Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
March 24, 2024

Plain Words for Young Preachers
by Bryan Gibson
Please don’t take this article the wrong way. I’ve still got a LOT of room for improvement, and I sure don’t know everything, not even close. But, older preachers have sure helped me through the years, and I sincerely hope this will help you. Frankly, I was a bit slow to learn some of these lessons, so here’s hoping this will help you do better. There’s just too much to cover in one article, so we’ll conclude this next week, Lord willing.
Some of you young guys possess great talent, which may have already generated some “buzz” about your preaching. That’s not necessarily bad, but it’s not necessarily good either. It could be that you’re entertaining more than you’re edifying, that you’re gaining more points for style than for substance. Apollos was eloquent, but he was also “mighty in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24), and so if it’s the Scriptures you’re featuring, you should be commended.
Don’t think you have to wow people with every sermon, which is easy to do if you preach nothing but inspirational, motivational, and devotional type sermons. Read carefully through the New Testament epistles. They inspire and motivate (and we all love those passages), but they also inform and educate (not always as exciting). Aim for that balance in your preaching, the same balance seen in the sermons recorded in the Book of Acts. Very detailed lessons on subjects like establishing authority, and on the work, worship, and organization of the local church won’t always have people on the edge of their seat, but they are important, nonetheless.
Speaking of details, don’t say what we’ve heard some say, “If we can just teach people to love God and love others, everything else will take care of itself.” Sorry, but for our love to “abound…in knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9), we’ve got to know the details. Love, just like zeal and sincerity, needs a partner, and that partner is the truth—in all its fullness (read 2 John). So again, preach the devotional elements found throughout Scripture, but preach the details, too. Well informed, well grounded, and well-balanced Christians will be the result.
Doctrinal purity matters to God—in a big way (Matthew 15:9; Acts 2:42; Romans 16:17; et al), so be sure you spend some time refuting religious error. And you can’t do that simply by preaching the truth and hoping they’ll see the difference. To make it crystal clear, you’ll have to at times use the same method Jesus used—“you have heard that it was said…but I say…” (Matthew 5). Of course, we would change the “I say” to “Jesus says.” Many will not appreciate this approach, perhaps even some of your own brethren; but that’s okay, because it’s not about pleasing men, it’s about saving souls.
Move beyond the “elementary principles” (Hebrews 6:1) to “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), but don’t be afraid to come back to the elementary principles, even if brethren have heard them time and time again. Let a generation grow up without this foundation, and we’ll have a mess on our hands. “For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1).
Preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2), and that means more than just an occasional or passing reference to it. Make it the featured attraction, and make sure every conclusion, every application is derived from it. Preaching certainly involves reasoning and persuasion; just make sure you reason and persuade from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2), not apart from them. Good illustrations have their place, too, but it’s easy to get carried away. Don’t let them overpower the message of Christ and turn too much attention toward you (2 Corinthians 4:5). You want your audience to glorify the word (Acts 13:48); you want their faith to “not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.