I want to say you made some very good cases about these two preachers as it relates
to what McDill stood for. As we have read, McDill was all for bring real life experiecnces
to the audience so they could get a feel of what was taken place in the narritive. These
type of things would bring the preacher closer to the audience thought as to how this
story could relate to their personal life. I see how you elabrated on Mary beinbg focus on
serving Jesus, what could some other ways this could relate to a today’s world situation.
One the things about McDill he spent a lot of time studying the text in such away that a
multitude of thought could rush the mind of could be seen as well as thought that could
raise tension in the text. The more we dig in the text the more can be discoved in the
text. The two people you chose were e people that followed the guidlines of McDill very
well. Another hightlight that could be noted about these two is they wanted those who
listen to thme to have an impactful moment when it came to them painting a picture of
the details. Again, you made some great points about this topic. I agree that relating the
text to human experiences is so important in keeping the congregations attention. I have
been in several services where there was very little human experience related to the text
being taught, it was so boring. It made the Bible feel like it was not relatable to today's
society and that it is not applicable. There were times that I even questioned how that
could be possible (God's miracles) since we can't see them now. As I have matured in
my faith and found a church that makes every sermon about how the Bible is still true
today, that ancient Israel had the same human troubles we have today, I see how God is
still present and His Word is still applicable. In regards to Never Quit!, I have a
personality that has no drive to win. I find that in the grand scheme of life, if I win or
lose at sports it doesn't matter. I knew I would not be a professional athlete, so I never
gave it my all. I have a son the exact same way. It is so frustrating as a parent. I want
so bad to just tell him to try. He has been learning some hard lessons lately that if he
doesn't try and want to win, he won't get the trophy, award, etc. This trouble in his life
(he is only 7) has turned out for good because he is seeing how this is applying to his
life. He has started to work harder, not just at Taekwondo, but at his school work as
well. e I agree with your assertions. I too did Never Quit by Jerry Falwell. You are so right
that loosing takes no effort but winning takes grit and perseverance. His sermon makes
me think of the verse in Philippians 1 verse 12-14 which says, "12 Now I want you to
know, brothers and sisters,[ that what has happened to me has actually served to
advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace
guard[and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,
most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the
more to proclaim the gospel without fear." The sermon idea for this verse is, "We should
have a clear perspective of who God is, so that people will see Christ even through our
circumstances.
