How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

 

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OVERVIEW: It has been said that the fear of public speaking outweighs the fear of death. This little booklet will show you how to overcome that fear from the Bible's point of view. Once you realize that once we have been given a chance to speak in public, we have been given a golden opportunity, we will understand the secret of public speaking.

Can Christians Get Tattoos?

 

Can Christians get tattoos? The question should not be ‘can’ Christians get tattoos, as if they were breaking the law (Leviticus 19:28), Christians are not under a command forbidding tattoos.

The Bible tells us that Christ gave us a new and living way (Hebrews 10:20); meaning, we are not under Old Testament civil or ceremonial laws. We are under grace (Romans 6:14). Therefore, there are no black and white answers here because it falls under the liberty we have in Christ.

Thus, the question is no longer ‘can’ but ‘should’ a Christian get a tattoo. Maybe better, why would a Christian get a tattoo? What is the message it projects to the world—the people we are supposed to be witnessing to? Does a tattoo promote the image of Christ to the world?

Romans 14

Romans 14 is a passage that many Christians will point to in a discussion of this nature. It is certainly a place to visit when Christians judge each other.

But this is not a discussion about ‘judgement.’ This is a discussion about whether believers should get tattoos—a discussion about what we can learn about the subject from the Bible.

Not so very long ago tattoos were viewed in a negative light. They were traditionally associated with seafarers, ‘heathens,’ gangs, and or prisoners. Only in relatively modern times, when God has been progressively eliminated from the public, tattoos are commonly referred to as ‘body art.’

Nowadays, people put all manner of art on their bodies reflecting lifestyle choices, mottos, beliefs, quotes, beloved family members, heritage, cartoon characters, Bible verses, and the list could go on. Since, in light of Romans 14, there is no command against Christians getting tattoos, should you get a tattoo is best answered between the individual believer and the Lord.

What Else Does the Bible Say?

Those opposed to tattoos may argue that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19); as such, we are to glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20). Marking our bodies with tattoos, they contest, is defacing our physical appearance. It is a strong argument not to get a tattoo. However, the emphasis of this text is on avoiding fornication—an internal defacing of believers, so to speak. As such, though the argument to glorify God in our bodies can be raised here, the Bible gives us more than just that one point to consider.  

We Are Peculiar People

The Bible calls Christians peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9). Back then, the word meant a purchased people—people who were bought by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). God's peculiar people are ‘blood-related’ to Holy God who commands: (1) “be ye holy” in all manner of lifestyle (1 Peter 1:15, KJV) and (2) come out from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17). The idea is that Christians are a called-out group of people separate from the world.

We Are Witnesses of Christ

We are also commanded to teach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20) and be witnesses of Christ's saving power (Acts 1:8). And though all things may be lawful for us (1 Corinthians 6:12), such as getting tattoos, Paul writes they are not always profitable.

We Are to Be Conformed to the Image of Christ

God's purpose for all of us is to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). While this does not mean physical image, it does express the idea of conformity to the attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5). So, we can agree that believers are meant to be more like Christ; to be peculiar people, not like the world.

Christians getting tattoos does tend to normalize the behavior. Attitudes toward tattoos among Christians have changed because we pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11) are perhaps trying to be like the world (e.g. sports stars, actors, wrestlers, other cool people); thus, justifying our desires for tattoos. But what message does the tattoo send to the people around us?

A Few Questions Before Getting Tattooed

If you are a Christian thinking about getting a tattoo and wondering what God’s will is about it, the scripturally anchored questions below may help you decide.

1. Do tattoos give the appearance of sameness to the unsaved; showing less of a difference between unsaved and saved (2 Corinthians 6:17)?

2. Does having a tattoo bring us more into the image of Christ to the lost, or does it bring us more into the image of the world to the lost (Romans 8:29)?

3. Does having a tattoo add more to an image of holiness, or does it give more of an image of worldliness to the world (1 Peter 1:15-16)?

4. Do tattoos make us look more like today's world or does an absence of tattoos give us a more peculiar appearance (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 6:17)?

