PUBLIC SPEAKING – 401

This course incorporates all the mistakes and experiences of 31 years of 
preaching and pastoring.  It includes the mistakes that I have made and the 
mistakes that Ihave observed others making.  The guidelines and rules 
stated here are by no means exhaustive, but when applied, they will 
produce a man in the pulpit that will honor the God that called 
him.  - Dr. Wayne Hinson

SHAKING OFF THE SHAKES 
(pulpit nerves)
 
      	Medical science tells us that our nervous reaction to most fears is caused by two small glands, one of top of each kidney.  When fear causes a nervous reaction, these two glands will consequently secrete a large dose of hormones into the blood stream that will prepare the body for fight or fleeing.  While we cannot improve on the way God made us physically, we must deal with this reaction in other ways.  Over time, just as it is with most new situations or surroundings, you will begin to overcome this by familiarity and repetition.  But until then, this is a real problem, which is rarely addressed in the spiritual realm.  Listed below are six steps that I   believe will help any preacher, whether he is a novice or a veteran.
 
   	A.	EXPLANATION

            		Always remember that there is only one interpretation of God's Word. However there has been and will continue to be many explanations in your sermon preparation and delivery, it is paramount that you expound and explain scripture with the correct interpretation.  Early on begin to read commentaries, word studies and sermon books.  It will not take you long to compile a list of those authors who are doctrinally correct and ones that you can trust.
 
      	B.	 EXHORTATION

            		At this point, I want to insert one of my cardinal rules of preaching. Before your audience will ever be convicted or convinced of what you are preaching, they absolutely must see and sense that conviction in you.  Also, if what you are preaching does not move you, then it will not move anyone else.  Dead preaching will always reap dead results. Expound the Word and exhort the people.
 
      	C.	 EDUCATION

           		 Through a lot of experimentation and in analyzing results for over 31 years of preaching, this writer is completely convinced that no other style of preaching can educate and enlighten your congregation like expository preaching.  In going one step further, let me add that series expository preaching will further your enlightenment and will increase the education of your people.  Even one step further than the first two, is the use of alliteration in your sermons.  Without a doubt, alliterated expository preaching is by far the easiest for people to follow.  Now let me add the clincher.  These three suggested methods also require the most work, which is exactly why a lot of preachers will not use   them.  Remember, though, no pain - no gain.
 
      	D.	PREPARATION

            		We now arrive at the key to success in the pulpit.  You will never out- grow your need to prepare to preach God's Word.  However, with experience, you may not always need to prepare for actual sermon  delivery.  One very important note needs to be inserted at this point. When your sermon is yours, they your personality was used to develop it, and when you deliver your sermon, be sure to use that same personality.  Some preachers make the mistake of preparing sermons with their personality, and then attempt to imitate someone else in the pulpit.  Remember God called you, but He didn't clone you from any other preacher.  Be yourself and God will bless your efforts.
 
     	E.	Actuation

         		 For young or inexperienced preachers, one good exercise is to go to the pulpit when possible, and practice preaching your sermon to empty pews.  While this is not the same as a live service, it can be of   tremendous help is shaking off the shakes.  Another thought to remember, is that when you actually stand before people, you may experience a sudden rise of fear.  To overcome this, you need to fix your eyes on the back wall for at least as long as it takes to overcome that fear.  Please understand that this is a temporary practice and should be abandoned completely at a later date.
 
      	F.	Dramatization

          		 Those glands that we mentioned earlier are now secreting hormones to strengthen you either for fight or flight.  You are in the pulpit now, so you can eliminate the flight.  That leaves you with only one option and that is to fight.  Do not fight yourself and do not fight the congregation, but by all means fight the devil.  One way to overcome the shakes is to charge your sermon and Satan like a bull.  You will be surprised at how well this maneuver will help you.  While you cannot run, that doesn't mean you have to stand like a statue.  Move around some, but do not make the mistake of getting too far away from your notes.  If this should happen to you, then a few "amens" or "thank you Lord for amazing grace" will cover you while on the way back to your notes.

 
GOLDEN GOALS OF SERMON DELIVERY
 
      	A.	INDICATE the start of a new point or sub point.
       		
		The main points of a sermon are very similar to a neon flashing sign on the roadside.  When that sign accomplishes its purpose for being there, then all those who travel its way will be well informed by the sign's message.  Your main point becomes an indicator concerning the information you are about to deliver.  When you come to a main point, slow down just as you would on the highway in order to read that flashing neon sign.  It would be extremely hard, if not impossible, to read a road sign while barreling down the road at 90 mph.
          
