What would you preach?

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ClayPot

Puritan Board Sophomore
If you were invited to guest preach at a non-Reformed church, what would you preach? How would you decide? And yes, I am asking because I have been asked to preach at a non-Reformed church, and no, I am not looking to cause trouble. :)
 
I preached at a PC(USA) church that was decidedly not Reformed and I preached on Romans 3:9-12. You need to start with the basic foundational building blocks.
 
Preach on the glory and majesty of God and His Son. Avoid theological terminology. Stick to Scriptural phrases and concepts. Lord willing they will be edified and won't have any reason to be offended.
 
Preach on the glory and majesty of God and His Son. Avoid theological terminology. Stick to Scriptural phrases and concepts. Lord willing they will be edified and won't have any reason to be offended.

Why avoid theological terminology?

Seeking to do good to souls, glorify God, and provide no cause for stumbling. As I understand it this seems like a one-time opportunity. Assuming that the congregation is theologically untaught or misinformed I would not introduce theological terms that will not be comprehended or needlessly provoke the flock and have their minds tuning out the good Word of God.
 
Jonah 1:15 in comparison with Jonah 2:3; and how the reconciliation of that scripture applies to our lives DAILY! What a sweet truth is providence!
 
Preach on the glory and majesty of God and His Son. Avoid theological terminology. Stick to Scriptural phrases and concepts. Lord willing they will be edified and won't have any reason to be offended.

Why avoid theological terminology?

Seeking to do good to souls, glorify God, and provide no cause for stumbling. As I understand it this seems like a one-time opportunity. Assuming that the congregation is theologically untaught or misinformed I would not introduce theological terms that will not be comprehended or needlessly provoke the flock and have their minds tuning out the good Word of God.

O. okay. Wont the theolgical terms (as long as there is a explanation of these terms) be a good thing? To me, it just seems, that using these terms or encouraging believers to read theology is a great thing. We need a knowledge of God, and avoiding theology is one of the reasons our churches dont know God...
 
I have preached in many non-reformed churches. I preached on suffering and the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture and finding Christ in the Old Testament.
 
Why avoid theological terminology?

Seeking to do good to souls, glorify God, and provide no cause for stumbling. As I understand it this seems like a one-time opportunity. Assuming that the congregation is theologically untaught or misinformed I would not introduce theological terms that will not be comprehended or needlessly provoke the flock and have their minds tuning out the good Word of God.

O. okay. Wont the theolgical terms (as long as there is a explanation of these terms) be a good thing? To me, it just seems, that using these terms or encouraging believers to read theology is a great thing. We need a knowledge of God, and avoiding theology is one of the reasons our churches dont know God...

Joshua asked
If you were invited to guest preach at a non-Reformed church, what would you preach? How would you decide? And yes, I am asking because I have been asked to preach at a non-Reformed church, and no, I am not looking to cause trouble.

In a single sermon it is not to be expected that unfamiliar terms will be made clear to a congregation unfamiliar with strong meat.

2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
 
Seeking to do good to souls, glorify God, and provide no cause for stumbling. As I understand it this seems like a one-time opportunity. Assuming that the congregation is theologically untaught or misinformed I would not introduce theological terms that will not be comprehended or needlessly provoke the flock and have their minds tuning out the good Word of God.

O. okay. Wont the theolgical terms (as long as there is a explanation of these terms) be a good thing? To me, it just seems, that using these terms or encouraging believers to read theology is a great thing. We need a knowledge of God, and avoiding theology is one of the reasons our churches dont know God...

Joshua asked
If you were invited to guest preach at a non-Reformed church, what would you preach? How would you decide? And yes, I am asking because I have been asked to preach at a non-Reformed church, and no, I am not looking to cause trouble.

In a single sermon it is not to be expected that unfamiliar terms will be made clear to a congregation unfamiliar with strong meat.

2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

Amen, Bob!
 
Seeking to do good to souls, glorify God, and provide no cause for stumbling. As I understand it this seems like a one-time opportunity. Assuming that the congregation is theologically untaught or misinformed I would not introduce theological terms that will not be comprehended or needlessly provoke the flock and have their minds tuning out the good Word of God.

O. okay. Wont the theolgical terms (as long as there is a explanation of these terms) be a good thing? To me, it just seems, that using these terms or encouraging believers to read theology is a great thing. We need a knowledge of God, and avoiding theology is one of the reasons our churches dont know God...

Joshua asked
If you were invited to guest preach at a non-Reformed church, what would you preach? How would you decide? And yes, I am asking because I have been asked to preach at a non-Reformed church, and no, I am not looking to cause trouble.

In a single sermon it is not to be expected that unfamiliar terms will be made clear to a congregation unfamiliar with strong meat.

2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,

I disagree, but you are the elder...You know better than I do.
 
Since most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel(one that does not include repentance) I would preach the historic, biblical doctrine of repentance for the remission of sins.
 
Just preach the Word. You don't need a special "I'm preaching in a non-Reformed church" message. Choose a text and preach it.
 
Since most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel(one that does not include repentance) I would preach the historic, biblical doctrine of repentance for the remission of sins.

Andrew, I'm going to dispute your assertion that "most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel." They may be incorrect inasmuch as Reformed soteriology goes, but I am not going to cast the "heretic" label on them. Beware of fulfilling the Reformed stereotype. To us does not belong all the known truth of scripture. Terms like Arminian are thrown around so casually that little to no thought is given to the ramifications of such labels.
 
