How to Preach a Bad Sermon
Heard a bad sermon by a "substitute preacher" today in the church I've
been attending. Thought I would record some of my analysis. The text
was supposed to be Acts 18:24-Acts 19:10 What I got out of if
were the following principles on preaching a bad sermon:
1. Avoid preaching on the assigned text.
2. Rather use the assigned to as a springboard to preach on
some
unnecessarily devisive non-application oriented topic of which the text
is obscure. In this case the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And avoid
significant applications of which the text is clear.
3. Take the unBiblical position and use bad hermenutics to
support it, contradicting texts like, 1Cor 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized
into one body" Rather impose an
elistist division among the congregation by falsely teaching on the
matter and reckon oneself above scrutiny by considering one's own words
to be inspired by God and thus above scrutiny and any criticism to be
of the devil. And demand the church achieve "unity" on the matter by
agreeing with you on that which is based upon your mere allegation of
personal inspiration.
4. Contradict the assigned text where it says that Apollos, "he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate,
proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ." Acts
18:28 and where it says of Paul that he
"arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God." Acts 19:8 Rather
say that you used to reason with people, and you used to be an advocate
for God, but now (having been "baptized with the Holy Spirit") you have
a witness for God, meaning that you preach about your own personal
experience of what a good person you have become. Rather than reason
with people from the scriptures, preaching the gospel as the Bible
does, preach about yourself.
5. Base your argument upon speculation and quotes from
literature rather than from the Bible. Claim that your semon is
"inspire by God". (That is, raise a flag and see if someone salutes it)
- this kind of stuff doesn't get pass us Bereans. And claim it's
validated with anecdotal evidence. Take the utilitarian stand arguing
that your opinion is correct because it has proven useful in your
opinion. (i.e. people allegedly became Christians because you were
baptized with the Holy Spirit)
6. Don't allow your sermon to be scrutinized, contrary to the
text which says of Apollos, "When Priscilla and
Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him
the way of God more adequately." Acts
18:26
7. Develop an elitist division with the church family by
dividing the congregation into those Christians who allegedly have and
have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit by asking those who have to
stand up. Indeed this appears the only application of the Charismatic
doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit - to divide the body into
the haves and have nots.
8. After the sermon play music so loud and so long so that no
one can talk with each other.
The Berean Christian Bible
Study Resources
Jan 30,2022