		 Another footnote added here, is that if you are a "machine gun" preacher like me, who rattles out the words faster than my tongue can comprehend, it will do you good and also your audience good, to take a breather while announcing your next point.  A little note, added to your sermon outline such as "Speed Limit 15 mph," can be a mental alert for you to slow down while reading your main point.  Your main points are also like arrows which point to the body or substance of that particular point.  Without this indicating arrow, how does anyone know which direction you are headed.  For them to follow you is your goal, but how can they follow you if they do not know where you are going?
 
      	B.	RELATE
 
          		1.	Cleverness in choosing titles
                		
			Clever titles, in most cases, can be a very effective tool in attracting interest in your sermon.  I must caution you not to use the word "things" in your sermon titles (example: Five Things About Salvation).
                
			You need to have a better command of the English language. Catchy worded titles are great, but only if the body of the message lives up to the title.  A wonderful title alerts your audience and brings them into the realm of expectation.  It is your job not to disappoint them.  Alliteration in your titles is also an effective tool (example: Requirements For Righteousness).  The old adage that "practice makes perfect" is definitely true in choosing sermon   titles.  Also, continuous repeating of your title within the body of    the message, will keep your audience's attention longer.
          		
		2.	Clarity in connecting titles
               	
			Now comes the critical part of your sermon preparation.  When constructing a sermon, and after choosing that clever title, you must connect all your points to the title.  This is not an option, but is a necessity.  One word of caution!  Try to use only three points in your sermon.  You are asking, why?  The very first reason is that it makes your job easier.  The second reason is that it makes your sermon easier to follow.  You can always add sub points when you feel that three main points are not sufficient to cover all the material.  With that said, it now becomes an absolute that your main points are directed at and descriptive of your main title.  To sum up this point, let me say that all parts and points of your sermon should relate to each other.
 
     	C.	SubstantiatE

		This element of sermon preparation concerns the use of additional scripture to substantiate your points or thoughts.  Always remember that true expositional preaching takes a portion of scripture and expounds, exposits and extracts the theme or thought of said scripture.  A general rule that applies here is that you should always dissect those verses to their limit before even considering other    verses.  You are making a huge mistake when you use another verse or passage that opens up a whole new point.  You then, become obligated to expound that thought.  In the process of doing  this, you have just committed a cardinal error in that this new line   of thought takes away the attention from your main thought or theme.
           
		Sermon preparation is similar to setting a flight course for flying an aircraft.  Chart your course, fly according to your charted course, and make a safe landing at your point of destination.
 
      	D. 	Elaborate
 
          		 I must tell you up front, that what I am about to discuss in this    portion, probably will get you in trouble faster, and may even get   you run off from some churches.  However, even with that in consideration, I need to emphasize that true expository preaching will get to the point, and will not beat around the bush.  When preaching on a subject, do not preach in generalities, but be specific.  If your subject is heaven, then specifically name the attributes of heaven such as streets of gold and gates of pearl.  If your subject is hell, then name the horrors of hell, and please do not call hell "that place."  Now that wasn't too hard, was it?  But this will be.  When you,  and you should, preach on sin, name the sins that apply.  This is why God called you to preach, so be true to your calling.  Lastly, because this writer has been run off from two churches, please do not call me when this gets you in trouble.  Remember, I warned you.
 
    	E. 	 Illustrate
 
          		Illustration can be a very effective tool in sermon delivery.  You do not have to use illustrations.  Very effective, expository preaching can be accomplished without using illustrations.  If you chose to use illustrations, then here are some guidelines you should follow:
 
          		1. 	Illustrations should always illustrate or magnify your point.
         
		2.	 If your message is of a more serious nature, such as sin or hell, do not use jokes as illustrations.  Jokes may be ok in certain situations and applications, but these are not those places.
          		
		3. 	 Never tell a joke to break the ice or warm up your audience.  This is not the job of a joke; this is the job of the Holy Ghost.  Let him do his work, he doesn't need your help.
          		
		4.	 Keep your illustrations short.  Lengthy stories are boring and will distract from your sermon
         		
		5.	Never tell a story or illustration and imply that you were  involved in it, when your weren't.  You are in deep trouble when  one of your listeners has heard this particular illustration before.
 
      	F.	 Consumate
         
		 You will recall that earlier I compare a sermon to flying an aircraft. This point deals with landing your aircraft.  That is the conclusion of your sermon.  If you have charted the course and have completed the mission, then, by all means, land the aircraft!!!  Endless flying until you run out of gas is not advisable because you then will have to make a crash landing.  Your sermon outline is similar to a runway.  You take off when you announce your title, and you land when you announce your conclusion.  Long winded preaching can be  effective in revivals and camp meetings, but when you are facing  the same congregation two or three times a week, you better learn how and when to shut up!

Assignment:  Your assignment is this course is to prepare an essay that lists your
past and present mistakes in sermon preparation and sermon delivery.  Your honesty
is examining yourself is paramount in this assignment.  This is totally for your benefit,
so let yourself have it.  Your essay should not be any longer than 200 words.