While speaking on the first Sunday of Advent, I was expounding on Joseph. How he was described as a righteous man. Was unwilling to humiliate Mary publicly when he thought her pregnant by another man.  The phrase that spun my better half in another direction was, “God chose wisely when He entrusted the watchcare of His Son to such a man.”

Bonnie, struck by the difficulty of Joseph’s situation, realized that he was in that situation because he was trustworthy.  And in that moment she was grateful for the bangs, crashes, jolts and thuds we’ve faced, realizing that God has considered us faithful enough to be assigned the bumpy road.

For this to occur, we must trust that God knows what He is doing.  Easier said than done, for most of us.

Related posts:

• Road Runner
• Vietnam 2010: San Sa Ho – Hard Labor
• Baptist Conference on the Holy Spirit 4
• The year ahead and the swirl of uncertainty
• I’ll drop you…

Interestingly, my wife said that she got something from my sermon on Sunday that I wasn’t trying to communicate.  I said “interestingly,” but perhaps I should have used the word “ironically.” Except that I’m sure such a thing happens all the time.

While speaking on the first Sunday of Advent, I was expounding on Joseph. How he was described as a righteous man. Was unwilling to humiliate Mary publicly when he thought her pregnant by another man.  The phrase that spun my better half in another direction was, “God chose wisely when He entrusted the watchcare of His Son to such a man.”

Bonnie, struck by the difficulty of Joseph’s situation, realized that he was in that situation because he was trustworthy.  And in that moment she was grateful for the bangs, crashes, jolts and thuds we’ve faced, realizing that God has considered us faithful enough to be assigned the bumpy road.

For this to occur, we must trust that God knows what He is doing.  Easier said than done, for most of us.

Related posts:

• Road Runner
• Vietnam 2010: San Sa Ho – Hard Labor
• Baptist Conference on the Holy Spirit 4
• The year ahead and the swirl of uncertainty
• I’ll drop you…

I was intending to show my affection and commitment to Skelly Drive.

Later that day a church member told me I shouldn’t say that anymore because it wasn’t safe.

“Not safe?” I inquired.

Turns out she was afraid the statement might motivate someone to hire a hit man. ;)

Comments

• July 16, 2009, Gary writes: Nah.. Too expensive!
• July 16, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: I sure hope you know your flock better than she does. :) Bob Clevelands last blog post..A Tale Worth Telling Some More Of
• July 16, 2009, Vicki writes: Oh you make me laugh! You know my gift is sarcasm!
• July 16, 2009, Michael writes: HA! Thanks for the laugh brother. btw-I'll help with the funeral if needed. :)

While preaching last Sunday I found myself in a moment of exuberance and great love for my church. Arriving at the moment with great passion, I spouted out the statement, “The Lord willing, I intend to pastor here until I die.”

I was intending to show my affection and commitment to Skelly Drive.

Later that day a church member told me I shouldn’t say that anymore because it wasn’t safe.

“Not safe?” I inquired.

Turns out she was afraid the statement might motivate someone to hire a hit man. ;)

Comments

• July 16, 2009, Gary writes: Nah.. Too expensive!
• July 16, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: I sure hope you know your flock better than she does. :) Bob Clevelands last blog post..A Tale Worth Telling Some More Of
• July 16, 2009, Vicki writes: Oh you make me laugh! You know my gift is sarcasm!
• July 16, 2009, Michael writes: HA! Thanks for the laugh brother. btw-I'll help with the funeral if needed. :)

