My sermon preparation has changed over the years.
I used to pray that God would give me to Words to speak, and I still do but I've added what I believe is an important element to the process.
What if, God's purpose though His word, was bigger than we thought? I mean, once you know Jesus and you've read through the bible, what's next?
I pray over my food and go to church every week. I'm a good Christian.
So what is this new element to the process of "sermon preparation"?
What does God want the modern day Church to look like? And why?
The modern day church, the church of the last 100 years, has grown like most Americans, dependent or reliant on someone else. Just as the people of the United States have been trusting the government for provision, security, and retirement, the church followed suit.
The church has blindly learned to follow the "Gospel" as handed out to them week to week, just like watching the news. We tune in, usually every week, with itching ears, checking off some internal checkbox, that my little world is ok.
OK - Sit down- The modern day church must die for Christianity to continue.
We must become spiritually independent from the church, but at the same time reestablish a interdependent Church.
Now that doesn't make sense, unless you're willing to throw out church as you've known it your whole life.
Church must become a part of your everyday life. In the recent news from Houston, where the church is openly being persecuted, you can see the future of the Church. We are being persecuted in the United States, now.
The Church becoming a part of your everyday life will automatically drive a "small group' atmosphere. These "small groups" or home churches should be developed now order to maintain the strength of the Church in desperate times. Impressed with this idea? Skeptical? If you read Acts and other books of the Bible, you'll see a very similar picture.
The problem- this process, puts the operation of the church back on The Church.
Now what- Pray over your circle of friends and influence. If the government stopped church as we know it today, would church go on? What would you do this Sunday? Is God leading you now to establish a small group?
Consider today how you could take on a small group as apart of your normal church going activities. Discuss the Word you hear at church, talk about your problems, your fears, your victories. Share your food, your time, your heart.
Good Luck & God Speed-
