10 Things that make a Sermon Boring

[Marnie]

How about if they just read their notes and never look up???

BORING!!

NO! Not at all. It is said of Spurgeon that late in his career, with failing eyesight, he had to read his notes right in front of his face to see them. It's not the presentation, it the SPIRIT behind the man behind the pulpit that makes all the difference. Give me the Word, exposited with care and skill, seasoned liberally with the Holy Ghost, and I am happy.

[apothanein kerdos]

One of the best sermons, and most informative sermons, I have ever heard was also the only time I've ever seen anyone read a sermon.

The reason some people read their sermons is because they pack so much information into them that they don't want to miss any of the points.

I mean, honestly...these points are the reason people aren't being fed in church. We're trying to entertain them and keep their attention - we aren't really feeding them. It is like giving candy to babies, they get what they want, sugar, but when they need something healthy, they won't pay attention. This leads to deformities in real life, I assure you it will do the same in their spiritual walk.

[Marnie]

One of the best sermons, and most informative sermons, I have ever heard was also the only time I've ever seen anyone read a sermon.

The reason some people read their sermons is because they pack so much information into them that they don't want to miss any of the points.

I mean, honestly...these points are the reason people aren't being fed in church. We're trying to entertain them and keep their attention - we aren't really feeding them. It is like giving candy to babies, they get what they want, sugar, but when they need something healthy, they won't pay attention. This leads to deformities in real life, I assure you it will do the same in their spiritual walk.

Preach it, bro!

[Kabowd]

One of the best sermons, and most informative sermons, I have ever heard was also the only time I've ever seen anyone read a sermon.

The reason some people read their sermons is because they pack so much information into them that they don't want to miss any of the points.

I mean, honestly...these points are the reason people aren't being fed in church. We're trying to entertain them and keep their attention - we aren't really feeding them. It is like giving candy to babies, they get what they want, sugar, but when they need something healthy, they won't pay attention. This leads to deformities in real life, I assure you it will do the same in their spiritual walk.

I'm going to take a stab and guess that you're talking about....oh...The Reach of the Cross?

[Guest lnj]

How about if they just read their notes and never look up???

BORING!!

NO! Not at all. It is said of Spurgeon that late in his career, with failing eyesight, he had to read his notes right in front of his face to see them. It's not the presentation, it the SPIRIT behind the man behind the pulpit that makes all the difference. Give me the Word, exposited with care and skill, seasoned liberally with the Holy Ghost, and I am happy.

Maybe we should ALL listen to the sermons with our eyes closed,(seriously) then it wouldn't matter if the preacher was moving or standing still....we would be simply listening to the Word annointed by the Spirit., which is what we ALL want to hear.

And of course their ARE those who are Gifted in their delivery of the Word.

Jesus was a very charismatic person and had listeners hanging onto His very Word.

I think I may just try the eyes closed approach this Sunday...

[apothanein kerdos]

One of the best sermons, and most informative sermons, I have ever heard was also the only time I've ever seen anyone read a sermon.

The reason some people read their sermons is because they pack so much information into them that they don't want to miss any of the points.

I mean, honestly...these points are the reason people aren't being fed in church. We're trying to entertain them and keep their attention - we aren't really feeding them. It is like giving candy to babies, they get what they want, sugar, but when they need something healthy, they won't pay attention. This leads to deformities in real life, I assure you it will do the same in their spiritual walk.

I'm going to take a stab and guess that you're talking about....oh...The Reach of the Cross?

Good guess

It's seriously one of the best sermons I've ever heard. If it were more widespread, I promise you that people two hundred years from now would be studying it.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

One thing that I noticed by reading this thread is that everyone is different! Thank G-d we are!!

Trey, I appreciate your heart in wanting to make the message received well. G-d sees the heart and as you ask the Holy Spirit to empower you and fill you with HIS word, it won't be boring.

I disagree with those who say there is something wrong with things such as Power Point or other tools, these can be GOOD things and can help those people who are inclined to tune sermons out. These tools can keep people's attention long enough to HEAR the words of life!

We have to remember that not every seat is filled with a Christian who desires to be filled with the word. There should be non-Christians, nominal Christians, backslidden Christians and those who simply are there to play church. If you keep their attention they might be more in tune with the words and the Spirit.

I pray blessings upon your ministry and your desire to share the word with the World!

[Floatingaxe]

Shalom,

One thing that I noticed by reading this thread is that everyone is different! Thank G-d we are!!

Trey, I appreciate your heart in wanting to make the message received well. G-d sees the heart and as you ask the Holy Spirit to empower you and fill you with HIS word, it won't be boring.

I disagree with those who say there is something wrong with things such as Power Point or other tools, these can be GOOD things and can help those people who are inclined to tune sermons out. These tools can keep people's attention long enough to HEAR the words of life!

We have to remember that not every seat is filled with a Christian who desires to be filled with the word. There should be non-Christians, nominal Christians, backslidden Christians and those who simply are there to play church. If you keep their attention they might be more in tune with the words and the Spirit.

I pray blessings upon your ministry and your desire to share the word with the World!

Amen, Vickilynn!

[apothanein kerdos]

Shalom,

One thing that I noticed by reading this thread is that everyone is different! Thank G-d we are!!

Trey, I appreciate your heart in wanting to make the message received well. G-d sees the heart and as you ask the Holy Spirit to empower you and fill you with HIS word, it won't be boring.

I disagree with those who say there is something wrong with things such as Power Point or other tools, these can be GOOD things and can help those people who are inclined to tune sermons out. These tools can keep people's attention long enough to HEAR the words of life!

We have to remember that not every seat is filled with a Christian who desires to be filled with the word. There should be non-Christians, nominal Christians, backslidden Christians and those who simply are there to play church. If you keep their attention they might be more in tune with the words and the Spirit.

I pray blessings upon your ministry and your desire to share the word with the World!

It doesn't matter what the audience is - truth is truth, and you CANNOT conform the truth to the audience. You must conform the audience to the Truth. When you begin to say that you shouldn't preach on things in the Bible that are no longer relevant for today, or that we shouldn't discuss how a Greek word is supposed to be used, you begin to devalue the Truth.

[AndrewA]

Preaching is a gift, some people have it some don