5. Does having a tattoo promote modesty (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-4)?

6. Is having a tattoo conforming a Christian more to the world system and worldly trends or more to a Christ-like appearance and testimony (Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 6:17)?

7. Is getting a tattoo a personal decision to imitate the world; is it something that pleases God (Galatians 1:10)?

8. Does a tattoo glorify God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20)?

If after answering these questions you are not fully convinced to get a tattoo, you probably should not get one (e.g., Romans 14:23).

Final Thoughts

If a Christian is led to get a tattoo, it would seem contradictory based on what we can glean from the Bible. Christians are called-out separate people being transformed into the image of Christ. However, if a brother or sister is convinced to get one, to their own Master they stand or fall.

END

Author: Jerry S., Pastor, OLBC

Author Bio: Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher and practical theology advocate in the Philippines, with a wide range of experience and education ranging from bachelor to doctorate degrees in various fields, who writes articles, blogs, devotions, e-books, academic papers, and more.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Financial Giving for Believers

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OVERVIEW: In the New Testament, financial giving is a matter of the heart that is not governed by commandment to tithe, wearisome burdens, or compulsion. God leads His children along and carries them in His bosom. God is our Gentle Shepherd—merciful and gracious. He is not demanding or overbearing but seeks the transformation of our hearts in love toward Him. As we draw closer to the Lord in Spirit and in truth, perhaps our thinking will change, our attitudes will adjust, and our hearts will be enlarged to become more joyful in the act of financial giving. Freewill financial giving is a ministry that every believer can take part in when practiced in accordance with New Testament instruction.

Dear Pastor Please Be Nice

Frustrated pastors berating church members is something that at least a few readers may have experienced. Members may be scolded anonymously in weekly sermons, directly, publicly, or privately for not attending all church services, for failing to attend church functions, for not being fully involved in church ministries, or for not coming whenever the church doors are open (yes, that is a thing).

What these same pastors may not realize is that some members are just too tired to attend all church services. They may be making a choice to rest instead of attending every church function; they may have work or study commitments and unable to be fully involved in church ministries, or simply be too exhausted to attend every time the doors of the church building are open.

It is not an uncommon occurrence. But church members could be reluctant to respond to the pastor because, “hey, he is the pastor.” And maybe, they think, “I deserved it.” But the truth is, there are some pastors out there to whom we can say: Dear pastor, please be nice.

The following points are addressed from one pastor to another. They are simple reminders that pastors can forget their blessings and that we should follow Christ’s example of gentleness with the flock of God. 

Do Not Forget Your Blessings

Dear pastor, please do not forget your blessings. If you are a full-time paid minister, your vocation is one totally devoted to the ministry, to spiritual matters. For many believers, that is a wonderful privilege.

You have the blessing of being cared for while leading the church. But not all members have such circumstances. They do not receive payment or privilege for exercising themselves in the things of the Lord. These are things they can only do when they are able to, have the time to do, or have the energy to do, as the Lord opens doors. They must work in their own vocations to provide for their families or personal needs, which can be physically and mentally taxing.

They have graduations to be at, family gatherings, holidays, business meetings, school activities, classes to attend, and any number of activities weighing on them.

Of course, they would like to be in church. What Spirit-filled believer would not? Yes, they need to be in church, but they may be unable to. Could they be putting mammon before church meetings? That is what thoughtful biblical counseling may reveal.

But berating them publicly (or even privately) indicates that you may have forgotten your blessings. It may also reveal that you may have lost touch with the very people you were called to minister to. 

Be Gentle

Dear pastor, it can be difficult sometimes to keep in mind that your role is to feed the flock of God under your charge (John 21:17, 1 Peter 5:2); feed them with the word of God (Jeremiah 3:15), not verbally beat them. Sure, there are times when members need to be rebuked, reproved, or even disciplined. That goes without saying. But in routine situations presented above, maybe aggression is not the best approach.

You may be forgetting that people ought not attend church, church functions, or church ministries because they are pressured to but because they desire to or are led to. God’s way is to gently lead, in love, using His word to transform minds and attitudes—and it should be a pastor’s way too.

