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(1 Cor 9:19-22) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; {20} and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; {21} to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; {22} to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

The old man, the boy & the donkey

The problem with preaching When I preach there are some who say, they could listen to me all day. Others think I preach too long, or that I go about it all wrong. Some say my sermon is deep, but there are others it puts to sleep. Some say I hold them spellbound, while others squirm and look around. Some declare me an orator, others say I'm a perfect bore. Some think I've too much fight, others think I preach just right.

Some affirm I'm much too bold, others say I'm much too old. Some folk feel I've met success, others think my work's a mess. Some have said my pay's too low, as they observe the pace I go. Others assert my salary's peak, much too high for three hours a week. From all of this it's plain to see, that as a preacher I'm up a tree. I can't please men of such discord, so I'll just try to please the Lord.

The Problem With Preaching

THE PROBLEM WITH PREACHING You can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time but you can’t please all of the people all of the time There may even be some people who can never be pleased. There are problems in preaching and trying to please people.

Please people or please God? I must not change the gospel (Gal 1:8-10) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. {9} As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. {10} For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Please people or please God? I must not preach error but seek to please God. (1 Th 2:1-4) For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. {2} But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. {3} For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. {4} But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

We should not be offensive - (1 Cor 10:32- 33) Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, {33} just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. PAUL TRIED TO PLEASE PEOPLE IN SOME AREAS

Be sensitive to other’s weaknesses - (Rom 15:1-3) We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. {2} Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. {3} For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." PAUL TRIED TO PLEASE PEOPLE IN SOME AREAS

Identify with others. (1 Cor 9:19-22) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; {20} and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; {21} to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; {22} to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

HOW I TRY TO PLEASE PEOPLE Balanced preaching 1. Old & New testaments 2. Varied Topics - no hobbies 3. Positive vs Negative 4. Adequate Use of scriptures 5. Problem: not everyone hears every sermon

HOW I TRY TO PLEASE PEOPLE My Delivery 1. Rate of speech 2. Volume 3. Distracting mannerisms 4. Problem: different strokes - pleasant voice or piercing voice?

HOW I TRY TO PLEASE PEOPLE Physical aspects 1. Stay behind pulpit 2. Walk around 3. Use PowerPoint 4. Use of notes a. Visible b. Not visible 4. Problem: what one likes another doesn't

HOW I TRY TO PLEASE PEOPLE Preparation 1. Aware of needs of congregation 2. Appropriate application of scripture 3. Problem: what one person needs others may not - don't preach to one person only

God is not willing that any should perish 2 Peter 3:9 You can be saved by… –Believing in Jesus - John 8:24 –Repenting of your sins - Acts 17:30 –Confessing Jesus as the Son of God - Romans 10:9-10 –Being baptized for the remission of your sins - Acts 2:38 –Living for Jesus faithfully till death - Revelation 2:10 ARE YOU PLEASING GOD, OTHERS OR SELF?

TONIGHT’S SERMON EXPERIENCING THE JOY