Comments

• April 21, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: Blunt, yes. Appropriate, yes. Thanks for posting this. Is it just me, or is Rev. Osteen becoming more "name it/claim it" while still avoiding pentecostalism? Hmmmmm. Bob Clevelands last blog post..The Death Penalty: good .. bad .. ugly..
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: He's always been like that. I grew up in Houston, so I knew that church when his father was the pastor. John (dad) died and Joel sort of inherited it. Their theology/practice always was pretty charismatic. It actually seems that he's gone a little backward from what it was originally.
• April 21, 2009, Kevin Bussey writes: Great clip Art. Thanks. Kevin Busseys last blog post..Pay it forward-Birmingham style!
• April 21, 2009, Barry Martin writes: I think Driscoll misses the point. Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we CAN live a victorious life. Joel Osteen doesn't leave God out of the equation. In the above example, he says, "We are children of the Most High God." I think if polled, the members (and attenders) of Lakewood Church, some of which I know personally, would tell you they are living victorious and prosperous lives. It doesn't mean they don't struggle, but they are living in victory over Satan. In addition, they go out into a hurting world and are some of the most encouraging people I've ever met. I say let's not be too quick to judge. Thousands have come to Christ because of Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and its ministry. And isn't that REALLY what it's all about? Mouse print: The opinions expressed are those of my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my former classmates, friends, or family members.
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: I don't think Driscoll misses the point at all. Jesus died on the cross to bring us back to God. The life Osteen describes is not in keeping with the whole of Scripture. On the one hand, Jesus says that He has come to give us abundant life. On the other, Paul says: "29 For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear about me." Phil. 1:29-30 I don't think anyone is too hasty in judging - and disagreeing is not judging. As for how many have put their faith in the Gospel, that is unknown to me - and everyone else, for that matter. Judging that really is beyond us all.
• April 27, 2009, Curtis Parish writes: None of the apostles could have measured up to Joel's definition of a victorious Christian life. None of them were wealthy, most ended up in jail and Paul asked many times for a thorn to be removed. If only Paul had heard one of Joel's sermons and known he could have claimed victory over that thorn.
• April 27, 2009, Barry Martin writes: Joel, me, and at least 43,000 other people are living victorious Christian lives. Wonder where I went wrong.
• April 28, 2009, Bart writes: I claim victory from sin because of Jesus' righteousness. I still sin though. I am not naive to think believers claim a life of properity. Not prosperity in health, wealth, or family. We read that God will be with us always and will not put us through any trial or tribulation we cannot handle. Instead of looking for prosperity we should "act justly, love righteousness, and walk HUMBLY with our God!"

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced
• Driscoll and Idolatry
• Missional means going… How far would you go?

Yep, it’s pretty blunt, but not mean spirited.

Comments

• April 21, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: Blunt, yes. Appropriate, yes. Thanks for posting this. Is it just me, or is Rev. Osteen becoming more "name it/claim it" while still avoiding pentecostalism? Hmmmmm. Bob Clevelands last blog post..The Death Penalty: good .. bad .. ugly..
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: He's always been like that. I grew up in Houston, so I knew that church when his father was the pastor. John (dad) died and Joel sort of inherited it. Their theology/practice always was pretty charismatic. It actually seems that he's gone a little backward from what it was originally.
• April 21, 2009, Kevin Bussey writes: Great clip Art. Thanks. Kevin Busseys last blog post..Pay it forward-Birmingham style!
• April 21, 2009, Barry Martin writes: I think Driscoll misses the point. Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we CAN live a victorious life. Joel Osteen doesn't leave God out of the equation. In the above example, he says, "We are children of the Most High God." I think if polled, the members (and attenders) of Lakewood Church, some of which I know personally, would tell you they are living victorious and prosperous lives. It doesn't mean they don't struggle, but they are living in victory over Satan. In addition, they go out into a hurting world and are some of the most encouraging people I've ever met. I say let's not be too quick to judge. Thousands have come to Christ because of Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and its ministry. And isn't that REALLY what it's all about? Mouse print: The opinions expressed are those of my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my former classmates, friends, or family members.
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: I don't think Driscoll misses the point at all. Jesus died on the cross to bring us back to God. The life Osteen describes is not in keeping with the whole of Scripture. On the one hand, Jesus says that He has come to give us abundant life. On the other, Paul says: "29 For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear about me." Phil. 1:29-30 I don't think anyone is too hasty in judging - and disagreeing is not judging. As for how many have put their faith in the Gospel, that is unknown to me - and everyone else, for that matter. Judging that really is beyond us all.
• April 27, 2009, Curtis Parish writes: None of the apostles could have measured up to Joel's definition of a victorious Christian life. None of them were wealthy, most ended up in jail and Paul asked many times for a thorn to be removed. If only Paul had heard one of Joel's sermons and known he could have claimed victory over that thorn.
• April 27, 2009, Barry Martin writes: Joel, me, and at least 43,000 other people are living victorious Christian lives. Wonder where I went wrong.
• April 28, 2009, Bart writes: I claim victory from sin because of Jesus' righteousness. I still sin though. I am not naive to think believers claim a life of properity. Not prosperity in health, wealth, or family. We read that God will be with us always and will not put us through any trial or tribulation we cannot handle. Instead of looking for prosperity we should "act justly, love righteousness, and walk HUMBLY with our God!"

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced
• Driscoll and Idolatry
• Missional means going… How far would you go?

If you are a preacher, do you use parables when you preach?  Are you a story teller?

If you aren’t a preacher, do you like it when the sermon includes stories?  Do they help you understand the point?

