It is interesting to notice sermons recorded in the Scriptures and go through an exercise of reading them aloud.  While the apostle Paul preached many sermons, the first recorded sermon of his, preserved for us in the Bible is the one delivered in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:13-50).

While certainly Jews were a part of the audience, a number of Gentiles who feared the true God were present as well.  Paul addressed both groups.  Notice he started his sermon with, “Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience” (Acts 13:16).  Also in Acts 13:26 he addresses them again saying, “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.”

The word of salvation was sent to both Jews and Gentiles.  Paul’s sermon includes several points that were pertinent to understanding this message of salvation.  He detailed the history of the nation of Israel to the time of David of whose seed Jesus Christ came, fulfilling the promise of God (vv. 17-23).  He referenced the preparatory work of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ who attested to His greatness (vv. 24-25).  He demonstrated that the Jews of Jerusalem without knowing it actually fulfilled the prophecies concerning Christ in demanding His death when even the Roman procurator Pilate knew of His innocence (vv. 26-28).  He marshaled the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection from the dead by many eyewitnesses (vv. 29-31).  He showed how this resurrection was a fulfillment of Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 55:3 and Psalm 16:10 (vv. 32-37).  He declared how justification, remission of sins, is found through faith in Jesus Christ and cannot be attained through the law of Moses (vv. 38-39).  He finally (using the language of  Habbakuk 1:5) warned if they refused to believe the message then they would face the punishment of God as described in the prophets (vv. 40-41).

Paul’s sermon informed his audience accurately of history. Christianity is based in actual history.  Sermons today ought to fill in people’s knowledge of what God has done with the accompanying evidence to prove it.  His sermon included lots of scripture both summarized and quoted.  God said, “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). God’s word is what people really need, not motivational speeches, jokes, or entertaining tidbits.  His sermon made the way of salvation clear: what it is and is not. Sermons today should not be vague about what one must do to be saved.  Finally, his sermon warned of punishment. Future punishment has never been a popular teaching but it is an absolutely essential part of the message of Christ, “Whom we preach, warning every man…” (Colossians 1:28).

Paul’s preaching caused quite a stir.  Nearly the entire city assembled the next Sabbath to hear God’s word (Acts 13:44).  The Jews were filled with jealousy at this turn out and contradicted what Paul said and blasphemed (Acts 13:45).  Paul and Barnabas turned to the ones who would hear it, in this case, the Gentiles (Acts 13:46).  We pray that more preaching today would bear these characteristics and cause this kind of stir!  We pray that more would be ready to hear it!

-Mark Day

In Jeremiah 9:23-24, Jeremiah relays a message from God that applies very well today.

“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

The word “glory” means simply “to boast.” Notice there are three things we are told not to boast in and then are told what we are to boast in.

What Not To Glory In, vs. 23. God issues a solemn warning to guide men away from 3 human ambitions that claim to be sources of success: human wisdom, might, and riches.

Do not glory in Wisdom: application of knowledge. What is our wisdom compared to God’s? (1 Corinthians 1:20). Wisdom can be a good thing. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction., Proverbs 1:7. However, wisdom is wrong when we boast in it.

Do not glory in Might: physical strength, i.e. valor, bravery, mighty deeds. It is not wrong to be powerful. David and Abraham were mighty men. Might becomes wrong when we boast in it.  Nebuchadnezzar was a man who boasted in his might (Daniel 4:30); and he was humbled by the God of heaven (Daniel 4:31f).

Do not glory in Riches: material wealth. It is not wrong to be wealthy. Job was wealthy, David was wealthy. Wealth is wrong when we boast in it (Luke 12:16-21) and we are not generous in our giving to the Lord (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Wisdom, might, and wealth are not inherently evil, however, when men boast and glory in them they lead to spiritual death rather than success. We must remember “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”, Proverbs 16:18.

Things To Glory In, vs. 24. This verse moves from man’s folly to how the wise man may gain God’s favor.

Understanding God. This means to comprehend, to gain insight into. This takes a great deal of work (2 Timothy 2:15), however, we can understand God’s word. (John 8:32).

Knowing God. We can know that we know God (1 John 2:3-5). We know that we know him if we keep his commandments. By keeping his commandments, we can have fellowship with him (1 John 1:7). The things we are to know, God describes Himself:

He exercises loving kindness. Christ shows all the qualities of the Father. Cf. Colossians 2:9; John 14:8-9.

He exercises judgment. What a comfort this is to us. The wicked will not go unpunished and the righteous will not go unrewarded. Cf. Psalm 62:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10.

He exercises righteousness. Righteousness – rectitude, just, upright. This is the principle that underlies God’s rule over His people and His judgments against the wicked. God is righteous and has given man the Gospel, the means by which God makes man righteous. (Romans 1:16-17).

God is asking Judah: “What is really important?” Not wisdom, Not riches, Not might. What is truly important is knowing God. Having a right relationship with God. The Lord says, “for in these things I delight.” Vs. 24.

By example God is asking you (Romans 15:4) “What is really important?” Not wisdom, Not riches, Not might. What is truly important is knowing God. Having a right relationship with God. God had given Judah His message that they might be in a right relationship with Him.

God has given us the Gospel, His message, by which we can have a right relationship with Him. “For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

–Jerry D. Sturgill