Monthly Archives: June 2007

by Peter Mead | June 19, 2007

Don’t short change the conclusion

One element of sermon preparation that tends to get less attention than it deserves is the conclusion. One preacher said, “My sermons are like chickens with their heads cut off – once you think the sermon is done, it just … Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by Peter Mead | June 18, 2007

Sermon Titles: Tricky Little Things

I don’t find it easy to write a title for a sermon. Actually, I do . . . a bad one! I don’t find it easy to write a good title for a sermon. So what makes a title tick? … Continue reading →

9 Comments

Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by Peter Mead | June 17, 2007

I believe in manuscripts! No notes – part 3.

Stephen commented on part 1 of the “no notes” post. Please read his comment there. He referred to the fact that some famous speakers carry a manuscript into the pulpit. “The defense of using a manuscript I have been told … Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching

by Peter Mead | June 16, 2007

Old Testament Stories – part 2: Good Illustrations?

It is often tempting to use Old Testament stories as illustrations in a sermon, but before doing so, here are five questions to consider: 1 – Do they know the story? Many listeners do not know the stories of the … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Genre, Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Old Testament, Preaching, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by Peter Mead | June 15, 2007

Old Testament Stories – part 1: Preaching Texts?

Some people take the view that the texts for preaching should come primarily, or even exclusively, from the New Testament. In order to preach “the whole counsel,” many use the Old Testament as illustrations in their sermons. Should Old Testament … Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Genre, Homiletics, Old Testament, Preaching, Stage 1 - Passage Selection, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by Peter Mead | June 13, 2007

Notes or no notes? – part 2

In part 1 of this post I presented the “why” of no notes preaching from my perspective. The relational connection through increased eye contact is the biggest reason for me. Also the side effects of less complicated messages, more text-related … Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Delivery, How to . . . ?, Preaching

by Peter Mead | June 12, 2007

Notes or no notes? – Part 1

I preached with notes for a decade, sometimes extensive, sometimes brief. Three years ago I switched to preaching without notes. I would not go back. I’m pretty sure that Mike preaches with some notes and does so very effectively. We’ll … Continue reading →

11 Comments

Filed under Delivery, How to . . . ?, Preaching

by Peter Mead | June 11, 2007

Preaching Parables – Two Thoughts

Last Sunday I preached from Luke 18, where there are two parables at the start of the chapter. A couple of thoughts about preaching parables: Jesus told stories that packed a punch, don’t deaden the force – Of course the … Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Genre, How to . . . ?, New Testament, Preaching, Specific text, Stage 2 - Passage Study

by Peter Mead | June 11, 2007

God told you? Really?

I wish more people were careful not to carelessly throw around “God told me” vocabulary. When the preacher slips in this statement, what does it communicate? What do people understand? Did the preacher really receive a supernatural revelation, a voice … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching

by Peter Mead | June 10, 2007

Review: The Passion Driven Sermon, by Jim Shaddix.

Subtitle – Changing the Way Pastors Preach and Congregations Listen This is a book with both strengths and weaknesses. To be honest, this is not a classic. Jim Shaddix is a pastor and teacher of preaching at New Orleans Baptist … Continue reading →