To Get Through, Know Your Point

Here's a snippet of my article 7 Ways to Get Through to Your People from the September 2008 issue of Pentecostal Messenger:

1. Know Your Point

Dr. Howard Hendricks says a sign on a lectern once nearly derailed his sermon: "What in the world are you trying to do to these people?" The sign's author told Hendricks, "I've been preaching for twelve years without an objective, and it finally dawned on me one day that if I didn't know what I was doing, there was a good possibility they didn't know what they were supposed to do."

When it comes to a particular audience at a particular time, nothing is more important than knowing what God wants done. The man of God must pray for a word from God. Only then can he craft his sermon effectively.

Imagine if halfway through your sermon someone yelled out, "So what?!?" Would you have an answer?

For best results while preaching, have a point. Have one point. Get that point from God. Know that point. Preach that point.

Note: If you don't already receive Pentecostal Messenger and you'd like to, the Pentecostal Church of God is offering free subscriptions for the remaining 2008 issues. For details, go to www.pcg.org.