Transforming Sermons: Knowing when to quit

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

"Preach as if you’re going somewhere and when you get there, stop preaching."

6 Comments:

Anonymous said...: Is that ever great advice!

I can't tell you how many winderful sermons were ruined because of missing the exit.

Although, if the words of Christ and His forgiveness were in there, the Holy Spirit is quite capable of turning that over ripe sermon into cool fresh fruit once again.

That's His specialy...you know!

Thanks!

- Steve M.; 11:19 AM, June 17, 2008
Milton Stanley said...: Glad you like it, Steve, and thanks for your comments. I especially like the metaphor of "missing the exit." Peace.; 11:58 AM, June 18, 2008
Anonymous said...: i love how so many things are intermingled and played out when believers gather together.

peace to you
and lots of Love; 12:01 PM, June 18, 2008
Milton Stanley said...: Thank you.; 12:02 PM, June 18, 2008
Anonymous said...: I heard Haddon Robinson preach last year at the Moody Pastors' Conference in Chicago. His final sentence was short, pithy, direct. He closed his Bible and left the platform. No prayer, no music - just the echo of that summary in a single sentence filling the auditorium. It was very effective.

One other thought - I think it was John Maxwell who wrote something like, "Don't look at the clock when you are preaching. Look at the people. They'll tell you when you're done." May God give us all grace and discipline to quit talking before they have to tell us.; 7:59 AM, June 23, 2008
Milton Stanley said...: Amen, Chris. That's good advice--looking at the faces of the people instead of the clock face. Thanks for sharing it. Peace.; 11:47 AM, June 23, 2008