This hermeneutical journey report will highlight the Swing method provided by Nancy Lamers Grossman in her book, If You Cannot Preach Like Paul. This particular sermon writing process focuses on the scripture text John1:1-18, and it will be written and preached in a style that reflects Anna Carter Florence’s Testimonial Methodology.
Choosing the Text:
This particular sermon is being prepared for an evening vesper service on the first Sunday of Advent. This will be the third service of the day for this particular congregation, and it will follow the morning services, which will have been guided by the lectionary text for that day. For this particular service, candle light, and light in general, is a main theme. The congregation will sit within the sanctuary, and the only light will be from the candle light and Advent decoration. Also, this service is to help congregation members prepare their hearts for the Advent season in its entirety. It is a service that marks the beginning of an important journey. I chose the passage John1:1-18 in an attempt to meet the two main needs that this service requires, light imagery and preparation for the coming of Jesus. The light is significant in this text because the author refers to Jesus being the light for the world that sits in darkness, which seemed to me to be a great place to start for this particular service. Additionally, this passage is the gospel text for this upcoming Christmas Daily Text reading. I felt that if this is to
Dr. Adam L. Hughes is the Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With over sixteen years of pastoral experience, Hughes’s practical experience and academic prowess not only make him the perfect professor, but also the perfect Director for the Adrian Rogers Center for Expository Preaching.
The book also focuses on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus discusses those that are blessed and why they are blessed and also the kingdom of heaven. Jesus discusses faith-community and what is required of disciples including reconciliation with others. The book discusses Jesus and his righteousness. Jesus gives instructions in dealing with those who cause harm to is folowers and believers. The book addresses the question as to whether to literally or figuratively take the commands of Jesus.
Earley & Gutierrez (2010) “Ministry Is…How to Serve Jesus with Passion and Confidence” (Nashville: Broadman & Holman).
Jonathan Edwards use of restatement, repetition, logos, pathos, and ethos, in his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” make his pastoral very persuasive. He spoke with such persuasion that his congregation are told to have screamed in terror. Even though he spoke with no emotion Edwards had to pause his preaching to request the silence of the congregation.
In this project, I will describe a scenario in which I am developing within my own ministry to engage people in helping them think theologically. The Church today is suffering greatly because many people are not engaged in Scripture, practicing spiritual disciplines, or thinking theologically. I hope to create a pattern to correct that and give them the ability to not just learn a little each week from a sermon, but take everything that comes at them and learn from it, while giving them the ability to teach others as well.
The Battle of Milvian Bridge took place on October 28th 312 AD. At the time the church and Christianity was not a very accepted religion at this time in Rome, with many Catholic being killed for their religious beliefs. This event is considered one the most important events in the church’s history and without this event the shape of Christianity would be much different today. The battle of Milvian Bridge changed the Religion of Rome and changed the way Christianity was perceived. This event also changed the power and authority in the Roman emperor.
The book was very well put together with principal concepts, but it was not always easy to follow and some sections had to be read twice for clear comprehension. The message could have been portrayed using straightforward writing that would enable undergraduates and others that are not seeking higher levels of education to process the information. In simpler terms, this book can be essential to pastors, for personal relationships, and other professions if the language is simplified and made more user-friendly.
Paul’s purpose in writing this book is to teach against the false teaching’s being taught there.
The author, John Piper, is a retired pastor, author, and theologian. Piper wants his readers to know that the goal of preaching is the glory of God (21). Piper also states that the ground of preaching is the cross of Christ, and the gift of preaching comes from the power of the Holy Spirit (23). Piper accomplishes his goal within both parts of the book. Part one is dedicated to why God should be supreme in preaching, and part two is how to make God supreme in preaching. This a great book for students, pastors, and those within the church. Piper reminds his audience that God is the focus of preaching and nothing else. This review will summarize, review, and critique the work while providing a conclusion.
Tutankhamen, who is also known as King Tutankhamen or King Tut, was a king who ruled in the Egyptian Dynasty for ten years until he was nineteen years old. King Tut’s lineage dates back to Amenhotep II and the son of Akhenaten. Unfortunately, King Tut’s reign of power came to a quick end due to his unforeseen death. There are many myths or rumors associated with the death of King Tut. King Tut’s legacy was lost until a British archaeologist named Howard Carter discovered the young pharaoh’s tomb in 1922. Since the discover of his tomb there has been numerous studies of his body to discover the true reason behind his death.
Barry, John D. James: Simply the Gospel. Not Your Average Bible Study. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.
- It does not need to be a physical flight; fleeing can also be seen as flight, - in Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain, inman is on his journey home from
The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a changing culture By Will McRaney, Jr. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Academic, 2003, 268 pp., $19.99 paper.
Each of the four Gospels contains points in ecclesiology. In the Great Commission, Jesus’ last instruction to the Apostles is to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching people (Matthew 28:19-20). For Jesus’ mission to continue and for his Church to grow, discipleship is necessary. Discipleship is a prominent theme in all four Gospels, for purposes of this essay, only the Gospels of John and Luke-Acts will be analyzed. The similarities regarding discipleship in these Gospels include images of the net and fishing, and the sheep/shepherd/sheepfold. The differences include the preparing of the Twelve to carry on Jesus' ministry in Luke, and service to the community and passing of authority in John's Gospel.
Reflecting on this week assignment, “The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative,” Haddon W. Robinson enlightened me on the importance of going back to re-read also study the Old Testament. However, through further study, I glean there is a hermeneutical side also a homiletical side that will help me improve my sermons bristle with accuracy, clarity, interest, also relevance. Preaching an Old Testament narrative is challenging due to the fact of misreading them (Scriptures), read them poorly, or read them to prove a point outside the purpose of the biblical storyteller. This is called abuse of the Bible considering, it leads to what God says is bearing false witness.