Wielding the Sword SERMON EYES


by JARED FAST, PASTOR


My first thoughts, years ago, when asked if I would preach in church were filled with an excitement and desire to share what was on my heart, but a fear of the process of putting thought to paper in a way that honored the text in a practical way.


I remember resorting to filling much of my sermon


preparation with stories and illustrations — the things that we are naturally more comfortable talking about; that which is known by us and uncontestable — rather than pressing deeply into a passage. It is quite a differ- ent matter however, to truly bear down and develop a passage and its main focus, to make a statement about that interpretation, and then to apply a call to action in the lives of individuals based on the passage.


Charles Spurgeon said, “It’s better to hammer


home one penny nail than 25 pin tacks that fall out in the hour.” This is a true, but daunting statement, as we position ourselves directly around a main point. In light of this, there is a felt pressure to “get it right.” I think this is normal and shows a respect for the posi- tion and call to preach the truth. Our motivation at all times should involve a healthy fear of the Author, from whom the meaning is derived.


In the years since this first experience, I have


grown much in my thoughts and study habits. Even now, there is still an overwhelming nature to it all; every new message starts with the Amen of the closing prayer from the previous Sunday. It is a continual and dedicated call to be a preacher that constantly reminds me of my desperate need to rely on a wisdom that far exceeds me. That wisdom is from the Holy Spirit, who empowers the believer and brings forth fruit from the gifts He employs. Preaching starts with dependency on the Spirit to guide in the process and give understanding. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:12-13, nasb).


Personally, I now prefer to work through a book of


the Bible systematically — verse by verse — dealing with what arises out of a particular passage. This process is beneficial for covering all topics that come up, as it forces the preacher to wrestle with passages and topics that might otherwise be avoided. It also guards against preaching specifically to a personal underlying motive or incident, or of giving the perception of that. I think we can sometimes fall short of recognizing the depth of what a book is teaching by pulling excerpts out of it and moving on, rather than uniting the richness that comes from the entirety of the book, or the depths of all that is involved in a particular passage, as we progres- sively work through it. It is a joy learning and seeing the blocks fall into place as they build the masterpiece God intended. Each week is an adventure; and honestly, I feel that I may be the most benefited by the message that comes across as it works itself in and on me all week, deepening its grasp on my life.


If there was any wisdom I could impart regarding


sermon prep and delivery, it would come from that which has greatly affected me. Apart from dedicated study habits and dependency on the Spirit, be yourself and forget yourself! God is the giver of gifts and has designed us according to His purpose. We must be dil- igent to those gifts and to the study of His word above all else. We must be willing to learn and to be humble in all things, but we must never try to be what we are not — we must never be the focus of our ministry.


We are called to present the word of God above


all else — unapologetically and accurately. We must preach that which convicts hearts and glorifies God, that His name is the one remembered and upheld as all glory goes to Him alone, and using what He has given generously to us in the place in which He has positioned us.


Jared Fast has four children ages 13 to 19 with his wife, Col- leen, who he says keeps him “well grounded and encour- ages [him] to stand for the truth.” He has a passion for the word of God to be understood and proclaimed. Jared has been serving as a pastor for the last four and a half years in Grunthal, Manitoba.


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