Expert: Marvin Howard - 7/19/2006

Question
Marvin,

I guess it would help if you knew my three main points.  Sorry about that.  Here they are:

Three reasons why I believe it is important that we let our light shine.  

1.  We don't know who is watching  us when we are in public or in private.

2.  So that we can take it to the lost and let them see our light

3.  For God's glory (people can see Christ living in us)

Please let me know if these points go together and relate to my topic.  If you see anything that could be added or changed, please let me know.  Thank you for your time and help.  Have a great day!  

In Christ,

Chad  

Answer
Hi!

Brother Chad, I have an entirely different method of preaching, as I never attended any training school. I understand the idea of using three points. It makes outlining easier.

I have trouble picking three points and making them equal. I learned to preach by gathering raw information from others and Scripture. I use this to make connections and tie Scriptures together. I just pick one topic and speak on it. Sometimes I get a little long winded, but after 33 years since my first sermon, I usually keep them pretty close to a uniform time of delivery. Somtimes a topic needs to be split into several parts to have it covered thoroughly.

Your three points seem valid to me. They appear to fit, based on my knowledge of Scripture. I believe you will do a fine job if you use them. I just feel inadequate to tell you absolutely that this is so. However, I am willing to provide you with some insights. I jost hope they do not ruin your outline format.

I recently did a 9 part series on the Sermon on the Mount. One of these has a bearing on your topic. You may find it here:

http://www.geocities.com/braswellcoc1/archive28.html

In addition to the material contained herein, I have found that in the passage Jesus contrasted our being salt and light. They serve two different purposes. We are the salt of the earth (not world). We are the preservative for the whole of creation. We are what keeps humanity alive. After the fall of man, we are the people who make creation palatable to God.

On the other hand, we are the light of the world (not earth). This is our example. It is through us that people find God desirable. Without our providing this light of God, He would seem mysterious and dark to those outside of Him. Once we shed His light on the subject, people can more easily understand Him. They are less afraid of Him. They are now able to come to Him.

I pray that this information helps you in your presentation. An aspiring preacher needs material. While the Bible is all sufficient, God authorized preaching, and called it foolishness. We are to find other ways of restating His exact message, in ways that others can understand. You are more than welcome to puruse through my archives. Feel free to use anything you need, at any time.

The address for my sermons vault is here:

http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962/archives.html

You may find my current, monthly sermon here:

http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962/sermons.html

Also, I conduct a ministry through my Yahoo profile. I have several articles here, as well. You may find it here:

http://360.yahoo.com/preacherman_1962

Brother Chad, I always love to hear of new feet joining the ministry. I would greatly appreciate it if you give me a report on how well you are received at my private email address below. I pray your confidence in me has not been misplaced.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962
http://360.yahoo.com/preacherman_1962