Red Letter Ending, where we are looking at 7 statements of Jesus from the cross and one statement he made after his resurrection. On my blog, we are looking at some of the statements people made to Jesus before, during, and after his crucifixion.
Today we are going to look at a long exchange between Jesus and a couple people after his resurrection. This is a long passage, but it is worth taking the time ro read. I have marked Jesus’ words in red and the two men’s in blue.
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”
And they stood still, looking sad.
Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
(Luke 24:13-35)
There really could be a sermon in this, but I’ll try to keep it to a few simple bullets:
- The events surrounding Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were the talk of the town in Jerusalem. The darkness, the destruction of the temple curtain, the earthquake, the zombies :), and the empty tomb had not gone unnoticed. Everyone wanted to know what was going on. Maybe that’s part of the reason for the attentiveness of the audience to Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2.
- Even Jesus’ followers still missed he was the Messiah. Prophet? Yes. Miracle-worker? Of course. Messiah? Not so sure.
- When Jesus explained how he was the fulfillment all of the Old Testament (not just the prophecies), God’s word burned within them.
- It was the Word that convinced them Jesus was alive, it was God opening their eyes (through the breaking of bread) that caused them to know the man they were talking with was him.
Tags: bible, easter, Jesus, resurrection
Awesome Prayer
Jan 24, 2011 1 Timothy
Whenever I am studying a passage to teach at Riv, there is so much I come across that I don’t have time to squeeze into my messages. That’s why, during the course of the current series on 1 Timothy, I am going to take some time to blog about some of the material that ended up on the cutting floor of my study.
“Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.”
- 1 Timothy 1:17
Wow.
This verse is packed with so much great theology it makes my head spin. Let’s pick it apart piece by piece.
“Now to the eternal king…”
Jesus is the King of kings. He always has been, he always will be.
“…immortal…”
Contrary to popular myth, Vampires are not immortal. Jesus is. My sin killed him once, but he came back to life. Booya.
“…invisible…”
This literally means God exists “beyond the constraints of flesh.” Jesus is both human and divine.
“the only God…”
There is only one God, eternally existing in three persons: God, the Father; Jesus, the Son; and the Holy Spirit.
“…be honor…”
Because of his very nature, Jesus deserves our honor and respect.
“…be glory…”
Because of his very nature, we should give God the Father glory through Jesus.
“forever and ever!”
We should, can, and will give God this honor and glory forever.
“Amen.”
If ever a sentence deserved an “Amen,” it was this one.
Once again, read this sentence, but this time do so slowly as a prayer:
“Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.”
- 1 Timothy 1:17
Isaiah
Aug 31, 2010 Old Testament Book Summaries
As we hit different Old Testament books in the Text Project, I post little summaries here on my blog. If you are too lazy to read, here’s a video version for ya:
Isaiah
Author
Isaiah, a prophet
Date
Somewhere around 700 BC
Theme
God always has his people, even if everyone else is walking away. In Isaiah, we see the prophet calling God’s people (particularly those of the nation / tribe of Judah) to repentance. He is reminding them that God will be faithful to judge them because of their rebellion and that he will be equally faithful to fulfill his unconditional covenant with Abraham. That means he will eventually give them back the land God had promised Israel forever.
Isaiah shifts into future mode in the end of the book, describing in prophetic form Jesus’ atoning work on the cross and the coming Kingdom (which we still wait for today).
What this book teaches me about Jesus
This book is a great picture that God judges and saves. You can see Jesus all over this book if you just look for him.
Random Thoughts
Isaiah 53 is perhaps one of the most famous prophecies about Jesus, but you’ll find lots of other familiar verses as you read through this book.
Tags: bible, old testament
Job
Aug 11, 2010 Old Testament Book Summaries
Over a year ago, I was blogging my way through the Old Testament and I stopped. I figure I will periodically pick it up again as we encounter various books in the Text Project. Since we are reading through Job right now, I figured I’d start here.
Job
Author
Nobody, this side of heaven, can identify the author of this book.
Date
Experts are all over on this one, just like with the Authorship. Some place Job way back to 2000BC, some in the 6th century BC, and some in the 3rd century BC. The only thing for certain is that you can’t be dogmatic on your view.
Theme
You think you know suffering? You know nothing of suffering. Job was just about as close to perfect as a man can get. He was a moral, upstanding, godly individual and his life fell apart. In the matter of minutes, he loses a huge fortune and a large loving family.
His response is to ask God “why?” This is a good thing. Then he eventually turns to demanding an answer from God. This is not a good thing. God sets him straight.
There’s also a great set of dialogue between Job and his wife, as well as Job and his friends. Pretty much everyone blames Job or God, but he won’t go there.
What this book teaches me about Jesus
Like Jesus himself said, “God sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous alike.” Suffering happens to all of us, no matter of “good” we think we are. But Jesus came and suffered the most, even though he deserved it the least.