The Lord teaches us in His word that shepherds are to be gentle with the flock (Isaiah 40:11). And in fulfilling your role as the Lord's under-shepherd, not overbearing, hard, or selfish (Ezekiel 34:1-6).

The members of your church are out in the world most of the days, weeks, and months, working, living, breathing, moving, and enduring while you remain within the confines of the sanctuary, where you can spend time focusing on spiritual matters.

Do not lose touch with the fact that members sometimes struggle to be in church on Sundays or on Wednesday evenings because they are just simply exhausted. If you are a bi-vocational pastor, you should absolutely know what it is like.

You may want to show compassion (Mark 6:34) rather than frustration. Of course, you desire to see members in church. It is good for them. However, part of being a shepherd is being gentle instead of condemning and disdaining possibly weaker brethren. 

Final Thoughts

This is not meant as an attack on pastors. Indeed, it is meant as a gentle reminder that not every member in the church is able or capable of attending all events, participating in all meetings, and the like. Therefore, let us be nice.

END

Author: Jerry S., Pastor, OLBC

Author Bio: Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher and practical theology advocate in the Philippines, with a wide range of experience and education ranging from bachelor to doctorate degrees in various fields, who writes articles, blogs, devotions, e-books, academic papers, and more.

Photo by Mitchell Leach on Unsplash

How We Can Know If We Love the World

Apart from the physical planet earth, the world is often used in the New Testament in spiritual terms to refer to the corrupt world system (e.g., 1 John 2:16, 4:5). It is a reference to a system where self-centeredness, appearances, and ambition reign. We are urged not to love this world because it is at odds with Christ (e.g., 1 John 2:15-17, John 15:19). But how can we know if we love the world in this sense? We can look to the word of God for the answers.

New Creations in Christ

Believers in Christ are born again into the Kingdom of God (John 3:5). They are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) peculiar people (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9)—the purchased possession of God who are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ His Son (Romans 8:29).

A major component of that image is that, in Christ, we are in the world but no longer of the world (John 17:14–16, John 18:36). We are called to come out from the world in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. We are likened to pilgrims and heavenly citizens passing through this world (Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11, Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 13:14). This has a connection to Colossians 3:1–2—if we have been born again, we ought to be seeking those things which are above.

Jesus taught that if the world hates us, it was because it hated Him first (John 15:18), because Jesus was not of the world, did not think like the world, nor exhibited its practices. The inference is that the world will hate Christ in us (John 15:19) which will be evident when we are seeking those things which are above.

Reflecting on God’s Word

The passages referenced above are not all there are. However, they contain elements to questions we can ask ourselves to answer the question: Do I love the world? The following are several scripturally based reflective questions that come to mind:

1. Am I living as a new creation in Christ (born again) or as an old creation (the old man)?

2. Am I walking in this world as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven or as a citizen of the world? Which kingdom do I identify more with?

3. Am I humbly submitting myself to be conformed to the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit’s leading and teaching or resisting it?

4. Am I seeking those things which are above, or do I look for the latest worldly trends? That is, am I desirous to know more from the word or from the world?

5. Is my mind occupied with God or with the world? Where are my thoughts typically?

6. Are my eyes looking up to God or am I distracted by the things of this world?

7. Am I looking out for others (loving and giving) or looking out for myself only (self-centered)?

8. Am I concerned about developing the inner spirit (spiritual growth) or more concerned about the outward appearances (physical and aesthetic temporal improvements)?

9. Do I seek God’s will in matters, or do I pursue my own will?

10. Am I enjoying the things of God, or am I enjoying the pleasures of sin more?

11. Am I convicted when I do enjoy the pleasures of sin, or have I become desensitized to sin?

12. Does the world see Christ in me and avoid me, does it ask questions about my faith, or does it see itself in me and want to hang out with me?

Of course, believers are told that we cannot completely separate ourselves from the world (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:9-10), but we do not have to be of the world (John 15:19-20).

