THOSE WHO WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, 2005
Greetings! As you will recall, we discussed at some length "what went wrong" and "what went
right" about the Feast of 1998 during our Ministerial Conference here in Tyler. With the Feast
less than two months away, I would like to refresh our memories concerning song leading,
sermons and sermonettes, and opening and closing prayer at the Feast.
SERMONS:
I know all of you fully realize what a great responsibility it is to speak to God's people at the
Feast. It is the LARGEST audience before which you will speak during the year, and I know
there is a bit of excitement, anticipation, and, sometimes nervousness accompanying the
opportunity. I have always began thinking about, and PRAYING about, special subjects for the
Feast many months in advance.
This year, I have already outlined two sermons; one of which is I believe to be a far deeper,
more profound understanding of a major doctrine than the church has been given before. This
came to me IMMEDIATELY following prayer, out of doors, looking up at the clouds and sky,
only a few days ago. That is why I want to stress PRAYER, first and foremost, in advance of any
sermon or sermonette you will give at the Feast.
Try to avoid any remarks which will be seen as critical (I will try hard, too!!) of other
organizations, groups, or church leaders. Remember, we will have many VISITORS from some
of these other groups among us. We want to let them see only a wonderful, loving, forgiving,
zestful, enthusiastic, happy spirit of advance agents of God's coming Kingdom; NOT
competitors, or judgmental, critical people with an "us, them," spirit.
Try to select subjects which fit into the overall THEME of the Feast; our temporary tabernacles;
the fleeting, passing physical experience on this earth; our hope of the Kingdom of God;
overcoming sin; living as closely as possible to the example of Christ; Christian living; love and
forgiveness - subjects which are UP, not down; which are POSITIVE, not negative; which are
filled with HOPE, not doom and gloom; which are ENCOURAGING, not discouraging!
Naturally, as we always have, we will try to look our best; appearing before our God and His
people in the nicest suits and ties we own. When you select individuals for opening and closing
prayers, please be sure to do so with this in mind. In times past, we have had many "outside"
visitors; people who are important in the local communities; who are probably familiar with the
large, impressive ceremonies of some of the biggest churches in their city. Choose those who
will pray APPROPRIATELY TO THE OCCASION; who will not turn the prayer into an
impassioned sermonette (I have seen this happen!); who will have had experience in the local
church, and who is known to give good, straightforward, simple, yet humble and profound
prayers. All that is needed is to ask God's inspiration, blessing, and protection beforehand; and
to THANK Him for His inspiration afterward, then ask for His dismissal and protection.
Try to decide upon your sermon (s) or sermonette topics well ahead of time. Of course, I know
there are many occasions when a sermon you hear will trigger a thought for the one you are to
give - and this is as it should be, for I know God has specially inspired many a Festival sermon;
has miraculously caused many different sermons to blend into a specific THEME which became
evident as the Feast progressed. However, in the interests of clarity, content, and
professionalism, I think it best to OUTLINE the sermon well in advance; to study and re-study
each scripture you intend expounding, and, in some cases, even PRACTICE portions of the
message in advance. Use every help in overcoming uncertainty and nervousness.
In years past, I have used the little plastic tab Bible markers, which are numbered, clipping
them onto the page to which I can then quickly turn, rather than riffling through many
pages, searching. My notes will contain, beside the reminder, or verse, a (1) or (2) or (3),
and so-on. By checking and double checking that we write down the same scripture to
which we wish to refer, we can avoid the mistake (I have done it too!) of turning to the
wrong scripture, having the congregation turn to the one we wrote down in our notes, while we
are reading from a completely different one (I've done that too!).
When it is your turn to go to the podium, be sure to walk briskly, looking out at the audience with
a smile! Do not saunter; do not amble slowly. It is not "humble" to keep your head down, slowly
walk up there, head still down, open the Bible, head still down; put on the microphone, head
still down, and then begin speaking, head still down. I've seen this done many, many times, as I
am sure all of you have.
Think about your audience. These are people YOU LOVE! They love you! They are eagerly
anticipating what you will say. They are your family; your friends; your brothers and sisters in
Christ. Keep your head up. Be energetic. Smile! Be warm in your opening remarks. If you have a
little quip, or joke in GOOD TASTE (one which Christ would laugh at too!), then all the better.
Warm up the audience. Don't say, "I'm nervous," for, if you are, they will all know it anyway,
and will be pulling for you to overcome your nervousness - which is SELF consciousness
anyway, and something we should jettison from our lives as servants of God's people.
Avoid "pet peeves." Do not preach to those who are not there! (Such as a sermon about people
who don't come to church!). Don't, by all means, preach controversial subjects like the calendar,
or the "postponements," or "picky points" like accents, dress and hair styles, or (gulp!)
