How to Teach & Preach from the Inside Out | Pete Scazzero

https://www.podbean.com/ea/dir-z676d-f63047b

The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast | How to Teach & Preach from the Inside Out

Summary

1. Am I preaching for Jesus out of a life of being with Jesus? (who we are is more important than what we say)
2. Am I present to myself & to people in the room? (see & love them)
3. Am I allowing the text to intersect with my family of origin & culture?
4. Am I preaching out of vulnerability & weakness? (need time to let text go into & break you)
5. Am I allowing the text to transform me?
6. Am I connecting the message to people’s long-term formation?

Emerging divides & church splits

Carey Nieuwhof writes on emerging divides and church splits which are probably already happening or accelerating (largely due in part to the Covid pandemic) or coming in the near future. Each of these (and collectively) will likely greatly influence and impact whether churches will be well-positioned, effective in accomplishing their mission, and thrive in the future post-pandemic world.

• Online-optional vs. fully hybrid
• Bringing people back vs. moving people forward
• Judging vs. embracing (loving)
• Ideology vs. gospel-driven

Read the full article here.

The whole counsel of God

In Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian church elders, he says, “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, ESV). Other versions note that Paul did not hesitate to proclaim to them the whole will of God (NIV), or the whole purpose of God (NAS).

In June 2001, John MacArthur accomplished something that is extremely rare in Christendom. He finished preaching through the entire New Testament, verse by verse. To his church’s knowledge, this had not been done in over a hundred years or more. The one person that comes to mind is John Gill, who preached through both the Old and New Testaments in the 1700s. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (minister of Westminster Chapel in London for almost 30 years) took more than 12 years (1955-1968) to preach verse by verse through the book of Romans. These are feats that every pastor-preacher should seek to esteem, but is challenging to ever emulate.

To know, gain & be found in Christ

How do you normally introduce yourself, or how do we introduce new people in our midst? Often we begin with our name and title, followed by our function or position, together with the company or organization we represent. “This is Dr. (so-and-so), CEO of ABC company.” Throughout the ages, societies and mankind tend to focus on status and stature, rather than substance or character. This was true in Paul the Apostle’s time as well. In Philippians 3, he begins by listing his pedigree heritage, achievements and accolades (vv. 5-6). But in an interesting twist, he goes on to consider them as loss or rubbish, in contrast to something, or someone, far superior – that is, to know, to gain, and to be found in Christ.

Firstly, he counts everything in his life a loss for Christ’s sake, in his own words, compared to “the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” This knowledge of Christ extends much further than just mere head knowledge or information about someone. It describes an intimate, active and growing relationship with Jesus, cultivated through walking with Him in abiding trust and surrendered obedience.

Do not forget or fade

As we reflect on the topic of raising the next generation, it is worth to consider this verse in Deut. 4.9:

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

What does passing the faith on to future generations encompass? God reminds us in His Word that firstly, it begins with ourselves. We are to be careful, or to give heed to ourselves, and to watch ourselves closely, or to keep our souls diligently. Why is this important? Our life is our best witness to the generations after us, not our achievements, not our words or teachings, but the way we live our lives.

Disciplines 2 | 1 Timothy 4.1-12

… discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come … Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

1 Timothy 4.7-8, 12
Sermon audio
Sermon powerpoint

Don’t stop believing

For those unaware, earlier this week, apocalyptic news sites began reporting of a claim by numerologist David Meade that the end of the world was going to be ushered in tomorrow (23 April) by the appearance of a mysterious Planet X (see related banner here). In case you might assume this is part of a comic-book superhero movie plotline, think again. A quick Google search will confirm that this is not fake news; but it could well be a fake speculation again, being that this is actually the sixth time Meade is claiming this since 2003.

Discernment 1 – Proverbs 1.1-7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:1-7 NASB
Sermon audio
Sermon powerpoint

Seven last words of Jesus Christ

1. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Lk. 23.34)
2. Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. (Lk. 23.43)
3. Woman, behold, your son! Behold, your mother! (Jn. 19.26-27)
4. My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me? (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34)
5. I am thirsty. (Jn. 19:28)
6. It is finished! (Jn 19:30)
7. Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit. (Lk. 23:46)

Discontent 1 – Psalm 63

Psalm 63 NASB
Sermon audio
Sermon powerpoint