In Philippians 3:15, Paul tells the church that God will reveal our errors if we are otherwise minded. Therefore, by pursuing Christ, as Paul did (Philippians 3:8-14), we will know where we are weak. If we discover we are, the throne of Grace is open to all in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Parting Words

In the end, this question can only be answered by you with the Holy Spirit’s illuminating guidance. Ask God to reveal areas in your life where the world has taken hold. If you see yourself as more inclined to the world in certain areas and or attached to the things of this world, confess it, and ask God for more grace. Remember, in Christ, every believer has an inexhaustible supply of grace available to them (John 1:16, Hebrews 4:16).

— By Jerry S., Pastor, OLBC

Who Are You Voting For?

How Christians Can Make Best Choices in Elections

Have you ever wondered who you should vote for in the next election? God tells us in the Bible actually. While He does not give us the names, he does reveal what to look for, which will lead you to the more appropriate person for the position(s). It takes study and discernment, but you can know who to give your vote to. Look below for suggestions before casting your vote.

Look for a “Terror”

Romans 13, verses 1-7 (KJV) commands us to “be subject to” the authorities over us. In those same verses we read that “rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil” and that these leaders are “ministers of God” for “our good.” Therefore, the first arrow pointing to the best person is that, ideally, they do not tolerate evil.

In more worldly terms, they are less aligned with evil. Yes, “evil” is an ambiguous word, but discussing what it is would be an entirely different study. Suffice it to say, God’s word tells us clearly the differences between evil and good (e.g., Galatians 5:19-23).

It is unsettling that there are professing Christians out there who do not just support, but proudly support government leadership that reflects ungodliness. As Christian voters, we tend to forget that "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34, KJV).

Rather than support leaders who have a hint of righteousness or a semblance of godly fear, some professing Christians choose to support leaders that are clearly anti-God in their words, decisions, lifestyles, and behaviors. These elected leaders make policy that go against the greater good or attack “good works” rather than protect them.  

Seek Ye First the ‘Kingdom’ of God

Matthew 6:33, the oft-quoted verse, reminds us to seek the kingdom of God, first, and His righteousness, Jesus Christ, over worrying about food or clothing. If we apply this in an earthly sense, instead of thinking ‘what I can get’ from the candidate, seek God’s best for the “kingdom”—think about the “good” the candidate(s) can bring to the entire nation.

In national leadership, state leadership, and other political choices we may have forgotten to pursue the “kingdom of God and His righteousness,” not realizing, or sadly not caring about, the impact on the welfare of the nation these decisions can have.  

When it comes to voting, neither emotional appeals nor selfishness should outweigh Bible-based, critical thinking among God's people. When we vote contrary to the “kingdom,” we are declaring the wisdom of God is not as important as the wisdom of this world. But let us not forget, “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:19, KJV).

Examine Their Hearts

Remember David? God chose him to be king of Israel, not because of his stature or appearance, but because God looked on the inner man, which is of great value to the Lord:

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).

The Apostle Peter reflected the same in his general epistle: "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Peter 3:4, KJV).

The story of David is not a distant anecdote from the ‘Old’ Testament. The Bible says the Old Testament was written for our learning (Romans 15:4, KJV). Let us learn to discern the heart of candidates by examining their words. The Lord told us that what flows from the mouth is what is in the heart (Matthew 15:19). Perhaps if we listen more carefully to what candidates say in different situations (as opposed to campaign speeches only), we can learn what is in their hearts then make more informed biblical decisions.

Prove All Things

Christians are commanded to “prove all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV). First John 4:1 (KJV) commands us to “test the spirits.” That means we need to put potential leaders to the test.

What test? Paul told Timothy that those who consent not to the wholesome words of the Lord Jesus Christ are foolish, proud, and to be rejected (1 Timothy 6:3-5). These are our standards as believers. Candidates who demonstrate a lack of wholesomeness or who reject Christ ought not receive our votes. They will only poison our nation.