Random Thoughts
Job is a masterpiece of literature. The author is a literary genius, he is well versed in science and human nature as well. If you can pull it off, sit down and read it straight through in one sitting.
Tags: bible, job, old testament, suffering
Bible Translation Week: NET Bible
Apr 22, 2010 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
This week, we are talking about different translations of the Bible. Specifically, I am covering the three translations I work with the most and explaining why.
I couldn’t go through my series on Bible translations without covering one of the most unique translations out there: the NET Bible (NET).
Why the NET Bible?
The NET Bible is unlike any other Bible translation out there for several reasons:
- It’s free. Seriously. You can access it for free, download it for free, and print it for free. Every other translation out there is copyrighted by someone. That makes it so hard to reprint portions of it legally. We ran into this issue with our Text Project at Riv. Inadvertently, we broke copyright law our first year and had to try to figure out what to do the second year. We contacted the guys over at NET Bible and they graciously (and excitedly) embraced our idea and gave us permission to reprint the Bible on our site. If you want an actual book version of the Bible you have to pay for it, but that’s just reasonable.
- It’s accurate. The team of translators worked really hard to make the NET Bible an accurate translation. It is a word for word translation, but it is not clunky at all. I don’t think it reads quite as well as the ESV, but largely I like the way if flows.
- It’s transparent. Here’s what I mean by this: you can see why they translated each word the way they did because they tell you. There are over 60,000 translator notes included with this Bible! On some pages, there are more notes than verses. I love this because you feel like you are right in there with the translators figuring the passage out with them. In fact, the ESV translators used the NET Bible notes to help them in their translation.
How do I use the NET Bible?
Largely, I use the NET Bible for two things: my daily Text reading and my study. Each morning, I receive the RSS feed for our Text Project and read the Word in the NET translation. If you are reading along with our Text Project feed, you are using the NET Bible too.
I use the study notes to help me really understand what the passages I am studying mean. I have a book version of the NET Bible that I leave open as I am doing message prep and anytime I get stuck or want to dig deeper into a specific word, I look over to see what the translators have to say.
Why don’t I preach from the NET Bible?
It’s just a matter of taste. Every once in awhile, the NET seems clunky and the ESV is a bit more polished.
Who should use the NET Bible?
Anyone who wants a literal, readable, accurate translation of the Bible should give the NET Bible a spin. It’s particularly attractive to many of a younger generation who love Open Source software and stuff like that. This is about as close as you are going to get to an Open Source Bible. Besides, I love that I have a Bible that has the word “Beta” on the cover. Ingenious.
If you are a serious student who wants to know why certain words are translated certain ways, you are going to love the NET Bible because of the translation notes.
Tags: bible
Bible Translation Week: English Standard Version
Apr 21, 2010 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
This week, we are talking about different translations of the Bible. Specifically, I am going to cover the three translations I work with the most and why.
Over the course of the last three years or so, I have found myself studying more and more out of the English Standard Version (ESV). While the NLT (which I covered yesterday) is a “Thought for Thought” translation, the ESV is a “Word for Word” translation. Ultimately what that boils down to is more accuracy in the precise words being translated, sometimes at the expense of cadence and easy reading.
Why the ESV?
Besides the accuracy, which I have already mentioned, there is a “grandness” or “elegance” in this translation. Now that may sound weird, but hear me out. While I love translations like the NLT for their simplicity, I miss the “punch” that the Word of God should have. The ESV has preserved the punch. I frequently come across passages that I have read hundreds of times and feel like they have come alive in a fresh and majestic way in the ESV.
Why am I beginning to use it for preaching?
This has been a tough transition for me. At the Holt Venue of Riverview, we have taught out of different translations for a long time. Steve has preferred the NIV, I have used the NLT, and James has used the NASB. I’m not sure what the other guys teach from. We wrestled with whether we should begin to teach from the same translation but decided against it because of the reasons I wrote about on Monday.
During this time period, I tried to incorporate the NIV and NASB into my message prep to see if it would flow for me. I figured teaching from 2 translations would be better than 3 for the church. Neither ever grabbed me and neither really flowed from the tongue. I kept navigating back to the ESV for study and NLT for teaching, always with a bit of trepidation.
Then I got the my series on the book of Psalms. When preparing, I found myself in the ESV because it carried such great poetic feel. I couldn’t get myself to teach out of the NLT for that series, and stuck with the ESV. Now, I can’t seem to get myself to go back. My studies have been much richer in the ESV.
I wondered if anyone would notice. Interestingly, I continued to get the same question every week:
“What translation do you guys teach from? It’s so understandable!”
I realized maybe it wasn’t the translation that was so understandable. Maybe it was how we try to teach clearly from whatever translation we are using.
So there you have it. I am becoming an ESV guy which still means we are teaching from 3 different translations out at the Holt Venue (and who knows how many when you add the MSU Venue guys in).
Tags: bible