Comments

• January 29, 2009, Judy Harrison writes: I love stories !
• January 29, 2009, Bart writes: Especially about marinating steak. I love stories, especially funny or applicable ones.
• January 29, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: Art, I like stories, if they contribute to understanding. But I don't like "tear-jerkers" which seem designed to appeal to emotions (and usually coming right about invitation time). Bob Clevelands last blog post..So THIS Is What I Get......
• January 29, 2009, art rogers writes: Bart, do you remember what the marinating steak story was meant to illustrate? Bob, I couldn't agree with you more about the tear jerkers. I hate the emails that I get as supposed illustrations that are just emotional crap that don't illustrate the Kingdom at all.
• January 29, 2009, Joseph M. Smith writes: Funny you should ask! Only this past Sunday I used the story/parable form in a message called, "The Parable of the Lighted Cabinets". Actually it was based in part on someone in my family, but for the most part it was/is fictional. I framed the story with a preface and then drew some conclusions at the end, unlike Jesus! If you want to take a look go to http://sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=131323
• January 29, 2009, Bart writes: Ouch. I could guess but I don't remember. Part of that is a reflection of my age. But...nothing against your teaching, I would rather see a sermon than hear one, and I have seen several instances from you. In how you deal with fellow believers concerning sin, difference's, and unity. Also your heart for unbelievers and unchurched (Tommy, Vietnam, Homeless...).

Related posts:

• The Power in Preaching
• Preaching with Power 3
• Preaching with Power 4 (Final)
• Personal Holiness 1
• Preaching with Power 2

Jesus didn’t always use parables, but much of His communication concerning the Kingdom was done through story telling.  “The Kingdom of God is like…”

If you are a preacher, do you use parables when you preach?  Are you a story teller?

If you aren’t a preacher, do you like it when the sermon includes stories?  Do they help you understand the point?

Comments

• January 29, 2009, Judy Harrison writes: I love stories !
• January 29, 2009, Bart writes: Especially about marinating steak. I love stories, especially funny or applicable ones.
• January 29, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: Art, I like stories, if they contribute to understanding. But I don't like "tear-jerkers" which seem designed to appeal to emotions (and usually coming right about invitation time). Bob Clevelands last blog post..So THIS Is What I Get......
• January 29, 2009, art rogers writes: Bart, do you remember what the marinating steak story was meant to illustrate? Bob, I couldn't agree with you more about the tear jerkers. I hate the emails that I get as supposed illustrations that are just emotional crap that don't illustrate the Kingdom at all.
• January 29, 2009, Joseph M. Smith writes: Funny you should ask! Only this past Sunday I used the story/parable form in a message called, "The Parable of the Lighted Cabinets". Actually it was based in part on someone in my family, but for the most part it was/is fictional. I framed the story with a preface and then drew some conclusions at the end, unlike Jesus! If you want to take a look go to http://sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=131323
• January 29, 2009, Bart writes: Ouch. I could guess but I don't remember. Part of that is a reflection of my age. But...nothing against your teaching, I would rather see a sermon than hear one, and I have seen several instances from you. In how you deal with fellow believers concerning sin, difference's, and unity. Also your heart for unbelievers and unchurched (Tommy, Vietnam, Homeless...).

Related posts:

• The Power in Preaching
• Preaching with Power 3
• Preaching with Power 4 (Final)
• Personal Holiness 1
• Preaching with Power 2

I avoid sermons based on holidays like the plague – no Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, etc.  I just think that you can only say so much in a sermon aimed at a holiday before you begin to repeat yourself the next year or two.  Then you have to fight to be original.

The exception?  For me, Easter and Christmas.  In fact, I do Advent.  Four sermons targeted at the coming of Christ and what it reveals about God and it starts next week, the 30th of November.

Am I schizophrenic, or is there a method to the madness?

What about you?

