McMahon's Weekly Expository Sermons Online at APM

Dr Matthew your sermons have helped me out a lot and BTW I love buying your books on Puritan Publishing amen to that .............
 
Dr. McMahon, what is your process for selecting a text for a Lord’s Day sermon? It seems that although you may not necessarily use a lectio continua method of selecting texts to preach on, you are very thorough and intentional in what you choose, and I was curious on your process behind that.
 
clawrence9008 said:
Dr. McMahon, what is your process for selecting a text for a Lord’s Day sermon? It seems that although you may not necessarily use a lectio continua method of selecting texts to preach on, you are very thorough and intentional in what you choose, and I was curious on your process behind that.
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Thank you for asking. It is an important question overall. I was asked this two years ago in this thread and answered briefly this way, "What do I use to determine my very intentional choices of texts and subjects? ...sensitivity to the Spirit's leading for the spiritual good of the congregation considering the present spiritual state of the church (to the glory of Christ's formation in them) and what Scripture(s) would best suit those spiritual needs (Isa. 6:5, 9). (There's more to it in the process, but that's the simple answer.)"

Let me expound a little bit more. I don't use a lectionary of any kind. Yes, I'm VERY intentional. But that is an informed intention. I tend to rely on the Bible, the Westminster Standards, and on the Spirit. (Most reformed preachers will want to say they do that). And yet, that practically works out by being in touch with the people, i.e. being in their life, into their families, into their sins, into their family worship, into thier head of household duties, etc., ((Isa. 6) akin to the work of Perkins (or even Baxter at Kiddiminster)), and knowing their need to understand the basics of theology from being poorly taught in other places, those two aspects tend to fuel direction (taking heed to their life and doctrine). I'm basically molding the Westminster Shorter Catechism into overall sermon topics. But at the same time, I'm interweaving that into larger studies (as when we spent 30 sermons on the book of Ruth - yes it was on Ruth, but it was also on what they needed to hear at the time, and God's providence in that).

For example, we just finished 12 sermons on being under the blood of Christ. They needed to hear that.
This next Lord's Day we start 5 sermons on John 3, and I'm pressing the particular nature of the atonement (Q. 21 and 31 for example). Particular to his people, and they need, now, to hear that.

Next year, to give them a more full interaction with Scripture, I intend on doing 1 sermon from each book of the bible starting with Genesis. Key biblical passages, or important ones that relate to them and their walk at this present time - so 66 books, 66 sermons (but all kinds of topics that will he helpful to their walk). Most Christians have never heard a sermon from Obadiah, Philemon, or the Song of Songs. Choosing a text will be determined on their need and sanctification. Some will be easy to choose (like in the Psalms there are too many), some will be harder depending on the book (like Nahum or maybe Romans - so much to choose from there - their current walk will determine which avenue that goes to). It's not about what I "want to preach about" (which is often the plight of the modern church) but what the people need to hear. It's not about me. (Though it might be about me if I need to hear it as well - I preach to me first, see Ezra 7:10.)

But I want them to know their bibles. They are coming around to understanding and seeing Christ everywhere in Scripture, especially in the Psalms, and the OT. As they see that, preaching becomes easier. But I will always be thorough, Lord willing. Which means sometimes I will spend a great deal of time dealing with a topic they need to hear, like some of the sermons we just went over: self-flattery (10 sermons), following Christ (7 sermons), the throne of Christ as King (7 sermons) or sanctification and holiness (like all the sermons have in them). It really depends on thier walk and understanding what they need.

I know my answer is not necessarily "process related" as it pertains to your question - step by step. My answer is more of an overarching world-view of preaching. Preachers ought not to preach merely to preach. But they preach to show forth the supremacy of Christ, and the spiritual profit people can gain from hearing the word preached in order to glorify God. Without being "in" the people's lives, being able to be sent to them and minister to them would be almost impossible. It would be preaching "hoping" to hit them with a sermon that "might" be helpful. People need substance today, and lots of it. And they even need to learn how to process substance.

My process always follows where they are at, and what I believe the Lord leads me to deal with them in a way they can be helped right now based on what I know to be true about thier life. But If I don't know thier sins, thier lives, thier families, thier tribulations, thier sufferings, thier praises, their needs, etc., preaching to a flock in this way would be impossible.

I hope that helps a little.
 
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