Sermons: Apply Within
Moving the message from 'So what?' to 'Now what?'
David Veerman
April 1, 1990
Terry gathers his family and quickly herds them into the station wagon. He has to get to church early to photocopy some handouts for the Sunday school class he teaches. Then there's choir, and after church several conversations about the committee he serves on. With seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm, Terry is immersed in church activities. In his quiet moments, however, Terry worries. At home, his briefcase holds a doctor's report telling of a shadow in the x-rays of his lungs.
* * *
Ruth is known for her contagious smile and warm encouragement. As hospitality chairperson, she seems to know everyone in church. How can she always be so up? people wonder. While Ruth is succeeding at church, she believes she is an absolute failure at home. There is constant bickering with a teenage daughter, and she feels a growing sense of distance from her husband.
* * *
An honor student and a varsity volleyball player, Janet is the picture of the all-American girl. She's also actively involved with the church youth group and takes her faith seriously. But she wants to know how to bring what she believes into her everyday life, especially with her boyfriend, who lately has been pressuring her sexually. Janet sits in the back of the church and wonders.
* * *
Recognize any of those people? You've never met them, but you probably know many just like them. They fill our churches: men and women and young people, some desperate, looking for answers.
Steven Brown, pastor of Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church in Florida, says that when he preaches, he safely assumes seven out of ten people in the congregation have broken hearts. They especially need a life-changing word from God, something they can act on as well as know.
As a communicator, I ...
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