Simple Sermon Outline: When You're In the Furnace

It is time for another "Simple Sermon Outline" here on the Desperate Pastor blog, for the hardworking pastor who takes seriously the task of breaking the Bread of Life to God's people but is sometimes up against a wall and fresh out of ideas. This week's outline, like the rest, is simple and sparse, in the hope that it will ignite (not replace) the process of prayer, study, and creativity.

When You're In the Furnace
Daniel 3:16-27 

You can be thrown into the furnace, and  it may be through no fault of your own 

God is with you in the furnace, whether noticeably or not 

You will be changed by the furnace, one way or another  

You may be defeated
You may be delivered
You will be different

(photo by Petrusbarbygere via everystockphoto.com)

Barth on Prayer

Karl Barth (the guy who famously answered a questioner's plea to summarize his theology by reciting, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so") is considered by many to have been the greatest Protestant theologian of the twentieth century.

So when I picked up Barth's Prayer, a series of lectures he gave on the Lord's Prayer from 1947-1949, in which he drew from the wisdom of Luther, Calvin, and the Heidelberg Catechism on the subject, I was pretty sure it would all be way over my head.

I am not often so happy to be wrong.

This short book is long on insight and filled with a pastor's sensitivity (Barth served as a pastor from 1911-1921 in Switzerland). Having read numerous books on the Lord's Prayer, and of course written and preached on it and from it, I nonetheless found new insights, perspectives, and inspiration from Barth's words. And I loved that he moved effortlessly in and out of prayer as he wrote on prayer.

Barth's short chapters are followed by a selection of his pastoral prayers. Barth's content is also introduced and followed by the writings of four other scholars who add much to the reader's understanding and appreciation.

As he did in his famous "Jesus Loves Me" comment, Barth packs an amazing amount of memorable depth and beauty in a short space in the book, Prayer.

Some Churches Are More Honest Than Others

(via Ed Stetzer's excellent site, the appropriately named www.EdStetzer.com)

Simple Sermon Outline: Free Indeed

Here comes another "Simple Sermon Outline" here on the Desperate Pastor blog, for the hardworking pastor who takes seriously the task of breaking the Bread of Life to God's people but is sometimes up against a wall and fresh out of ideas. This week's outline, like the rest, is simple and sparse, in the hope that it will ignite (not replace) the process of prayer, study, and creativity.

Today's outline is appropriate for a Fourth of July weekend, if you're among our readers in the U.S....even if you're not.

Free Indeed
John 8:31-36

All who sin are slaves to sin (v. 34)

Sin enslaves
Sin distorts
Sin disfigures

Illustration: The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Son can set you free (v. 36)

Free from sin (Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:56)
Free from death (Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:56)
Free from the law (Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:56)

Live as one who is "free indeed" (v. 36)

Live for God (Galatians 2:19)
Live by faith (Galatians 2:20)
Live in grace (Galatians 2:21)

Conclusion: "So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free" (Galatians 5:1, NLT).

Happy Fourth

Happy Fourth of July from all the staff, interns, and volunteers here at the Desperate Pastor Blog. Here, at no extra charge, is a Fourth of July Prayer, cross-posted from my daily prayer blog:

Lord my God,
I worship you today,
on this 238th birthday of this nation,
these wonderful United States of America
in which I live.

I thank you for the freedom
to worship you publicly...
even as I ask you
to show kindness and mercy
to those who lack that freedom
because they live elsewhere.

Thank you for all those
who have sacrificed for my freedom,
for those who risked
(and some who gave) their lives
to make this a free and independent nation,
for those in my nation's armed services, past and present,
and for all who have served the cause of liberty in other ways...
even as I pray for those who even now
are in harm's way,
far from home,
in this nation's service.
Please meet their needs,
watch over them and their loved ones,
and grant them your favor in every way.

And, Father, on this Independence Day 2014,
I pray for the people in this land
and every land
who have not yet discovered the freedom
that is offered to them in your Son, Jesus Christ.
Draw them to you,
set them free
from sin and sadness and strife,
and grant them the eternal freedom
that is found only in trusting you,
in Jesus' name, amen.

The Pastor's Desk (Episode 32)

Today's episode of "The Pastor's Desk" is that of Shane Schlesman, Family Life Pastor (over marriage, kids, youth, leadership development) at West End Assembly of God in Richmond, VA.

Shane reportedly doesn't like sitting at a desk, so he got rid of it for a living room feel in his office. He counsels, studies, and leads from this office arrangement.

(If you would like to participate in this recurring feature on the Desperate Pastor blog, submit a photo of a pastor's study, office, or desk--but no tidying up before taking the picture, mind you--to bob@bobhostetler.com, along with a short description identifying to whom it belongs)