What do you Expect form a Sermon?

Do you expect your funny bone to be tickled? Your ears to be scratched? Or, your conscience to be soothed? Do you expect yours eyes to be opened? Or, your heart to be stirred. Maybe, your conscience to be pricked.

Firstly, was Peter’s sermon on Pentecost calculated to soothe the conscience or to prick the conscience (Acts 2:37)? Also, in Paul’s sermon to Felix, was it intended to tickle his funny bone or to open his heart (Acts 24:25)?

Someone has said that preaching is designed to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. However, with no intent at all to “brow beat” we must still face the facts. Above all, the facts reveal that there are still far too many “at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1). We also need to always speak the truth in love.

Participation is Mandatory to Enter Heaven

What about poor Sunday evening and Wednesday evening attendance? And, about a lack of deep, meaningful, feeling for the less fortunate? Further, what about our fervor to win that lost friend or neighbor to Christ? Or, for instance how about our failure to visit the hospitals? How about our fear to restore the fallen? Finally, what about our negligence in strengthening that new-born babe in Christ?

In conclusion, don’t you think that it’s quite apparent that the “cult of the comfortable” still has far too many members? And, if one of the responsibilities of preaching a sermon is to “afflict the comfortable,” don’t we stand in need of being afflicted?

Certainly, IF YOUR FAITH WILL NOT TAKE YOU TO WORSHIP, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE YOU TO HEAVEN?

So, REMEMBER Hebrews 10:25 FORSAKE NOT.

—– Just some thoughts for the new year. —–

See Also: Truth | No Substitute for God

In Christian Love,
Bill Arnold, Minister
Ridgeway Church of Christ
Harrison Arkansas

YOU MUST DO THESE THINGS to Become a Christian

Becoming a Christian, Saved, Born Again, In Christ, or becoming a new creature all talk about salvation. 

1) You must believe and confess that Jesus is the son of God. John 8:24 Jesus said you must believe that He is the Christ the Son of the living God. Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:36-37 further tells us to confess that Jesus is God’s son.

2) Luke 13:3 Jesus said you must repent of your sins.

3) Mark 16:16 Jesus said you must be baptized.

4) Live faithfully unto death. 1 John 1:2

Therefore, as a new creature, a Christian, we will live faithfully unto death and then arise to live forever with God. In conclusion, this is the God who loves you, who wants you to be his child. You can become the child of a King!

Won’t you heed His word?