Paul also told Timothy to follow after righteousness (1 Timothy 6:5). Do our political choices reflect that? Do we support leadership that shows indications of righteousness in character, in attitudes, in behavior, or the closest thing to it?

Jesus Christ, the humble, meek, Lamb of God, of Isaiah 53 changed the world. Why not look for someone Christlike who can be used of God to change our part of the world?

As Christians, we say that we pray for wisdom and the Lord's will in national elections, but do we? Do we follow God’s word in proving all things? We will not find His will in emotional appeals, grandiose presentations, or physical appearances. If we truly want to vote the best person for the position, we will examine God’s word, where we can find out who that may be.

It Is an Individual Matter

God said in 1 Samuel 12:14, “If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God” (KJV). That gives a clear indication that it is our responsibility as individual believers to choose leaders who are more inclined to the fear of the Lord and “terror” to evil works.

The Bible does tell us who to vote for if we let it. Leadership that is as close to the word of God as possible, is more likely to work for our own good, for the good of the church, and the good of our nation (see Jeremiah 29:7).

Lean Not to Your Own Understanding

Instead of trusting God by following Him, praying, seeking His wisdom, and discerning what to look for in a leader, we tend to lean on our own understanding. However, this kind of thinking conflicts with Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (KJV). The connection here is that we need to examine people by God’s standards and not our own.

Indeed, no leader, whether good or bad, can come to power without God's permission (e.g., Psalm 75:7, Romans 13:1). But we do need to be reminded to do our part as Christians. We need to fear God, think critically (in-line with Scripture), and seek the wisdom of God before making important decisions pertaining to political leadership or in any capacity really.

A Possible Message from God

God has granted the United States the freedom to choose in its elections. In some countries there are no choices. But, if while we say we want God's will we make choices based on our own emotions, wisdom, and ideas, something is wrong. This is vanity—serving Him with the mouth but the heart is far from Him (Matthew 15:8).

Consider these things when you say you want His will in politics but ignore or reject His counsel. In continuing in this manner, we shall surely and collectively reap sorrow from rejecting His counsel. In many ways, we have been, for years.

Below is a fictional narrative of what the Lord might tell us after elections where we failed to adhere to wise counsel. Perhaps it would go something like this:

You said that you were praying for My leading about who to vote for, but you failed to follow My word. I have commanded righteousness, yet you heap up to yourselves leaders who are unrighteous. You honor Me with your lips and say that you want My will yet choose leaders who do not fear me. You seek your own will instead of Mine, taking counsel from the world instead of seeking counsel from Me. Therefore, you must endure more sorrow, reaping the leadership you have sown.

Final Thoughts

As believers, we may say we want the best person for national leadership and other political positions, but we may not really care to seek that person from a biblical perspective. We may be leaning more toward favor or feelings instead of biblical wisdom. It is what we can call Christian speak—sounding Christian but failing to follow through with it.

The biblical principles relevant to choosing government leaders are essential to all believers who cast votes. And this counsel is freely accessible in the Bible for all of us.

So, who are you voting for? Look to the Bible to know who to vote for. The answer is there. Pray for discernment. Ask God for wisdom. We are never going to find a perfect leader until Christ returns, but we can vote for someone who has more arrows pointing to them.

END

Author: Jerry Smith

Author bio: Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher in the Philippines. He has been writing since he was a child and continues to this day. He has a range of experience that includes military service, leadership roles, personnel management, teaching and training, and Christian ministry. He possesses a PhD in Christian Education and has published peer-reviewed articles on the subjects of world ‘Englishes,’ evolution in textbooks, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), and is an avid writer of articles on practical theology. 

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash.com 

Music in the Church

 

Our Ebooks are for your enrichment and edification. They are free to download and share. 

FEATURED: Music in the Church

DOWNLOAD your free copy in .pdf format. No gimmicks, no tricks, just sharing. 

OVERVIEW: Amidst the demands for music that makes “me” feel good, or that “I” like, have we ever stopped to ask the more important question, what does God like? That is, what music does God want for His church? Better yet, what music has God prescribed for the church? "Music in the Church" is a discussion of that very question with exhausting effort to stay true to the exercise of exegesis of the scriptures.