Interracial marriages.
SERMONETTES:
Again I say, (for about the 35th time) that sermonettes should be absolutely limited to no longer
than twelve minutes, and are much better if finished in TEN! Remember, "sermonettes" are, so
far as I know, an invention of my father, who, when the college was in its infancy, wanted the
young students to be given an opportunity to speak, and him an opportunity to evaluate them.
They are nowhere mentioned in the Bible. Actually, as I type this on my word processor, the word
"sermonette" always immediately is underlined in RED, indicating the word does not even exist in
my computer's dictionary!
I believe sermonettes are an excellent training opportunity for those who are not accustomed to
speaking before large audiences. They are also interesting to the audience, and help to lend
variety and interest to an otherwise long service. They give an opportunity for a "break"
between the beginning of services and the sermon; an opportunity to better frame the song
service and announcements prior to the main sermon.
Please, all of you who will be giving sermonettes, try hard to avoid the vast, all encompassing
topics like "How to Obtain the Kingdom," etc., which I have seen done so often in the past
Again, I believe an anecdote; a simile; an analogy; a puzzling scripture; an alleged scriptural
contradiction; perhaps an explanation of a difficult passage, like "The Thief on the Cross" is the
very best! Incidentally, I have had to answer letters containing that particular question three
times in recent weeks.
In times past, I have seen some who have gone on and on and on, consuming up to FORTY
MINUTES with a "sermonette." On one occasion many years ago, when my wife and I had to
literally leave during the song service, jump in the car, and hit the road so as to make our flight,
the man giving the sermonette left me only about thirty five minutes for my sermon!
Try to outline the subject; go over it so you know it by heart; practice it well in advance; go over
it with your wife, perhaps even speak it into a tape recorder, and play it back. Strive to deliver
the kind of a sermonette which will not be eclipsed by the sermon; a topic so INTERESTING
that it will be remembered by the people for a long time!
SONG SERVICE:
Our traditional song services are, of course, borrowed from Protestantism. Nothing wrong with
that, for there are plenty of scriptures telling us about songs, and of course the Psalms were
inspired as music, as well as poetry. Many years ago, when I was leading music at the
tabernacle in Big Sandy, I enjoyed it so much (about 8,000 singing lustily!) I just couldn't stop
with two, so I said "Let's sing just one more." This seemed to catch on, and for decades, we
have had up to three songs prior to the sermonette.
This is really not necessary, but perhaps it is best to leave it up to the song leader, who, if he
feels the congregation is really enjoying it, and time permits, could go ahead and sing three
hymns. Another thing; it is NOT NECESSARY to plod through all four verses of every song.
We all know the song service is a really vital part of the entire service; it peps up the audience;
instills feelings of unity and camaraderie; the emotional impact of hearing a large crowd singing
together at the Feast is always a thrill, especially to those who have not had a place to meet
together, or those who meet in very small groups. Therefore, all song leaders should always
exude enthusiasm, joy, happiness; should lead the music in a dynamic, upbeat manner, speaking
clearly, with a big wide smile of welcome.
If you need to, take a 3x5 card and print out the names of those who are speaking; the ones upon
whom you will call for opening and closing prayer. If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a
man's name, ask.
Those who are asked to give opening and closing prayer should be asked well in advance. Then,
they should be instructed as followed: Please be sure to come up TO THE PODIUM either at the
beginning of the last song, or during the last verse, standing just behind, to one side or the other,
of the song leader. Then, when introduced for the prayer, immediately take the microphone, and
deliver the prayer. We need to eliminate the long, plodding walk, and the chance for a stumble
on the stairs. I have seen, many times (too many to count), those who are asked to give the prayer
begin walking from half way back after their name is called, and the congregation waits
awkwardly while the slow, plodding "walk" takes place. Let's eliminate this unnecessary delay.
OFFERTORY:
It is always good to give a brief mention of the WORK; of the need for more television, more
publications, more churches and fellowship groups - perhaps those few of us who take up the
offering could also have the last web site report; the latest info on the size of the mailing list;
the latest info on the number of TV responses - something to help us give a brief report on the
work.
Then, it is always good to read, quickly, Deuteronomy 16:16, or Paul's instruction, "But this I
say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly,- and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully.
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give,- not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (II Corinthians 9:6, 7).
The offertory should also be a time of zest, energy, enthusiasm and hope! God truly LOVES a
cheerful giver, and God commanded His people to PREPARE, long in advance, an offering for
Him prior to the Feast.
That's about it for now. Hope all of you have a wonderful Feast!
Sincerely, in Jesus' name,
