One of the finest pieces...
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One of the finest pieces of advice I have ever heard or tried to practice came from Dr. Charles Allen, retired pastor of First United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. In speaking to a group of ministers about the art of preaching he said, "Never leave them without a word of hope."
The moment was right for that truth to hit me solidly between the eyes. I was serving a congregation of God's most obstinate, unmotivated, cantankerous people. Week after week, my sermons had been relentless in pointing out their weaknesses, shortcomings and sinfulness. Seldom, however, did I "leave them with a word of hope."
I resolved to change my ways. For the last 12 years, I have never concluded a sermon without a positive word of hope.
As we read Peter's sermon, we see he practiced the same principle. After confronting them with their sinfulness, he offers them a way to understand it (vs. 17) "... you acted in ignorance." Then he points them in the direction of correcting their ways.
-- Cueni
The moment was right for that truth to hit me solidly between the eyes. I was serving a congregation of God's most obstinate, unmotivated, cantankerous people. Week after week, my sermons had been relentless in pointing out their weaknesses, shortcomings and sinfulness. Seldom, however, did I "leave them with a word of hope."
I resolved to change my ways. For the last 12 years, I have never concluded a sermon without a positive word of hope.
As we read Peter's sermon, we see he practiced the same principle. After confronting them with their sinfulness, he offers them a way to understand it (vs. 17) "... you acted in ignorance." Then he points them in the direction of correcting their ways.
-- Cueni
