Sermon Diagnostics – Sermon Listening Skills Explained
A great explanation of how to identify a truly Christ-centered sermon, is right at the beginning of this audio. The whole audio is 27 minutes. If you don’t have time to listen to the whole thing right now, just listen to the first few minutes of explanation. If your preacher rarely meets this standard, talk to him about it. If he does not think Christ-centered sermons are a must for a Christian worship service… look for another church.
via Issues, Etc. Radio Program
Text of Rev. George Borghardt’s Advent Sermon
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Thanks, @ReneeAnn
– my only drawback is that it seems too narrow potentially, like cutting the book of Esther out of the OT for no reference to God? I like the general aspect, but can this miss the boat in certain areas? Just made me think 
and that’s a good thing.
Rick
December 4, 2008 at 9:29 am
This looks good, I’ll check it out.
fundyreformed
December 4, 2008 at 9:31 am
Rick,
IMHO, Jesus is the boat. So, I think this diagnostic is right on target.
Glad you’re thinking. That’s a good thing.
You make a good point, though I disagree with applying it to the Christian worship service. I doubt if most preachers are skilled enough to see Christ in every passage of scripture. I think it misses the boat to require that every preacher of various skill levels preach on every passage of the Bible.
In my opinion, preaching must be Christ-centered. But, we should allow preachers to preach from Biblical texts according to their skill level… as long as they are Christ-centered. Sunday School is the perfect place to study various scriptures in a less focused setting.
Renee Ann
December 4, 2008 at 10:46 am
I follow and don’t necessarily disagree. Just think that putting a diagnostic on it spins it in a judgmental light that’s prone to missing that “boat” for crossing t’s and dotting i’s.
Rick
December 4, 2008 at 11:03 am
I think a sermon diagnostic is very helpful because many preachers actually preach from the Bible and about God, but miss the point… the theme of the Bible. The theme of the Bible in a nutshell is redemption of the Bride (the church), accomplished by Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
It helpful to be a bit technical in identifying the sermon theme. If you are skilled at picking up themes in audio format, it is just second nature and not cumbersome. It is a skill that is actually easily learned and helpful in many contexts. Words are the essence of a sermon… learning to listen in a skilled way is very beneficial.
And, as you have mentioned elsewhere, you and I can always discuss Smallville and be in perfect agreement.
Renee Ann
December 4, 2008 at 11:20 am
Okay, in my circular non-linear way of looking at things
– can you fully listen to a sermon, to what the Spirit might be saying, if you’re at the same time mentally checking off a list? And even if you check off the list, are you gettiing what’s there to get? Or running the risk of missing the forest for a few did-he-mention-this-this-and-this trees?
Rick
December 4, 2008 at 12:01 pm
It’s a skill that is best when it is developed to maturity. When you learn to drive a car, there are many details that seem to be competing for your attention. Once you learn to drive, you drive “automatically.” The same is true about this skill.
The actual purpose of learning this skill is to see the forest… the theme.
The Holy Spirit will help us see Jesus:
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”
(John 15:26 ESV)
Renee Ann
December 4, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Well put
Rick
December 4, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Thank you for the link!
John
October 16, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Renee,
I was not able to find the link? Can you help me?
Jp
November 10, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Issues, Etc did a website update and some links are broken. You can find the new archive page here http://issuesetc.org/?page_id=83
They have a search feature to help you locate the episode. If you locate it and have time to post it back here, I would appreciate it.
Renee Ann
November 10, 2009 at 4:41 pm