Originally posted by kirksey957
The deadline for the entries in the '08 sermon competition will be midnight on Saturday August 2nd. Don't ask about timezone shizzle as I ain't got time for that kind of stuff. They should be 5-7 minutes in length. They should have a passage to correspond to the message which is not part of the 5-7 minutes. They will be judged on integrity with the pa ...[text shortened]... what to preach.
This competition is proudly sponsored by the BWA-Ivory Tower coalition.
The Reverend Billy Bob Blackhand grips the cracked podium gently with both hands and stares out across his gathering congregation. He brushes imaginary dust off the threadbare lapels of his black jacket and reflects upon the people he ministers to. These are good people, farmers, auto mechanics, diner waitresses and other simple mid western folk. Sadly, times have been hard and many are turning to or away from the church in frustration. Billy Bob pats the worn leather of his bible and asks God to help him support his flock in this time of uncertainty.
With his head bowed, Billy Bob clears his throat loudly and in a soft voice says, "My Brothers and Sisters, let me tell you of God's good works." He pauses for a moment to let his congregation settle in and says, in a deeper voice,"Let me tell you of God's promise of spiritual victory. Open your ears to the story of Joshua and the city of Jericho."
"Jericho is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, the sandled feet of man have beaten its streets for 11,000 years. In the time of Joshua, Son of Nun, Jericho stood in undisputed dominion of the land of the Cannanites." Joshua, as Moses's successor was tasked by God to lead the people of Isreal to the promised land, to guide them spiritualy and make the strong in the face of their enemies."
"Joshua's people, much as we are now, were hard pressed and surround by enemies on all sides. There conquest of the lands of Cannan seemed doomed to failure, the mighty river Jordan stood inftront of them and blasted desert stood to their backs. Still, Joshua and the tribe of Ephrain were a people hardened by toil and their deep faith in God would deliver them. God came to Joshua and told him, 'Concecrate yourselves, for tomorrow, the Lord will do wonders amongst you.' (Joshua 3:5) and Joshua went amongst his people and prepared them for the coming works of God."
"In the coming days, the Isrealites witnessed great miricales. God stopped the flow of the River Jordan, much as he parted the Red Sea, and ushered Joshua into the land of Cannan. With the Jordan now at their backs, the Isrealites were faced with the high walls of Jericho bristling with the spears of their enemies."
"Again the people of Joshua would not be shaken in their faith and God crushed the walls of Jericho with a might horn blast. The Isrealites swept into the city and put it to the sword. They slaughtered every living thing and burned the city to the ground."
"Just as with Joshua, God has made you the same promise of spiritual victory. God is our salvation and to claim this promise requires a commitment to carnage and obedience. We must follow the Lord's battle plan with dedication and purpose. We must set ourselves apart from those unwilling to make sacrifices and bear the burden of hard times for God's glory. Just as with Joshua we too must sanctify ourselves and dedicate our lives to following God's Word."
"To survive these hard times and be victorious over our enemies, we must stregthen our faith in the Lord so we obey the command to be strong and courageous. We must meditate on the Word of God so that we are careful to obey completely. Perhaps most importantly we must focus on our vision of God's victory. But, I caution you. my Brothers and Sisters, this is no time for half measures, no time to step tentitvely into the river Jordan. We must commit to faith and cross the Jordan, not just get our feet wet. Do these things and Victory will be your gift from God."
"Now my Brothers and Sisters join me in the Lord's prayer. God is with us today as we dwell on the story of his humble servant Joshua. May God's victory be yours today and forever after. Let us pray."
Billy Bob Blackhand clasps his hands, and smiles gently as he reviews his gathered flock. He reflects that he's lucky to be able to touch such old souls and that, in some way, they have healed spiritually as much as he hopes to heal them.