Wake up!

Sermon Illustrations - “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Re 3:1.

Catch me if you can - Movie - You can become so good at lying that you can even deceive yourself. The lie becomes the truth - but in Christ

The Takeoff 

What does the audience know about me that they didn’t know before? 

Did I cast a wide enough net that most of the audience can relate to me on this topic? 

Does the audience believe that the topic can relate to them personally? 

2. The Tension

What is the key question my text attempts to answer? 

Are you asleep? Have you convinced yourself that you’re alive? 

Is it a question my audience wonders about? 

Why should anyone in this room care about the rest of my talk? 

Because the enemy is working hard to keep you asleep and it could cost you your family, your joy, and ultimately your soul. 

3. The Text 

Did I read enough of the passage that the audience understands the centrality of Scripture in my talk? 

Did I give enough information about the text to help the audience, but not overwhelm the audience? 

4. The Teaching

Was I responsible with the text? 

Does the audience understand the main point of the text? 

Did my sub-points contribute and support my main text? 

Did I help the audience understand the main TRUTH by giving real life examples? 

5. The Thread 

Have I pointed that audience to Jesus or told them to simply try harder, do better, etc? 

How does this passage reveal our need for Jesus? 

How does this passage reveal Jesus to be sufficient and supreme? 

Which aspect of the gospel of Jesus does this passage help us better appreciate?

6. The Takeaway