Comments

• November 19, 2008, Quinn Hooks writes: Christmas, Easter, and 4th of July for me. Quinn Hookss last blog post..Ronald Reagan and Religion
• November 19, 2008, Micah Fries writes: Art- We've touched on this before, a bit, but I also avoid seasonal message, primarily. Mainly because they break up my normal series' so doggone often. I do preach special series on Christmas & Easter, however. This year's Christmas series is "God in a box". We're talking of the gift of Christ. Should be fun!
• November 20, 2008, Rick Boyne writes: I'm with Quinn; Christmas, Easter and 4th of July. Although, this year, I did do Mother's Day and Father's day, but probably not again for a long time. Oh, I always have a special Sunday Before Thanksgiving message, too. Rick Boynes last blog post..Attention Please!
• November 20, 2008, Marty Duren writes: "God in a box"? That must be in the Greek somewhere. I thought He was in a manger. "Am I schizophrenic"? Only the Shadow knows. I tend to target only those holidays that people still actually equate with church in some way. Unfortunately, those seem to be narrowing; in most instances C&E still certainly apply and in some cases Mother's Day is still big. Most Father's Days will see the golf course instead of church. Beyond those it would be hard to make a wide spread case. Marty Durens last blog post..Remembering Kristallnacht
• November 20, 2008, Michael writes: I usually do a brief series leading into Christmas and Easter. I have done Mother's Day and Father's Day in the past but found myself repeating quickly so I've moved away. My last church had a HUGE service and outreach on the 4th of July so I've usually avoided it on Sundays thus far. On Thanksgiving I have very abbreviated messages and open up the rest of the service for individuals to praise and thank God publicly. With the exception of one gentleman the first year, this has gone very, very well and been a tremendous service. I like to preach through books so unless I can time it perfectly to end on a certain week these special sermons sometimes feel like hiccups. Of course I have interrupted series for special sermons God has laid on my heart concerning the church a few times as well.
• November 20, 2008, Joseph M. Smith writes: I have found great joy in doing much of the liturgical year. I do not follow the lectionary, but I do observe Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week and Easter, Pentecost, Trinity ... and this coming Sunday, Christ the King. For me there is still plenty of time to do series of all sorts ... in fact, nearly all of my preaching involves series of from 2 to 6 Sundays. I normally do something with Mother's Day and Father's Day, but confess I have to do some contortions if Mother's Day and Pentecost are on the same Sunday!

Related posts:

• Missional Sermons
• Here’s Missional
• BGCO – Pastor’s Conference pt 7
• Guidestone & SBC Entities, pt 2
• Founder’s Breakfast

The holidays are here and that means plenty of opportunities to focus the topics of your sermons on things seasonal.  Do you?

I avoid sermons based on holidays like the plague – no Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, etc.  I just think that you can only say so much in a sermon aimed at a holiday before you begin to repeat yourself the next year or two.  Then you have to fight to be original.

The exception?  For me, Easter and Christmas.  In fact, I do Advent.  Four sermons targeted at the coming of Christ and what it reveals about God and it starts next week, the 30th of November.

Am I schizophrenic, or is there a method to the madness?

What about you?

Comments

• November 19, 2008, Quinn Hooks writes: Christmas, Easter, and 4th of July for me. Quinn Hookss last blog post..Ronald Reagan and Religion
• November 19, 2008, Micah Fries writes: Art- We've touched on this before, a bit, but I also avoid seasonal message, primarily. Mainly because they break up my normal series' so doggone often. I do preach special series on Christmas & Easter, however. This year's Christmas series is "God in a box". We're talking of the gift of Christ. Should be fun!
• November 20, 2008, Rick Boyne writes: I'm with Quinn; Christmas, Easter and 4th of July. Although, this year, I did do Mother's Day and Father's day, but probably not again for a long time. Oh, I always have a special Sunday Before Thanksgiving message, too. Rick Boynes last blog post..Attention Please!
• November 20, 2008, Marty Duren writes: "God in a box"? That must be in the Greek somewhere. I thought He was in a manger. "Am I schizophrenic"? Only the Shadow knows. I tend to target only those holidays that people still actually equate with church in some way. Unfortunately, those seem to be narrowing; in most instances C&E still certainly apply and in some cases Mother's Day is still big. Most Father's Days will see the golf course instead of church. Beyond those it would be hard to make a wide spread case. Marty Durens last blog post..Remembering Kristallnacht
• November 20, 2008, Michael writes: I usually do a brief series leading into Christmas and Easter. I have done Mother's Day and Father's Day in the past but found myself repeating quickly so I've moved away. My last church had a HUGE service and outreach on the 4th of July so I've usually avoided it on Sundays thus far. On Thanksgiving I have very abbreviated messages and open up the rest of the service for individuals to praise and thank God publicly. With the exception of one gentleman the first year, this has gone very, very well and been a tremendous service. I like to preach through books so unless I can time it perfectly to end on a certain week these special sermons sometimes feel like hiccups. Of course I have interrupted series for special sermons God has laid on my heart concerning the church a few times as well.
• November 20, 2008, Joseph M. Smith writes: I have found great joy in doing much of the liturgical year. I do not follow the lectionary, but I do observe Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week and Easter, Pentecost, Trinity ... and this coming Sunday, Christ the King. For me there is still plenty of time to do series of all sorts ... in fact, nearly all of my preaching involves series of from 2 to 6 Sundays. I normally do something with Mother's Day and Father's Day, but confess I have to do some contortions if Mother's Day and Pentecost are on the same Sunday!

Related posts:

• Missional Sermons
• Here’s Missional
• BGCO – Pastor’s Conference pt 7
• Guidestone & SBC Entities, pt 2
• Founder’s Breakfast