When reading the sermon expert "Never Quit" by Jerry Falwell, I immediately thought
of McDills 11th skill which is Aiming for a faith response. a McDill defines a faith
response as, "Since biblical faith is objective, the focus of preaching must be the
object of faith, the person of God. The preacher enhances faith by pointing his
hearers to God, his character, his capabilities, his intentions, and his record."[1]
Essentially this skill allows the listener to hear God and strengthen their faith in who
God is and who He is calling them to be. In the expert Falwell says this, "Trouble is a
basic ingredient for spiritual growth. God does not give us overcoming life, He gives
us life as we overcome."[2] Falwell in his expert continues to point back to the
character of God, and His purpose. He encourages the listeners to look back at who
God is with the truth. He explains well that in this life there will be trouble, but it
takes faith to know God will be with you as He promises. He demonstrates this well
by saying, "The three Hebrew children were cast into the fiery furnace; they were not
delivered from it. But, when they went into the fiery furnace He, Christ, went in with
them. He has promised not to deliver us from trouble, but to walk with us through
our troubles."[3] Falwell uses this story to prove that God will provide in our troubles,
and this shows the listener an example of that faith.
Billy Graham's message excerpt "Things That Never Change" also made me think of
Skill 11 in McDills 12 Essential Skills. Skill 11 is Aiming for a faith response, which
is, "It seems reasonable to press for change in the hearer, whether that change is
born of faith or not. But, as is often the case, what seems reasonable is not biblical.
If the preacher hopes for obedience, he must preach for faith."[4] Graham does this
by explaining at the end of his excerpt point-by-point truths of who God is. He
explains points that can be manipulated by us the hearers of the word and corrects
the misconception. Graham presses for change to his listeners by giving them these
truth bombs and them wanting to make a response out of faith.