DETAILED OVERVIEW: The topic of music in the church is a sensitive subject and a discussion that can incite the emotions of church members to the point of separation, dividing brethren and even family members. Young people want it one way, middle-aged people want it a certain way, and elderly folks want it another. One culture desires a certain way of so-called worship over another.  

The arguments and their facets are quite extensive. As a result, there are churches that divide their worship services into traditional and contemporary music in an attempt provide something for everyone. However, this creates clear division in the church where strange doctrines can be introduced through music. 

Nevertheless, have we ever stopped and thought that this is exactly what the devil desires for the church—division?

Amidst the demands for music that makes “me” feel good, or that “I” like, have we ever stopped to ask the more important question, what does God like? That is, what music does God want for His church? Better yet, what music has God prescribed for the church? 

"Music in the Church" is a discussion of that very question with exhausting effort to stay true to the exercise of proper exegesis of the scriptures.

END

Biblical Perspective on US Border Security

If we examine U.S. border security, we can see striking similarities between the spiritual and the temporal. The Bible offers a distinction between God and the world. And to enter the kingdom of God, we must be born again.

The book of Revelation tells us there will be people in heaven while others will be on the outside. God does not open the gates of heaven and let everyone in, though everyone is invited.

There is a proper entrance to heaven: Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. No one gets to heaven except through Him. And Christ warned us that those coming into the sheepfold apart from the proper entryway are not the real deal.

America welcomes immigrants. The poem on the Statue of Liberty reads: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The fact that we have immigration policies also demonstrates our open arms.

But as a sovereign nation, we are simply asking that people come through the proper way, use the proper door of immigration, stop illegally crossing our borders, and enter through legal channels. As Christians, we need to find the balance between theology and compassion.

Christians who say that we must show compassion for suffering people are right—as Christians, we must, and as a nation, we do. We are an extremely generous nation. The Good Samaritan took care of his enemy the suffering Jew. The U.S.A. is doing just that by aiding other countries—even those that do not adhere to our values.

Should the U.S. destroy its way of life to allow people who illegally cross our borders to take advantage of or harm us? And what of reports of terrorists entering the country? Are we to love our enemies to our own demise?

True, we are commanded to love our enemies, but not knowingly bring them into our homes to hurt us and our families. Just to be Christian, some would jeopardize the safety of their fellow citizens and loved ones to bring unvetted people into the country.

Churches and groups of Christians who sidestep the law to accommodate illegal immigrants forsake God's command to obey the government, placing their ideologies above God's command, while putting the lives of fellow Americans at risk.

Jesus Christ showed us balance between loving your enemies and not letting your enemies harm you. We forget that during His earthly ministry, even Christ avoided areas where people wanted to harm Him because it was not yet His time. He escaped persecutors who were intent on killing Him.

In saying that we should accept everyone that crosses our borders illegally, some Christians intimate they know better than God. Until people have been properly screened, we should take a lesson from God. If God makes distinctions between people and requires proper entry to heaven, can we not apply those points to this situation? Are emotions and trends getting in the way of our Christianity?

END

Author: Jerry S., Pastor, OLBC

Photo by Levi Meir on Unsplash.com

7 Practical Ways Preachers Can Get Sermon Ideas

Preachers are tasked to deliver sermons at least once a week. At times, this requirement increases to two or even three messages per week. That places a heavy load on pastors who may run out of ideas for messages in the long haul.

As a result, preachers can stress over this, which ends up working against him gaining fresh ideas. That is the downside of the situation. The upside, and you may not realize it, is that new ideas are all around you. The following references may give you fresh perspective on an old dilemma.

1. Observe Creation

In Psalm 1:1-3 we read that the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork; that day and night they show knowledge and can be heard by all. Psalm 139 also speaks of the wonder of God’s works. So, if you are attentive to the world around you, you may find that it declares God in His Creation. Observe the mountains and how they may have been formed in a worldwide flood, or observe the sunset, look up at the stars, examine a tree, a bird, or a nest, or some human parts or processes. The world is filled with the wonders of God’s wisdom and understanding. What a great subject to develop then point people to Christ. Paul did it in Acts 17, and it worked.

