The Reason We Preach

Introduction

Illustration: In her book Daughters of Thunder: Black Women Preachers and Their Sermons, spanning the years 1850-1979, Bettye Collier-Thomas highlights a preacher named Bishop Rosa A. Horn

Born on December 2 1880 in Sumter, South Carolina

In 1926, Horn established the Pentacostal Faith Church in Harlem, NY- a church which would go on to be located in five cities by 1934.

Dubbed Mother Horn by devotees, she was described as having a powerful presence, being an extremely effective speaker, and possessing great charisma.

By 1934, Bishop Horn was one of several women celebrated as Pentecostal, Holiness, or Spirituals preachers.

In this anthology of black women preachers, Bishop Horn’s sermon “Is Jesus God The Father or Is He The Son of God” is included.

In this sermon, Bishop Horn denounces Bishop Garfield Thomas Haywood and the members of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, who argued that Jesus is God the Father. Horn forcefully argues that “Jesus the Son” and “God the Father” are two separate entities. A significant piece of her argument is her assertion that is only through Jesus that one may be purified of sins.. If humans stood before God without Jesus’ intercession they would have no hope of being forgiven for their iniquities. Only through Jesus’ dying for humans’ sins can people be forgiven and saved.

Furthermore, Horn argues that genuine salvation comes only through truly repenting of one’s sings so that Jesus will have mercy on them.

Horn emphasizes that those who would seek inner purification can only “keep yourselves in the love of god” by “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

The Role of the Preacher

2 Timothy 4:2–5 ESV

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Transition To Body

Apostle John preaches morals & relationship with the family of God who are united with God the Father & God the son

Body- The Reason We Preach

Others Experience Our Complete Joy Of Belonging To God’s Beloved Community (vv1-4)

1 John 1:1–2 ESV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

Illustration: Preaching That Speaks To Women by Alice P. Matthews

Men vs. Women Perspectives on morality (Principles & Rules vs. Relationship)

Matthew 9:20–21 ESV

20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”

Matthew 9:25–26 ESV

25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

1 John 1:3 ESV

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Some left the community- chapter 2

1 John 2:19 ESV

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Some believed you can belong without loving long

Beloved community- Chapter 2, chapter 3, & Chapter 4

1 John 2:10 ESV

10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

1 John 3:1 ESV

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:11 ESV

11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 4:7 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:20–21 ESV

20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 1:4 ESV

4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

During this season of Lent, are you spending time with Jesus through:

Devotion- study of scripture

Fasting

Prayer

Meditation

Self-reflection

Mark 7:36 ESV

36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Transition to Point 2- The Reason we preach is our hope that:

Others Experience Our Complete Joy Of Belonging To God’s Beloved Community (vv1-4), but also that

Our Life Practices Will Consistently Conform To The Influence Of Jesus Christ’s Purification (vv5-7)

1 John 1:5–7 ESV

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Illustration: Bipolar Faith

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Bipolar disorder is typically diagnosed during late adolescence (teen years) or early adulthood. Occasionally, bipolar symptoms can appear in children. Bipolar disorder can also first appear during a woman’s pregnancy or following childbirth. Although the symptoms may vary over time, bipolar disorder usually requires lifelong treatment. Following a prescribed treatment plan can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Antidote for Sin- v7

Transition to Point 3- The Reason we preach is our hope that:

Others Experience Our Complete Joy Of Belonging To God’s Beloved Community (vv1-4), that

Our Life Practices Will Consistently Conform To The Influence Of Jesus Christ’s Purification (vv5-7), and finally that you know the

Trustworthiness Of Jesus Christ To Forgive & Sanctify Those Who Acknowledge Their Sins (vv8-10)

1 John 1:8–10 ESV

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8 ESV

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 2:10–11 ESV

10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

2 Timothy 3:12–13 ESV

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Universality of Sin- v8

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 John 1:9–10 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Confessing which leads to Cleansing us from all unrighteousness

Inoculation from Sin- v9?

Illustration: Covid-19 boosters and breakthrough infections

Transition To Close

1 John 1:1–2 ESV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

How does that which was from the beginning so all of this? How does God to this? Through the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit

Illustration: Surgeon’s Blood Saves Patient

Dr. Samuel Weinstein, chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery for Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, went to El Salvador in 2006 with Heart Care International to provide life-saving operations for poor children.

It would take more than expertise and advanced equipment to save the life of eight year old Francisco Calderon Anthony Fernandez however. After twelve hours of surgery, the boy began to bleed out of control. The hospital lacked both the medicines to stope the bleeding and the blood to give the boy a transfusions. Francisco’s blood type was B-negative, while- according to the American Red Cross- is present in only 2 percent of the population.

Dr. Weinstein had the same blood type. So he set aside his scalpel, took off his gloves, and began washing his hands and forearm. then he sat down and had his blood drawn.

When he had given his pint, Dr.Weinstein drank some bottled water and ate a Pop-Tart. Then- twenty minutes after stepping away from the table- he rejoined his colleagues, who watched as Weinstein’s blood began flowing into the boy’s small veins. Weinstein then completed the operation that saved Francisco’s life.

1 John 1:7 ESV

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Close- Joy of Repentance

Luke 15:5–7 ESV

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:9–10 ESV

9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:31–32 ESV

31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”