LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Natural Analogies Worksheet
Submitted to Dr. David Kitchens,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
HOMI 500-D04
Preparation of the Sermon
by
William Parent
May 8, 2020
Oral
Presentation
The purpose of this exercise is to develop skill at
planning every aspect of sermon design according to the
overarching aim of a faith response in the hearer.
Text: Philippians 1:12-18
•
Make sure sermon ideas are clear and
well worded.
•
Plan with the dynamics of oral
communication.
•
Design the presentation to follow the
text.
•
Design the presentation to engage the
audience.
•
Balance development for the whole man.
•
Plan for the audience and for the occasion.
This exercise involves planning the design of your sermon for an oral presentation. This form
follows the motivated sequence outline combined with the traditional introduction-body-
conclusion format.
Introduction
Attention
It is inevitable that we at some time in our lives will lose someone we love.
No matter what, death is hard on families. It may be even harder to watch
a loved one die from a disease. A particular family comes to my mind.
Their daughter was diagnosed with a bone disease. After many treatments
and tests, the disease was getting worse. Throughout the struggles this 10-
year-old girl was dealing with, she was proclaiming Christ to everyone.
This little girl loved to sing, and she even began to learn how to play the
ukulele. She was able to play a song for Toby Keith, the Oklahoma
Sooners football team, and others. One of her favorite songs was from
Lauren Daigle and Lauren Daigle even reached out to her to encourage
her. A recording studio reached out to this little girl and recorded a song
from her. The song is called Riptide, it is about being beaten by the waves
but continuing to trust in God. Though this little girl didn’t win the battle
against cancer hear on Earth, she won the war by keeping her faith in
Jesus. No matter her circumstance, she was proclaiming Christ, and
therefore the gospel is being advanced from her testimony, even after she
has moved into eternity.
Need
In this story, it would be easy for the parents and even the little girl to
give up their faith, most wouldn’t blame them. The problem is, the need
for God is still there. They needed God during the circumstance and no
matter the results, they need God still. No matter what in life, we need
God.
BRIDGING SENTENCES
[Subject: Gospel Modifier: Motives/Advancement]
Textual Idea:
While being in prison, Paul wants to remind the church of Philippi that
no matter the circumstances, they are to advance the gospel with pure
motives.
Sermon Idea:
God wants us to advance the gospel with pure biblical motives.
Interrogative:
When you are advancing the gospel and come upon hard times, how
should you respond?
Transition:
Through our text, we can find three truths and one attitude change.
Body
Satisfaction
DIVISION 1 STATEMENT
When believers preach Christ in all their circumstances, the gospel is
advanced (v. 12-13).
Explanation
Paul wants the believers in Philippi to know that his imprisonment is not
hindering the gospel. There are many throughout the Bible who faced
hard circumstances, but they still advanced what God wanted them to do.
Paul was in jail when he wrote this letter to the Philippians. Job lost
everything but continued to be faithful to God.
Illustration
It is like Pastor John Cao who is wrongfully imprisoned in China.
Argumentation
What if in life there were no trials of any sort? We essentially would be
taking advantage of all the good in life. Well since there are trials of this
life, maybe it is God trying to test us or teach us something.
Application
When you are going through a trial you need to ask yourself two questions:
1. What is God trying to do in my life with this?
2. How can I help proclaim the gospel through this?
Transition (Div. 1 to Div. 2)
DIVISION 2 STATEMENT
When we are faithful in proclaiming Christ, others become confident to
proclaim Christ (v. 14).
Explanation
1 Thes. 5:11 tells us to encourage and build one another up. Though Paul
was going through some hardships, he continued to proclaim Christ and
therefore others were confident to proclaim Christ as well.
Illustration
After analyzing many surveys, J. C. Staehle found that the principle causes of
unrest among workers, were the following:1
a. Failure to give credit for suggestions.
b. Failure to correct grievances.
c. Failure to encourage.
d. Criticizing employees in front of other people.
e. Failure to ask employees their opinions.
f. Failure to inform employees of their progress.
g. Favoritism.
Even the secular world recognizes the power of encouragement.
Argumentation
Remember your high school days? Remember the influencer of your
group of friends? That person can almost encourage anyone to do
anything. They were that way because they were willing to put themselves
in the situation to do it. If we put ourselves in the position to proclaim
Christ, we empower others to do it as well.
Application
How can I help someone else proclaim the gospel? Look for ways to teach,
train, and equip others.
Transition (Div. 2 to Div. 3)
DIVISION 3 STATEMENT
We can’t change the motives of others, but we can change ours (v. 15-17).
Explanation
In 1 Cor. 12-13, it speaks about having gifts to use for Christ. All those
gifts will be in vain if you don’t have love. Having the true motive of
loving one another is essential for being faithful to proclaim Christ.
Illustration
C.S. Lewis said, "Humans are very seldom either totally sincere or totally
hypocritical. Their moods change, their motives are mixed, and they are
often themselves quite mistaken as to what their motives are."
Argumentation
Has someone ever offered to do something for you, and you knew there
was a catch to it? The motive behind the action is important. Especially in
times like we are dealing with now with all the virus stuff going on, if
someone finds out there is a different motive behind your action that is
unkind, it can be detrimental to your cause.
Application
Check your motives. Your motives should be biblical.
Transition (Div. 3 to Div. 4)
DIVISION 4 STATEMENT
We can rejoice for the gospel being advanced (v. 18)!
Explanation
Having the spirit of joy is knowing that regardless of our current
circumstances, we can rejoice in knowing that we are serving Christ.
Illustration
As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last
words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have
discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a
great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than
any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they
care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world.
These people are the Christians--and I am one of them."
Argumentation
Which one would you like: A moment of happiness or a lifetime of joy?
Living a life on a roller coaster of emotions is not a biblical way to live life.
Having an attitude of living a life of joy gives you a life of peace and
contentment.
Application
The goal of being a Christian is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and
make disciples. This we should rejoice in if it is being done.
Transition (Div. 4 to Concl.)
Conclusion
Visualization
Could you imagine if we had the attitude of Paul? In one of the hardest
times of his life, where he cannot go out and share the gospel, he was
rejoicing because others were doing it. No matter their motives for doing
so, the true gospel was being preached, and this brought great joy for
Paul.
Reiteration
We will all face some type of hardship in life. We can either rejoice in God
and advance the gospel or we can succumb in our pity.
Action
You are in one of two camps:
1. Life is great for you. You aren’t experiencing sickness, a loss job,
or any major life event that would cause discouragement. Again,
life will happen, and it will happen fast. Death, sickness, loss jobs,
et cetera will happen. Will you be prepared to continue to rejoice
in Christ and to advance the gospel?
2. Life is rough right now. You are experiencing hardship. You are in
a prison right now. I want you to know, though you may feel like
you are bound by life’s hardships, God is in control and He has the
power to break any chain holding you down. How can you use
your story to help others in the same situation?
Introduction
Attention
Interest
Need Element
Historical
Context
Textual Idea
Sermon Idea
Interrogative
It is inevitable that we at some time in our lives will lose someone we
love. No matter what, death is hard on families. It may be even harder to
watch a loved one die from a disease. A particular family comes to my
mind. Their daughter was diagnosed with a bone disease. After many
treatments and tests, the disease was getting worse. Throughout the
struggles this 10-year-old girl was dealing with, she was proclaiming
Christ to everyone. This little girl loved to sing, and she even began to
learn how to play the ukulele. She was able to play a song for Toby
Keith, the Oklahoma Sooners football team, and others. One of her
favorite songs was from Lauren Daigle and Lauren Daigle even reached
out to her to encourage her. A recording studio reached out to this little
girl and recorded a song from her. The song is called Riptide, it is about
being beaten by the waves but continuing to trust in God. Though this
little girl didn’t win the battle against cancer hear on Earth, she won the
war by keeping her faith in Jesus. No matter her circumstance, she was
proclaiming Christ, and therefore the gospel is being advanced from her
testimony, even after she has moved into eternity.
In this story, it would be easy for the parents and even the little girl to
give up their faith, and most wouldn’t blame them. The problem is, the
need for God is still there. They needed God during the circumstance
and no matter the results, they need God still. No matter what in life, we
need God.
Read Phil. 1:12-18
Philippi is in the eastern part of the Roman province of Macedonia. It is
a melting pot of people. There were natives living there as well as the
Greeks and Romans. Philippi was a place that Paul went to on his
second missionary journey. The church of Philippi was a huge help to
Paul in his ministry.
While being in prison, Paul wants to remind the church of Philippi that
no matter the circumstances, they are to advance the gospel with pure
motives.
God wants us to advance the gospel with pure biblical motives.
When you are advancing the gospel and come upon hard times, how
should you respond?
Transition
Body Division # 1
Explanation – V.12-13
Illustration
Story
Argumentation
Cross Reference
Application
Transition
Through our text, we can find three truths and one attitude change.
When believers preach Christ in all their circumstances, the gospel is advanced (v.
12-13).
Paul wants the believers in Philippi to know that his imprisonment is not hindering the
gospel. There are many throughout the Bible who faced hard circumstances, but they
still advanced what God wanted them to do. Paul was in jail when he wrote this letter
to the Philippians. Job lost everything but continued to be faithful to God.
It is like Pastor John Cao who is wrongfully imprisoned in China. On 5 March 2017,
Pastor Cao was targeted and detained by police when entering China, where he is a
citizen and holds a valid passport. He was taken to the Menglian Detention Center and
held for over two years. After his arrest, China has continued to not only violate and
ignore Pastor Cao’s rights. The most recent denial of Pastor Cao’s rights occurred on
25 July 2019, when in an unprecedented move, the court simply made a public
announcement of its decision to uphold the trial court’s decision without holding an
appeal hearing, as required by law. Pastor Cao has been transferred from the
Menglian Detention Center to Kunming prison, where he will undergo a 2-3 month
“orientation” period. If at the end of that period Pastor Cao is finally allowed visitors,
it will be the first time in over 2.5 years that his wife and children will be allowed to
see him.
What if in life there were no trials of any sort? We essentially would be taking
advantage of all the good in life. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (Read verses). Well since there are trials
of this life, maybe it is God trying to test us or teach us something.
When you are going through a trial you need to ask yourself two questions:
1. What is God trying to do in my life with this?
2. How can I help proclaim the gospel through this?
Number two in our application leads us to the next point. Not only when
we are faithful in proclaiming Christ so that others may come into a
relationship with Jesus, those who are already followers of Jesus
become bold to proclaim their faith.
Division # 2
When we are faithful in proclaiming Christ, others become confident to proclaim
Christ (v. 14).
Explanation
1 Thes. 5:11 tells us to encourage and build one another up. Though Paul was going
through some hardships, he continued to proclaim Christ and therefore others were
confident to proclaim Christ as well.
Illustration
Natural analogy
After analyzing many surveys, J. C. Staehle found that the principle causes of unrest
among workers, were the following:1
h. Failure to give credit for suggestions.
i. Failure to correct grievances.
j. Failure to encourage.
k. Criticizing employees in front of other people.
l. Failure to ask employees their opinions.
m. Failure to inform employees of their progress.
n. Favoritism.
Even the secular world recognizes the power of encouragement.
Argumentation
Personal experience
Remember your high school days? Remember the influencer of your group of friends?
That person can almost encourage anyone to do anything. They were that way
because they were willing to put themselves in the situation to do it. If we put
ourselves in the position to proclaim Christ, we empower others to do it as well.
Application
How can I help someone else proclaim the gospel? Look for ways to teach, train, and
equip others.
Transition
There are many times in which we have great opportunities to teach, train,
and equip people with the right motives to share the gospel. But there are
some that will not have the right motives.
Division # 3
We can’t change the motives of others, but we can change ours (v. 15-17).
Explanation
In 1 Cor. 12-13, it speaks about having gifts to use for Christ. All those gifts will be in
vain if you don’t have love. Having the true motive of loving one another is essential
for being faithful to proclaim Christ.
Illustration
Natural Analogy
C.S. Lewis said, "Humans are very seldom either totally sincere or totally hypocritical.
Their moods change, their motives are mixed, and they are often themselves quite
mistaken as to what their motives are."
Argument
Example
Has someone ever offered to do something for you, and you knew there was a catch
to it? The motive behind the action is important. Especially in times like we are
dealing with now with all the virus stuff going on, if someone finds out there is a
different motive behind your action that is unkind, it can be detrimental to your cause.
Check your motives. Your motives should be biblical.
Application
Transition
What are we to do with those who have impure motives?
We can rejoice for the gospel being advanced (v. 18)!
Division # 4
Explanation
Having the spirit of joy is knowing that regardless of our current circumstances, we
can rejoice in knowing that we are serving Christ.
Illustration
Story
As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend:
"It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a
quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is
a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and
persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome
the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them."
Argument
Other
Which one would you like: A moment of happiness or a lifetime of joy? Living a life on
a roller coaster of emotions is not a biblical way to live life. Having an attitude of living
a life of joy gives you a life of peace and contentment.
Application
The goal of being a Christian is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and make
disciples. This we should rejoice in if it is being done.
Transition
We rejoice! We rejoice for the gospel being advanced. We rejoice in whatever
circumstance we find ourselves in, the gospel is being advanced.
Conclusion
Visualization
Could you imagine if we had the attitude of Paul? In one of the hardest times of his
life, where he cannot go out and share the gospel, he was rejoicing because others
were doing it. No matter their motives for doing so, the true gospel was being
preached, and this brought great joy for Paul.
Reiteration
We will all face some type of hardship in life. We can either rejoice in God and
advance the gospel or we can succumb in our pity.
Action
You are in one of two camps:
3. Life is great for you. You aren’t experiencing sickness, a loss job, or any major
life event that would cause discouragement. Again, life will happen, and it
will happen fast. Death, sickness, loss jobs, et cetera will happen. Will you be
prepared to continue to rejoice in Christ and to advance the gospel?
4. Life is rough right now. You are experiencing hardship. You are in a prison
right now. I want you to know, though you may feel like you are bound by
life’s hardships, God is in control and He has the power to break any chain
holding you down. How can you use your story to help others in the same
situation?