2. Observe People

Solomon wrote about a young man he was watching from his window that was “void of understanding” (Proverbs 7:6–27, KJV). Solomon noted how this young man went down the wrong path and the consequences thereof. Eventually, those words became part of the book of Proverbs for all of us to learn from. The idea: Look around you for both positive and negative examples of spiritual truths that align with Scripture. Keep a pen and paper handy to write down ideas as you see them or have your cellphone available for recordings.

3. Observe Situations

Solomon also wrote about going by the field of a slothful (lazy) man and receiving instruction from it (Proverbs 24:30–34). How did he do that? He approached the situation with a mind that was receptive to instruction. Again, those words are found in the book of Proverbs which people have read and learned from over the centuries. What can we learn from this? Be tuned in to sermon ideas by seeing biblical instruction in the circumstances around us. Consider what the Bible says about a situation you observe. Ask the Lord to teach you something about it. Meditate on it in light of the word of God. You never know, someone in your congregation may be struggling with something similar, and the Lord wanted them to hear that message.

4. Read the Bible

Sermon ideas are available to us from God and His word. David wrote that God taught his hands to war in Psalm 18:34. Second Timothy 3:16 tells us that we can find instruction in the word of God. We read in 1 Corinthians 2:13 that the Holy Spirit teaches us. Why not listen? Proverbs 16:23 says that the heart of the wise teaches himself: The caveat being the wise person is the one who fears the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). Proverbs 1:5 tells us that a wise man will hear and increase learning. But we also read that the LORD gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). Second Peter 3:18 (KJV) supports this by the command that we are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” So, if you are not sure what you can preach, look to God and His word for instruction that can lead to sermon ideas.

5. Examine the Attributes of God

We read in Isaiah 6:5 the angels proclaiming day and night, “holy, holy, holy,” to the Lord. This is the chief attribute of God but not the only one. We read God is compassionate. We read He is Merciful; that He is love. We can imply from Genesis 1:1 that He is solitary, and from Exodus 3:14 that He is eternal as “I AM.” Nehemiah 9:5-6 expresses that His name is above our praise, that He is self-sufficient. A short study of the Bible can reveal multiple attributes of God. Each attribute is worthy of deeper study and can be presented as individual messages. I know because I’ve done it, and it enriched the church.

6. Observe Movies

If you are a movie watcher, you have a message resource available to you. Whether it is the Christian experience that embraces God, the corrupt human experience that rejects God, or the fictional experience where God could be working. If you cannot see anything in the world around you, movies can provide both positive and negative content. I have found certain movies to be rich sources of sermon ideas because you can see attitudes and behaviors to construct sermons from. Movies are something that people can relate to, to show them a new perspective of God, spiritual life, or their walk with Christ.

7. Walk with Christ

In 1 John 1:3 (KJV), the apostle John wrote: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” He wrote from his own personal walk with Jesus Christ. The Lord, before ascending, told His disciples: “ye shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8 KJV). Again, this “witnessing,” or sharing, is based on a personal walk with the Lord. Not sure what to preach about? Then look to the Lord and how He has been working with and in you. Ideas can come from lessons learned, scriptural revelations, answered prayers, fellowship, and personal examples that follow biblical truths.

These are practical ways for new or veteran preachers to gain fresh sermon ideas. They are practical because they are not far from preachers who should be walking closely with the Lord, who are interacting with people and the world around them, who should be reading and studying the Bible, and who should have the word of God available in their hearts and minds for the Holy Spirit to draw out. 

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Author: Jerry S., Pastor, OLBC

Author bio: Jerry is a bi-vocational missionary pastor-teacher and practical theology advocate in the Philippines, with a wide range of experience and education ranging from bachelor to doctorate degrees in various fields, who writes articles, blogs, devotions, e-books, academic papers, and more. 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash