Solutions August 2017 | Page 63

to follow Jesus every day of their lives, you need to make Jesus part of your everyday life.” These crafted, simple statements are easy to remember and help your listeners carry the message with them when they leave the building. If you can’t summarize your message in a single, simple sentence, you aren’t ready to preach it. 2. Be Shocking. Jesus often used outrageous examples, exaggerations, or shocking statements to get people’s attention. These statements were not all meant to be taken literally, but they got the point across. For example, Jesus didn’t mean that we literally have to rip out our eyes and amputate our hands for causing us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30). Otherwise, all Christians would be blind amputees. Another great example from Jesus is when he said, “Blessed are the poor” (Matthew 5:3). That must have caught his audience by surprise. People don’t associate being poor with being blessed. Most people think, “Blessed are the rich.” Jesus said unexpected things that shocked people to help us all remember his point. 3. Be a Storyteller. Jesus was a master storyteller. “He told them many things in parables” (Matthew 13:3). Think about all of Jesus’ parables: The prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the lost sheep, the sower and the seeds, and more. Jesus knew how to weave a story to communicate his message in a memorable and powerful way. Jesus could have said, “Love everyone like they are your neighbor.” Instead, he told the story of the good Samaritan. Jesus could have said, “God wants to save all lost people.” Instead, he told the story of the lost sheep. Jesus could have said, “Not everyone who hears my words will follow me.” Instead, he told the story of the sower. People don’t always remember my sermons, but I am always surprised by how much they remember my stories. Years after I tell a story and forgot that I ever shared it, people have reminded me of it. Stories are powerful. The good ones stick with us the rest of our lives. Jesus knew this and used it to help us remember his teaching. So here’s the bottom line: If you want to preach an unforgettable sermon, preach like Jesus. Pastor Lawrence Powell of Agape Church in Rahway, NJ says: 1. Be an Active Student of the Word. Be diligent in study so as to accurately preach and teach the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Study not just for a sermon but for personal growth and development. It’s vital Solutions 63