I’ll be honest, I don’t always enjoy coming to church. There are times when staying at home or doing something else sounds appealing. There have been a few times in the past decades that I have been in a service that was dragging on and on thinking, “Get me outta’ here!” The vast majority of time this is not the case. I have found it to be of great value to have a regular pattern of church attendance. I need the teaching of the Word and the fellowship of other believers. Then there are those services that make a life changing impact. You are thankful that you were there and not someplace else. Pastor had words that were “just for you.”
Young preachers, in particular, should take a good look at what F. B. Meyer said about preaching. Make it a point to preach the Word and do it with simplicity. Like someone told me, “It is better to drive one point home than to leave three on base.”
F. B. Meyer on Preaching with Simplicity
He is a successful preacher who manages to present one great conception before his people each time he addresses them, so that, as they break from the spell of his influence, they may be possessed by one thought, inspired by one motive, and compelled toward one act.
Form your message around one thought and let it burn itself into the heart and mind of your hearer.
In the first one or two paragraphs state the truth you have discovered in the text. Illustrate and enforce it by references to the world which men know so well.
Cut out everything that detracts from the main point. Cut out every piece of needless rhetoric.
If we will do this, we can deliver the truth and keep people coming back for more!
Wow, I needed to hear that! I can’t tell how true it is that when I have left many church meeting excited because of the preaching, but then to discover that I couldn’t really say what was preached on.. Interesting huh?..
One point driven home will stick and be a changing factor, it has been for me.
Thanks for sharing that you have moments of not really wanting to go to church, now I feel less of a “heathen” for those same feelings… haha!
You are no “heathen” just human. Not all church services are created equal! I love the Word and the Presence. I love it when the praise team is cranking it out and the congregation is loving Jesus. I’m ok with the fact that not every service is cake and ice cream too. Sometimes we need our veggies.