Just preach the Word. You don't need a special "I'm preaching in a non-Reformed church" message. Choose a text and preach it.

Exactly, Bill.

Look, you have one shot, one message. Pick a text and be faithful to it. Do not go looking for some particular text that will somehow win the whole congregation over to the Reformed cause. It ain't gonna happen. Simply do the job that a preacher must do, and set the Word before the people. Let God do the rest. One guest sermon is not the time to be choosing the juiciest most Calvinistic passage and shoving it in their faces.
 
Since most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel(one that does not include repentance) I would preach the historic, biblical doctrine of repentance for the remission of sins.

Andrew, I'm going to dispute your assertion that "most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel." They may be incorrect inasmuch as Reformed soteriology goes, but I am not going to cast the "heretic" label on them. Beware of fulfilling the Reformed stereotype. To us does not belong all the known truth of scripture. Terms like Arminian are thrown around so casually that little to no thought is given to the ramifications of such labels.

I agree. Essential and non essentials as named as such because the division is over issues non-essential to salvation. Repentance and Sin, are essential (depending upon the issue) to salvation. This said, it very much depends upon what you mean when you use the term 'reformed'. However, there should not be, of necessity, a conflict between a reformed and non reformed over issues of salvation, repentance, and the gospel
 
Since most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel(one that does not include repentance) I would preach the historic, biblical doctrine of repentance for the remission of sins.

Andrew, I'm going to dispute your assertion that "most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel." They may be incorrect inasmuch as Reformed soteriology goes, but I am not going to cast the "heretic" label on them. Beware of fulfilling the Reformed stereotype. To us does not belong all the known truth of scripture. Terms like Arminian are thrown around so casually that little to no thought is given to the ramifications of such labels.

Hmmm... I don't want to fulfill the Reformed stereotype. I've only encountered a small portion of the non-Reformed community in real life, that being the IFB community. But from poking around on a Baptist message board and listening to the popular non-Calvinist teachers and their idea of salvation, I don't know if I'm way off in saying that most non-Reformed don't preach the true Gospel(in the sense of preaching repentance and faith). But I've already changed so many of my views since being here on the PB, I admit I could be very wrong on this. Thanks for pointing that out.
 
Since most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel(one that does not include repentance) I would preach the historic, biblical doctrine of repentance for the remission of sins.

Andrew, I'm going to dispute your assertion that "most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel." They may be incorrect inasmuch as Reformed soteriology goes, but I am not going to cast the "heretic" label on them. Beware of fulfilling the Reformed stereotype. To us does not belong all the known truth of scripture. Terms like Arminian are thrown around so casually that little to no thought is given to the ramifications of such labels.

Hmmm... I don't want to fulfill the Reformed stereotype. I've only encountered a small portion of the non-Reformed community in real life, that being the IFB community. But from poking around on a Baptist message board and listening to the popular non-Calvinist teachers and their idea of salvation, I don't know if I'm way off in saying that most non-Reformed don't preach the true Gospel(in the sense of preaching repentance and faith). But I've already changed so many of my views since being here on the PB, I admit I could be very wrong on this. Thanks for pointing that out.

Andrew,

I think so often we get into a defensive mode/posture and are unwilling to accept correction. I just wanted to stop and point out that you did so humbly; Praise God. (Matt 5:6)

Looking forward to dinner, Rev 19:9

John
 
Since most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel(one that does not include repentance) I would preach the historic, biblical doctrine of repentance for the remission of sins.

Andrew, I'm going to dispute your assertion that "most non-Reformed churches today believe a false Gospel." They may be incorrect inasmuch as Reformed soteriology goes, but I am not going to cast the "heretic" label on them. Beware of fulfilling the Reformed stereotype. To us does not belong all the known truth of scripture. Terms like Arminian are thrown around so casually that little to no thought is given to the ramifications of such labels.

Hmmm... I don't want to fulfill the Reformed stereotype. I've only encountered a small portion of the non-Reformed community in real life, that being the IFB community. But from poking around on a Baptist message board and listening to the popular non-Calvinist teachers and their idea of salvation, I don't know if I'm way off in saying that most non-Reformed don't preach the true Gospel(in the sense of preaching repentance and faith). But I've already changed so many of my views since being here on the PB, I admit I could be very wrong on this. Thanks for pointing that out.

Andrew,

When I first became a Calvinist I had a cage stage period. I couldn't talk to anyone about spiritual matters without Calvinism somehow getting into the conversation. As time has gone by I realize how myopic (and annoying) I was.

Not every non-Reformed church is teaching a false gospel. Piper's church isn't Reformed, nor is MacArthur's, and I wouldn't label them as preaching a false gospel.

I appreciate your humility in responding to my post.
 
Preach on the Covenant of Works, the Covenant of Grace, and the Imputed Righteousness of Christ as our only hope.

I don't know Josh. I'm trying to stay away from the usual guest preacher, "light theology" sermons. :lol:
 
To us does not belong all the known truth of scripture.

No, but we have the Gospel right at least.

What's the Arminian 'good news' again? That God became Man, died on the Cross, descended into Hell, rose again, and ascended into Heaven... so that every sinner in the world now has an opportunity to choose salvation?

-----Added 7/13/2009 at 07:58:56 EST-----

Not every non-Reformed church is teaching a false gospel. Piper's church isn't Reformed, nor is MacArthur's, and I wouldn't label them as preaching a false gospel.

Piper and MacArthur's churches are Reformed where it counts.
 
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