Sermon from book resource

[larryjf]

If someone gives a sermon that they get out of a sermon resource book (e.g. Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook) do they have to give credit for their source?

 

[TheDag]

two answers
1. some of those books say you don't need to while others do
2. I personally as a matter of integrity would give the source. I think far too many people don't think about the integrity of their actions sadly.

 

[BalaamsAss51]

Hello Larryjf.

I agree with Thedag that if a pastor were to preach a sermon he didn't write that it would be incorrect not to give credit where credit is due.

I'm not familiar with the Nelson book you mentioned. In general pastors may write their own sermons, creating them from their own study and prayer. Also there are books that have sermon outlines which give ideas as to how to fashion a sermon on particular passages of scripture or for certain occasions. I don't think that the use of these books need to be referred to in the sermon. Also, a pastor may use a sermon he has read or heard from someone else if he changes it around enough to fit the situation he finds himself in. But again, word for word copying without crediting to the original author just doesn't sit right with me.

Pax

 

[BarbB]

If my pastor gave a sermon out of a book or from the internet, I would be so disappointed. My brother gave me a good hint - look for a pastor who glances at his notes occasionally to orient himself. Don't return if he merely reads a sermon from his notes.

 

[BalaamsAss51]

If my pastor gave a sermon out of a book or from the internet, I would be so disappointed. My brother gave me a good hint - look for a pastor who glances at his notes occasionally to orient himself. Don't return if he merely reads a sermon from his notes.

Hello Newlamb.

I tend to agree with you also. But there was a way to preach that many have followed that thought that extemporaneous preaching was the only proper way to preach. So having notes or an outline was not allowed. They thought that the Holy Spirit would give them power/the words necessary for preaching. Besides leading to much wrong speaking it led to pastors prancing around, mugging for the crowd, putting the spotlight on them and their "style" as opposed to focusing on the Word.

Pax

 

[revrobor]

There are books and internet sites that are INTENDED for preachers to use as resource and giving credit to the copyright holder is not necessary. That's a little like giving credit to the copyright holder of whatever Bible is used every time a preacher quotes a Scripture verse. In an ideal world we'd like to believe our pastor is hearing his sermon directly from God. That doesn't always happen but God will use whatever resource He chooses.

 

[4ujesus]

If someone gives a sermon that they get out of a sermon resource book (e.g. Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook) do they have to give credit for their source?

Larryjf,

Your question opens up an even greater concern. While I believe that if someone is preaching someone elses sermon, they should give their source. I have an even greater concern that far to many pastors have become lazy in their sermon preparation.

God has called us to "Study to show ourselves approved, A workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." While it is no doubt much easier to get a resource book or find a sermon on the internet, I believe that both the pastor who does so and those he is teaching have missed out.

God desires that we dig deep into his Word, that we labor in the Word. That we allow the Holy Spirit to minister Truth to our hearts first, that we may then pass it on to others. I believe the message must first become a part of us before it can have an impact on others. That it must come through intimate fellowship with the Lord through time spent in his Word.

To many today are missing out on the intimate fellowship and personal growth that comes from the time and prayerful preparation necessary to develope a sermon.

If the pastor doesn't spend time in the Word, who is going to?

The result is more books about the Bible are being taught and studied than books in the Bible.

We have Churches full of people who have been raised with a man centered gospel of what God can do for you.

Seven steps to financial freedom
How to overcome lifes obstacles
3 ways to be more happy

We have Churches full of people who are Biblically illiterate, who don't even bring their Bibles to church, because the Pastor doesn't teach from it. Instead He passes on a series He found in a book or on the internet, complete with a series of fill in the blanks.

It says in God's Word, that we are to desire His Word more than our necessary food.
Romans 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God"

Paul Said in Acts 20 "I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I have not failed to declare to you the whole counsel of God"

How many Pastors today would say that?

I have been blessed to serve as a pastor for nearly 20 years, and I have found that for my own personal growth and the growth of our body, there is no shortcut to time spent in God's Word. (I spend about 20-25 hours on each message and I teach twice a week) (A Chapter a week in the new testament of Sunday, and a Chapter a week in the Old testament on Wednesday. started in Genesis and Matthew and teaching every chapter in order).

It isn't always easy, studying often late into the evening in order to be prepared, but it is worth it.

We have a Church full of people who are hungry for and in love with God's Word. They can't get enough, and since thay know which chapter is next they study for themselves at home in prepartion for the following week.

I want to make it clear that while I am a big proponent of expositional teaching, I am not opposed to the use of resource books or commentaries in sermon preparation, but I believe they should be aids, not the source.

I want every sermon to be fresh manna, delivered by God, through His Spirit, specifically prepared for the people in Church on that day.

Again, while what others have learned can be helpful, It is so much better when the Lord by His Spirit, reveals the Truth in His Word directly to me as I study His Word.

It is like the difference between someone else going to hawaii and telling you about their trip, and you going for yourself.

While I believe that books about the Bible can be helpful, they are like vitamins in our diet. While the Word of God is the meet and potatoes. If you've had a good meal it is ok to supplement it with vitamins, but if you try to live on vitamins alone, you will starve to death.

May we be faithful to Study God's Word, and to give to others what God has first given to us.

Dave Johnston
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz

 

[BalaamsAss51]

Hello 4ujesus.

While I found nothing objectionable in your post, I do have a couple of questions. What happens if you are sick the week before and don't get a chance to work up a new sermon? I imagine that you "go to the well" and dig out an old sermon rather that let the flock go unfed that Sunday.

Also, what if you are sick on Sunday, or on vacation, or off at a conference? Do you work up a new sermon for someone to read or do you get an older sermon for reading?

Just wondering how you like to work these things.

Pax

 

[4ujesus]

Hello 4ujesus.

While I found nothing objectionable in your post, I do have a couple of questions. What happens if you are sick the week before and don't get a chance to work up a new sermon? I imagine that you "go to the well" and dig out an old sermon rather that let the flock go unfed that Sunday.

Also, what if you are sick on Sunday, or on vacation, or off at a conference? Do you work up a new sermon for someone to read or do you get an older sermon for reading?

Just wondering how you like to work these things.

Pax

Good Questions.

If I am sick or unable to teach, as I was a few weeks ago while in India on a missions trip,(Teaching national pastors the inductive Bible study method), then I have one of my assistant pastors fill in, who use the same study methods that I do.

I do though on occasion grab an older message if I have been in bed all week sick.
I don't feel like this is ideal, but I also know that God knows if we have been sick or just plain lazy. He seems to bless these times of pulling out an old message, but I wouldn't want to make a habit of it.(Could become very stale)

Again, it's not easy to be diligent in studying, but it is always worth it. Both in how it impacts my own walk, as well as what is being delivered to the people.

God bless you

Dave