THE BEACON - Electronic Edition - 3/24/04 Sermon Preparation It is a foregone conclusion that before a good sermon can be delivered a great amount of preparation is involved. Hours of study, information accumulated, often times over a period 'of several years, meditation, prayer, research, meditation on, prayer, make up the list of activities. This is a part of the work of the preacher; it is necessary to the success of his 'efforts' and expected by all who benefit from his efforts. The very strong possibility, in most cases at least, exists that the preacher benefits from this far more than any other. The rewards from adequate preparation are many. The very hope of seeing someone obey the Lord is a strong incentive; the evidence of greater knowledge and understanding in another and the strengthening of the faith of all make the effort worthwhile. Yet, there are some puzzling and perplexing things with respect to sermon preparation. Is all the preparation to be made by the preacher or teacher in the delivery of the lesson? What about those who will listen to the gospel and meditate upon it for proper application? Are they required to do any preparing? The human mind, sometimes referred 'to as the heart in' the Bible, is a complex mechanism. For the serious things of life, it has to be prepared and tuned. Unlike a radio, watch, or a television set, more than an instant to twist a knob or push a button is involved. To profit to the fullest one's heart must be tuned to worship, to tile sermon, to the Lord's Supper 'and to 'the song service and prayers. If not tuned, the static and interference will have its affect. Preparation of mind and heart produces the attitude that makes for a good sermon from the listener's standpoint as well as the preacher. In the very same audience some will be touched and moved and others will be left cold and. indifferent. To the one it is a good sermon and to the other there just wasn't much to it. What is the difference? In the same audience one will be impressed by the power of the gospel and the forceful presentation of it and another will be turned off because the speaker's voice was husky, he coughed continually, he was too serious, he was too pert and too this or that and on and on---. What makes this difference? Why is there such a wide range of reactions to the same sermon? Is it because' of the preacher's preparation or the listener's preparation? I suggest, in most instances, it is due to the preparation of the listener. Regardless of how much preparation a preacher makes before delivering a sermon, if the audience hasn't made some preparation too, it will be a big flop. The parable of the sower recorded in Luke 8 stresses the value of having the proper attitude of heart. The different soils represented the different conditions of heart to which the seed, the word of God (Luke 8:11), would b e exposed. The reaction was varied, not because of the quality or method of administering the seed but because of the condition of the soil. The varied reactions within the sane audience of people to a sermon are not explained by the presentation of the seed but by the attitudes of heart to which it is exposed. Whether a sermon is good or bad is largely dependent upon preparation, the preacher's and those that will hear him. If the heart of the listener is in tune to the glory and power of the gospel, this is what he will hear in every faithful presentation of the truth. If, as a listener, I have failed to make the right preparation by prayer, meditation and stirring within the joy of worshipping God and studying his word, the sermon will be a "dud," the singing a "drag," and the whole effort a big "0." The value of preparation is not be minimized. I am going to do mine. Will you do yours? If we will, every sermon will be a "good'un" and every period of worship an inspiration. - by Julian R. Snell _______________________________________________ "It's Too Far To Drive!" It never ceases to amaze this writer that people who are so meticulous concerning their physical well-being often times become so careless about their spiritual welfare. People in our area will drive for miles to a little town in order to eat in a restaurant which is considered by many to have the best food and most reasonable prices. If we can save a few cents on clothing by shopping in another town, whether ten, twenty or even one-hundred miles away, we scarcely give it a second thought. Why, we would not think of buying our groceries at the store next door if the supermarket down the street or in the next town has the same items at a cheaper price. But, when it comes to feasting on the word of the Lord with faithful brethren in a sound church a few miles away, the expression is heard, "It's so far to drive." There must be something wrong with one's thinker who believes it all right to drive a few miles in order to feed and clothe his body but too far to drive in order to feed and clothe his soul. Brethren, is your spiritual well-being any less important than your physical welfare? Is ten or twenty miles so far when your soul hangs in the balance? Your soul