App Region Pastor Josh Baker recently attended the Preach the Word, Shepherd the Flock Conference and I asked him to share some of his takeaways with the rest of us. Here’s what he wrote:
- Before we can address any issue, it’s crucial to first understand and identify it. In the conference, Steve Lawson initiated this process by clearly stating what a sermon is not, emphasizing that what is often mistaken for a sermon in many churches is, unfortunately, not one at all.
- After clarifying what does not qualify as a sermon, Dr. Lawson proceeded to give us his definition of what a sermon is: “A sermon is a public proclamation of the Word of God that includes the explanation of a biblical text as well as its application to the life of the listener, followed by an exhortation and appeal to act upon the truth.”
- Lawson taught that a sermon should include three parts: reading the text, teaching the text, and exhorting with the text, as outlined in 1 Timothy 4:13. He explained that we do this because the power is in the Word of God.
- Finally, Dr. Lawson shared what a sermon does. A true sermon addresses the whole person. A sermon drives the listener to know something, to feel something, to do something. A sermon should instruct the mind, ignite the heart, and direct the will. It should cause the listener to learn the truth, love the truth, and live the truth.
- After laying the necessary groundwork, Dr. Lawson gave practical instructions on preparing a sermon based on those principles.
- On day two of the conference, Alexander Strauch (author of Biblical Eldership and many other books) taught about leadership from Acts 20:17-38. Key takeaways from his teaching include:
- John Wooden: “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.”
- Discipleship is imitation. “You yourselves know how I lived” (Acts 20:18)
- Teach the entirety of God’s counsel thoroughly and in-depth. (Acts 20:20,25-27)
- “You can be a great preacher/teacher but a terrible lover of people.” (Acts 20:36-38)
- Fierce wolves (false teachers, haters of the truth) are coming: Be Alert!! (Acts 20:29)
- Pay careful attention to yourself and the flock. (Acts 20:28)
- Entrust everything to God and His Word. (Acts 20:32)