Topical Sermons                                                                                                                                  Power Point Show

Scripture Reading:  1 Timothy 4:12-16

Preparing Gospel Sermons

Intro.

1.  The gospel preacher must be prepared when he stands to preach; he must have something to say, not just have to say something.

2.  2 Tim. 4:2: You cannot preach what you do not know.  Furthermore, you will preach what you know: Either truth or fables (4:2-4).

3.  Gospel preachers must be ready (willing & prepared) to “preach the gospel” (Rom. 1:15).

4.  This lesson is designed to help you prepare gospel sermons (since only gospel sermons will help save souls, Rom. 1:16).

I.  THE PURPOSE OF GOSPEL PREACHING.

   -To proclaim the gospel of Christ…to make disciples & to help disciples grow in Christ, Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 1:21-23.

    a.  Preach the gospel to save the lost.

    b.  Teach the saved (Christians) to observe all Christ commands.

    c.  The power of God & the wisdom of God.

II.  TRAITS OF A GOSPEL SERMON.  (A Gospel Sermon Must…)

  A.  Be Scriptural.

    1.  Speak as the words of God, 1 Pet. 4:11.

    2.  Inspired Scripture: God’s word, not man’s, 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:2.

    3.  Gospel sermon is based on Scripture, supported by Scripture, appeals to Scripture.

    4.  Gospel sermon turns people to Scripture, not to the man doing the preaching!  1 Ths. 2:1-4, 13

  B.  Be Sound.

    1.  Conform to the word of God, 2 Tim. 1:13; 1 Tim. 6:3-5.

    2.  False teachers in the world; must test by NT, 1 Jno. 4:1, 6.

    3.  Any other gospel curses the preacher & those who receive it, Gal. 1:6-9.

    4.  Do not go along with the preacher whose preaching is not sound, 2 Cor. 11:3-4 (2 Jno. 9-11).

  C.  Be Studied (the result of Bible study), 2 Tim. 2:14-18.

    1.  To do their work, God commands gospel preachers to diligently study the word of God, 2:15.

      a.  Do not strive over words that have no profit, 2:14. 

      b.  Give diligence to be an approved worker & handle God’s word properly, 2:15.

      c.  Shun false doctrine (destroys faith & souls), 2:16-18.

    2.  The aim of the gospel preacher:  Be a good minister of Jesus Christ, 1 Tim. 4:6.

    3.  1 Tim. 4:6-16: Accomplished by…

      a.  Instructing the brethren in the words of faith, 4:6.

      b.  Carefully following good doctrine yourself, 4:6 (2 Tim. 3:10).

      c.  Reject fables & false doctrine; live godly, 4:7-8 (1:3-4).

      d.  Command & teach the truth, 4:11 (5:7).

      e.  Set an example by the way you live, 4:12.

      f.  Prepare yourself: Read, then do the work (exhort & teach), 4:13.

      g.  Commitment & dedication, 4:14-15.

      h.  Take heed to yourself & to what you teach, 4:16.

    4.  Must be studying & using the word of God to effectively know it, grow in it & preach it, Heb. 5:12-14.

  D.  Present the Savior & His Salvation, Acts 8:5, 35.

    1.  God’s way of saving the lost, 1 Cor. 1:21-23; 15:1-4.

    2.  Preaching the NT is preaching Christ, 1 Cor. 2:2-5 (14:37).

III. DEVELOPING A SERMON.

  A.  Parts of a Sermon.

  B.  Deciding what to Preach (2 Tim. 4:2).

IV.  TYPES OF GOSPEL SERMONS.

  A.  Topical Sermons.

    1.  Developed from a Biblical topic:  Main points are supported by various scriptures; the sub points supported by various passages.

    2.  A Bible Concordance &/or Topical Bible helpful.

    3.  Examples:  Holy Spirit Baptism; Water Baptism; True Worship, The Unknown God.

  B.  Textual Sermons.

    1.  Use the Scriptural text to outline your sermon.

    2.  Examples:  Acts 2: Jesus of Nazareth; Eph. 4:1-16: Unity & Growth in Christ; 2 Tim. 3:16-17: Holy Scripture; Ezra 7:10: Ready to Preach.

Conclusion

1.  Prepare yourself to preach the gospel by preparing your sermon.

2.  Goal:  Preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2).