is too precious for you to worship in a church where there are unscriptural practices just because it happens to be a little closer to where you live. If you consider your soul more valuable than money; then worship with a faithful church. - by James B. Lusby __________________________________________________ Homosexual 'Marriage' Considerable news coverage has been centered on the recent development of homosexual marriages in California and other states. We have repeatedly been exposed to video footage of men with men and women with women standing before magistrates and exchanging vows. Holding hands and kissing one another, they profess their joy over now being "married." We've also seen confrontations between those who support these homosexual marriages and others who oppose them. Unfortunately, the news media has slanted the reporting to suggest that those in opposition are fanatics, weirdoes, and hate-mongers. On the other hand, the supporters of these gay unions (including some very liberal theologians) have been depicted as kind, loving, tolerant, and understanding. To them, this perversion should be accepted as normal and good. It is apparent that the homosexuals and their supporters have no regard for God or His will. The Bible could not be clearer in its condemnation of homosexuality: "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves . . . for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly . . . who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:24-32) One would be led to believe that a large percentage of the U.S. population is homosexual, and that this new "norm" of homosexual acceptance (including the right to marry) is natural considering the numbers of people involved. In reality, it is only the result of an aggressive promotion of the homosexual agenda. The National Health and Social Life Survey (the most widely accepted study of sexual practices in the U.S.) found that only 2.8% of males and 1.4% of females in the U.S. identify themselves as homosexual. This is not a matter that is subject to argument, debate, or vote. The Word of God has already told us -- it is a sin. - by Greg Gwin ____________________________________________ Trends . . . In a poll taken by the Gallup Organization in October, 2000, 59% of Americans reported that they read the Bible at least occasionally, which is down from 73% in the 1980s. The percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37% -- down from 40% in 1990. - via www.gallup.com 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." _____________________________________________ Some quotes worth pondering . . . "The surest way to happiness is to lose yourself in a cause greater than yourself." "Worry doesn't help tomorrow's troubles, but it does ruin today's happiness." "You are judged by your actions, not your intentions." "The fellow who does things that count doesn't usually stop to count them." "The person who looks up to God rarely looks down on people." "Humility makes a man feel smaller as he becomes greater." ______________________________________________ News from Collegevue . . . March 21, 2004 We are very glad to see you, and we hope you will be blessed by the time you spend here today. We extend a very special greeting to all of our visitors, and we hope you will come again soon. As was announced on Wednesday, due to the rapid development of plans for the new congregation in Spring Hill, including the acquisition of property and the beginning of a building project, it has been decided that this morning will be the last time those brethren will meet here. Beginning this evening the new group will meet as a congregation and the work will commence. We will certainly miss these folks as a part of the Collegevue family - especially noting the important work of David, Ted, and Don as elders, and Jackie and Andy as deacons - but we rejoice in the opportunities that have come together to make this new work possible. We pray for God's continued blessings upon both congregations, and offer Him all the glory. Please keep praying about this important effort. Prayers for the sick are much needed, including: Jerry Riggins, Ted and Mary Ring, Thelma Ring, Jim Dark, Archie Stoltz (surgery tomorrow), Joan Lindsey's father (surgery next week), and others. Many thanks to Mike Smith for his long hours of work in making tape copies of our recent gospel meeting. If you requested tapes, be sure to pick yours up today. We are in urgent need of volunteers to clean the building and mow the grass. If you can assist in either of these jobs, please sign the lists on the bulletin board. Figures for the week of 3/14/04: Sun.: Bstudy, 161; AM, 192; PM, 150; Wed., 137; Contrib., $2731. ______________________________________________ "The Beacon - Electronic Edition" is sent out weekly from Columbia, TN, and contains articles and information taken from the most recent "paper" bulletin of the Collegevue Church of Christ. We hope you will use this material in any way you can that will glorify our Father. Please give proper credit to the respective authors. - Greg Gwin ggwin1@bellsouth.net