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HOMILETICS

HOMILETICS


Preaching with a Purpose

I. Definition: "Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through him to his hearers."

Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching, page 20.

  1. Nehemiah 8:7,8
  2. Requirement:
    1. Ezra &:10
    2. Hebrews 5:12-14

II. Developing a Message

  1. Begin at the beginning:
    1. Start with text
    2. Start with a topic
  2. Develop a statement of purpose: eg. marriage messages
    1. Why does this need to be preached?
    2. Why should anyone listen?
    3. Purpose becomes touchstone for inclusion or exclusion.
    4. Forms basis of conclusion, introduction.
  3. Some Purposes Illustrated:
    1. Expand understanding: attack presuppositions, shape world view. eg. Husbands, wife roles.
    2. Motivation: approach attitudes, affections; encourage, exhort: perseverance, service, joy, use of time
    3. Behavior: Divorce, chastity, mixed marriages, giving
  4. The purpose will expose the Main Idea (or theme): This also should be stated in a short exact sentence.
    1. Purpose: to motivate to moral purity (1 Cor 6)
    2. Main idea: God desires moral purity
    3. Purpose: get folk to realize importance of church membership
    4. Main idea: Salvation forms a cooperate entity (Eph 1,4)
    5. Main idea can be developed by being explained, proved, or applied

Homework:

1. Analyze Peter's message in Acts 2:14-38

What is the purpose?
What is the main idea?
How is the main idea developed?

2. If you have trouble with No.1 try to do the same with Paul's message in Acts 13:16-41

3. Parts of Paul's letters are developed along the line of a message (as such they are easy to develop into a message following the same lines). Analyze the following section of scripture. List what you see as the PURPOSE of each passage (What is Paul trying to get his readers to do?) MAIN IDEA or THEM



  • PASSAGE PURPOSE MAIN IDEA
    1 Cor 1:10-17 Create unity Divisions based on personalities are wrong
    1 Cor 5:1-13

    1 Cor 8:1-13

    1 Cor 15:12-19

    1 Cor 16:1-4


    Study 2: Purpose


    I. Take a few minutes to share what you learned in your analysis of the messages in Acts (Chs 2,13).

    II. Take a few minutes to share what you saw as Paul's purpose and main idea in each of the passages in 1 Corinthians.

    III. Take a few minutes to discuss possible main ideas for messages from I Cor 5:1-13

    IV. Homework: Analyze the messages to the 7 churches in Revelation chs. 2,3 and 7 separate messages.

    MESSAGE TO CHURCH PURPOSE MAIN IDEA
    Ephesus Encouragement/Reproof Good perseverance in Doctrine; short on love
    Smyrna

    Pergamum

    Thyatira

    Sardis

    Philadelphia

    Laodicea

    1. Suppose you were going to preach a series of 7 messages on these churches. Make a list of things you would need to know more about if you were going to preach such a series. Where could you go to find this information?
    2. Pick one of the church passages above which you think would be a good basis for a message to our church.
      1. Outline the passage.
      2. Write a purpose statement for what you believe the Lord would have a purpose for a message to your church.
      3. Look at your outline of the passage. What would be the main idea you would focus on from the passage which would achieve the purpose you stated in No2. State that idea in a complete sentence.


    Study 3: Developing a Message

    I. Steps in Developing a Message

    1. Find a portion of scripture
    2. Find main idea of passage
    3. Analyze development of idea
    4. Think of how idea may apply today
    5. State purpose of message
      1. Is it to expand understanding
      2. Is it to motivate
      3. Is it to change behavior
    6. Develop message along lines of idea in passage especially if purpose of message corresponds with author's purpose. eg. 7 churches of Revelation
    7. Idea can be EXPLAINED, PROVED, APPLIED
    II. Example: I Corinthians 8:1-13
    1. Main idea/purpose
    2. Outline passage: Trace flow of argument
    3. Who is Paul addressing? Any balancing scripture to other side?
    III. Message for Church
    1. Main idea/purpose
    2. Development
    Look for illustrations as main points take shape. Intermediate applications fall within sub-points.


    Study 4: Developing a Message


    I. Three Aspects to the Message:
    1. Introduction
    2. Body
    3. Conclusion
    II. Develop Body First:
    1. Analyze passage looking for sermonic idea
      1. Outline section of scripture (last week)
      2. Research needed facts in order to understand passage:
        1. Bible Dictionary
        2. Encyclopedia
        3. Commentary
        4. Word studies
    2. Develop Purpose centering on main idea (this may be refined as go over body)

      1. Write a clear statement of purpose (Why am I preaching this, why should these people listen?)
      2. Think of tact to take in presenting main idea (inductive, deductive, series of questions, etc.)
      3. Illustration I Cor 8
    3. State main idea, thesis, proposition, etc.

      1. Outline main points
      2. Make sure logical flow
      3. Make sure all main points tie in with main idea and/or purpose
      4. Illustration I Cor 8
    4. Go over main points: developing subpoints (explain, illustrate, prove, apply)

      1. Illustration I Cor 8

    III. Develop Conclusion:
    1. Should logically follow from body!
    2. Should fulfill purpose: move to action.
    3. Should be short! No new information.
    4. Illustrations I Cor 8
    IV. Develop Introduction:
    1. Purpose explicit
    2. Tact on body taken
    3. Explain where headed and why (except inductive)
    4. Capture interest!
    5. Be short (1/8 of message intro)
    6. Illustration I Cor 8
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