Tag Archives: Preaching

You Can Only Serve One Lord Faithfully

Posted on March 26, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Between telling stories of parables, teaching at local synagogues and preaching to the masses, Jesus visually connected with his audience. While Jesus never told anyone the answers outside of his disciples, illustrations were shared in public to make people think. This style of teaching created a spiritual hunger deep inside of many of Jesus’ followers. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made it clear that you can only serve one master faithfully. Depending upon what you treasure dictates your final decision.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light, Matthew 6:21-22.

Unfortunately, theology (the science of God) is used by some modern-day preachers to speak down to members of their congregation. This is not consistent with Jesus’ first century teachings. Your eyes are designed by God to be the lamp of your body. However, if your eyes start to deteriorate, darkness will enter your life. If this darkness is not addressed, you might find yourself trying to serve God and money.

But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your [r]conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be [s]against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon ([t]deceitful riches, money, possessions, or [u]whatever is trusted in), Matthew 6:23-24.

At some point over the past 50 years, the fire and brimstone preaching of the 1970’s has become water downed with positive and politically correct sermons. Instead of focusing on hard-hitting messages that confront darkness living inside of Christians, mainline churches prefer themes that promote increased giving. While the apostle Paul is clear that no one is perfect, Romans 3:9-12, your priorities and time dictate who you’re serving, Matthew 6:33-34. Who and what you seek first will determine who you will serve in the future.

by Jay Mankus

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Real Faith in Rough Times

Posted on October 22, 2015 by expressyourself4him

In sports, it doesn’t take much to decipher contenders from pretenders.  As a season lingers on, the cream usually rises to the top.  Sure, there will always be cinderellas or underdogs, but momentum only takes you so far.  Thus, when push comes to shove, the heat of competition distinguishes champions from losers.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ, Romans 10:17.

Faith is not as easy to measure.  Some denominations encourage a quiet faith, allowing your actions to speak for themselves.  Meanwhile, other churches are vocal, focusing on evangelism, preaching and salvation.  The methods used by these ministries can be offensive, rubbing outsiders the wrong way.  This is when God places people in rough times so that real faith can blossom.

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep, Acts 7:60.

One of the apostles named Stephen found himself in a life and death situation.  Based upon the events of Acts 7, keeping his faith private would have saved Stephen’s life.  Yet, something inside of him felt keeping quiet would be a form of compromise.  Therefore, between a rock and a hard place, Stephen became one of the first Christian martyrs, stoned to death for his faith.  His response to this persecution demonstrated real faith in a rough time.

by Jay Mankus

 

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What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Posted on February 6, 2013 by expressyourself4him

A week ago, I was standing at a podium, preaching the message God had placed on my heart for a local congregation.  For one of the first times in a year, I was exactly where God wanted me to be.  However, after the accolades, encouraging words and thanks faded, the Holy Spirit put a new thought on my mind.  Christianity is not about one experience; its about the journey which leads you to heaven.  Therefore, don’t think you have arrived!  Rather, ask yourself, what how you done for God lately?

Beginning in Matthew 24, Matthew devotes 2 chapters to Jesus’ teaching on End Times Theology.  Jesus concludes his lesson with a series of parables, stories that illustrate a biblical truth.  The final one is entitled, The Sheep and the Goats, based upon the Old Testament principle of clean and unclean animals, Matthew 25:31-46.  As I reflect upon the words of verses 41-43, I am guilty as charged.  I pass by homeless people weekly, turning my head, ashamed that I don’t have any spare money to give.  Meanwhile, I am surrounded by sick people in my neighborhood, yet the busyness of life has prevented me from fulfilling this passage.  Jesus’ words pierce my heart, haunting me by my lack of action to the least of these.

Instead of following the Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-36 blueprint, many churches have deviated from this model.  While the elderly, ex-cons, homeless and ill have been pushed aside, many churches are pouring their money into extravagant facilities.  This latest version of Christianity is cleaner, leaner and in some cases, meaner, failing to provide for the needy.  Although the easy answer is to automatically believe you are a sheep, watch out that pride doesn’t leave you like a goat, on the outside looking in.  As judgment day approaches, Matthew 10:32-42, prepare yourself for life’s final exam now.  With just one question to study for, Jesus’ words will echo throughout this room, “What have you done for Me lately?”

by Jay Mankus

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U-Centered Writing: How to Capture the Attention of your Audience

Posted on January 15, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Whether you are teaching a class of students or preaching to a congregation of 1,000 members, there are 5 common thoughts flowing through the minds of your audience.

1) Are you going to say something interesting today?

2) What facts, information or story will hold my attention for your entire talk?

3) So what, how does what you are saying apply to me and my situation?

4) You’re out of your mind, show me something tangible that I can grasp or see.

5) How can I be assured that if I do what you say will I will succeed?

These mental obstacles will continue to distract listeners and readers until you develop a strategy for conquering these communication barriers.  Spirits of rejection, indifference, skepticism, procrastination and fear lurk in the shadows, attempting the block your message.  However, there is hope for the battle against minds tuning you out.

According to 2 Timothy 3:16, all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  The author of Hebrews concurs, claiming the Bible is unlike any other book as these words are living, able to penetrate deep into an individual’s spirit and soul, Hebrews 4:12.  The apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica provides evidence of this supernatural power, a blue print for educators, pastors and writers to follow.

Immediately following his Dear church comments in verse 1, Paul overcomes the spirit of rejection by thanking God publicly for the church of Thessalonica in verse 2.  If anyone was asleep or not paying attention, Paul adds another U-centered comment by expressing his continual prayers for the church and its members.  The key to being successful day in and day out is by making sure you are genuine, not fake or phoney in your compliments.

Paul quickly tackles indifference within verse 3 by praising their work done in faith, as a labor of love and the endurance displayed through their personal relationship with Jesus.  From his initial experience in Acts 17:1-9, he recognizes how difficult it is to stay committed to Christ while living in Thessalonica.  From a modern sense, Paul’s compliment is another way of saying, “that a boy or way to go!”  You must put yourself in the shoes of your audience to connect with and strike a cord with each individual.

Beginning in verse 5, Paul addresses skepticism with a painful truth, “you can’t do it alone!”  Paul wants to make sure he isn’t seen as some kind of super Christian.  Rather, Paul informs Thessalonica that the gospel came to him through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Remember, whether you or speaking, teaching or writing, they are only so many words you can say or write.  Therefore, rely on the power of the Bible to make your point, Romans 10:17, to convict the hearts of your audience and drive home your message.

The best way to conquer procrastination is to cast vision as demonstrated by Paul in verse 7.  Paul reminds each believer of the ideal situation, where your faith becomes a model for others to emulate.  If you don’t practice what you preach, your respect will plummet like the stock market on Black Friday, commencing the Great Depression.  However, when you become a living example for your flock, the masses will eventually be drawn to you thinking, “I want what this person has!”

Finally, Paul eliminates any fear through his words in verses 8-10.  Positive reinforcement is used to illuminate progress Christians have already made within Thessalonica.  Paul highlights their spiritual fruit which is slowly transforming the culture of their city.  Essentially, Paul is suggesting, “look how far you have come, why would you want to return to your formal spiritual condition.”  While this may be the most powerful obstacle to overcome, with God all things are possible, Luke 1:37.  May the power of the Holy Spirit talk your preaching, teaching and writing to new heights!

by Jay Mankus

Follower of Jesus for 29 years

Writer for the past 19

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