Comments on: The Day I Missed the Point http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: I'm not from GCC http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-66050 I'm not from GCC Wed, 17 Oct 2007 01:08:41 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-66050 John MacArthur missing the point?? Incredible. Thank you for sharing your fond remembrances of a God-fearing, brilliant man whose admonition shaped your teaching and preaching in such a profound way. P.S. As a side note, Psalm 19:31 doesn't exist. I think it's a typo of Psalm 19:13. John MacArthur missing the point?? Incredible. Thank you for sharing your fond remembrances of a God-fearing, brilliant man whose admonition shaped your teaching and preaching in such a profound way.

P.S. As a side note, Psalm 19:31 doesn’t exist. I think it’s a typo of Psalm 19:13.

]]> By: Chris Cookston http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65960 Chris Cookston Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:46:48 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65960 Thanks for this John, This encourages me, as a young preacher I have had a fair amount of criticism over my preaching, one particular instance really stung me. My mentor mentioned about four things that I was doing consistently in my messages where I was losing credability. Looking back on those I am thankful and I believe that his criticism has made me better. But no matter what, we have got to get our exegesis right but no matter how hard we try sometimes we miss the point. This makes me cringe. Chris Thanks for this John,

This encourages me, as a young preacher I have had a fair amount of criticism over my preaching, one particular instance really stung me. My mentor mentioned about four things that I was doing consistently in my messages where I was losing credability. Looking back on those I am thankful and I believe that his criticism has made me better. But no matter what, we have got to get our exegesis right but no matter how hard we try sometimes we miss the point. This makes me cringe.

Chris

]]> By: Kristine http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65867 Kristine Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:10:29 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65867 This brilliant dean's intense convictions (which were thankfully passed on to his students!), to "never miss the point of scripture", are the same convictions that seem so hard for me to find in the books I read, published by Christian publishers; namely, many of the books authored by women. As a woman, particularly, it's frustrating and heart-wrenching to no end, really. Truly, praise God that this dean left such an impression on Dr. MacArthur; and many others, I'm sure. This brilliant dean’s intense convictions (which were thankfully passed on to his students!), to “never miss the point of scripture”, are the same convictions that seem so hard for me to find in the books I read, published by Christian publishers; namely, many of the books authored by women. As a woman, particularly, it’s frustrating and heart-wrenching to no end, really.

Truly, praise God that this dean left such an impression on Dr. MacArthur; and many others, I’m sure.

]]> By: Vimal Anand http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65770 Vimal Anand Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:47:00 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65770 Dear Pastor John, I live in India where there is no scarcity for experience-driven churches and where faithfulness to the Scriptural texts are sometimes despised. This article has once again reiterated the importance of handling God's Word with utmost care. I believe this would be of immense help when i study my Scripture portions. Thank you for your guidance through this article. Vimal Dear Pastor John,
I live in India where there is no scarcity for experience-driven churches and where faithfulness to the Scriptural texts are sometimes despised. This article has once again reiterated the importance of handling God’s Word with utmost care. I believe this would be of immense help when i study my Scripture portions. Thank you for your guidance through this article.

Vimal

]]> By: Shayne Robinson http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65582 Shayne Robinson Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:24:44 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65582 Dear brother, I am a 24 year old seminary student, just beginning to see the breathtaking spendor of God through His word. I was raised in an experience-driven church, awash with allegorical analysis of cultural problems and "churchy" responses... but the thing I longed for, and never received, was the pure spiritual milk of the Gospel of Christ. Sure, I heard that Jesus died for me, but now to hear the scriptures taught, and to teach it myself, as it was intended... I am finally able to glory in God, to understand the depths of my depravity, the great mercy He has bestowed... Thank you for these encouraging words. May God open the eyes of others to the wonder of the scriptures... to our audacity in preaching what we feel is relevant over the purpose of God in the text. Sola Scriptura Dear brother,

I am a 24 year old seminary student, just beginning to see the breathtaking spendor of God through His word. I was raised in an experience-driven church, awash with allegorical analysis of cultural problems and “churchy” responses… but the thing I longed for, and never received, was the pure spiritual milk of the Gospel of Christ. Sure, I heard that Jesus died for me, but now to hear the scriptures taught, and to teach it myself, as it was intended… I am finally able to glory in God, to understand the depths of my depravity, the great mercy He has bestowed…

Thank you for these encouraging words. May God open the eyes of others to the wonder of the scriptures… to our audacity in preaching what we feel is relevant over the purpose of God in the text.

Sola Scriptura

]]> By: Pastor John Yesh http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65535 Pastor John Yesh Sat, 13 Oct 2007 19:57:23 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65535 Dear John, GOD used the D.E. ministry of G.C.C. at a local park in 1982 to save my soul.It was During the 10 years of Discipleship & Training at Grace that I heard the quote from Studd that stuck in my heart about "a rescue station one yard from the gates of hell itself". Now, here I am Preaching in SO. Nevada near the Las Vegas strip. It is very hard for the lost to hear a message from The LORD when The Majority of PULPITS Are telling jokes, stories, gestures, and personal opinions. I am Convinced that the only thing that will make a difference in SO. Nevada (97% of the 2 million are unsaved) is a message from the LORD thru His Word, and for the preacher to stay out of the way. The only training I have Recieved in Preaching is your example to me over the last 25 years, and it has helped me through some very hard times. Thank You for Preaching the point of the passage, and the Meaning of Scripture.Thank You for Preaching GODS Word! Your Servant in Christ, Pastor John Yesh Dear John,
GOD used the D.E. ministry of G.C.C. at a local park in 1982 to save my soul.It was During the 10 years of Discipleship & Training at Grace that I heard the quote from Studd that stuck in my heart about “a rescue station one yard from the gates of hell itself”. Now, here I am Preaching in SO. Nevada near the Las Vegas strip.
It is very hard for the lost to hear a message from The LORD when The Majority of PULPITS Are telling jokes, stories, gestures, and personal opinions. I am Convinced that the only thing that will make a difference in SO. Nevada (97% of the 2 million are unsaved) is a message from the LORD thru His Word, and for the preacher to stay out of the way.
The only training I have Recieved in Preaching is your example to me over the last 25 years, and it has helped me through some very hard times.
Thank You for Preaching the point of the passage, and the Meaning of Scripture.Thank You for Preaching GODS Word!

Your Servant in Christ, Pastor John Yesh

]]> By: Wayne MacKirdy http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65435 Wayne MacKirdy Sat, 13 Oct 2007 04:17:47 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65435 John, I am not currently in a teaching position, but I have been teaching the Book of Genesis in a military chapel. Two things strike me as I read the above: 1. I am amazed that after graduating from Talbot 28 years ago, it wasn't until five years ago that I began teaching this foundational book. I am reminded almost weekly of your preaching, your commitment to "the pint of the passage," and I count myself as blessed for having been at Grace during those formative years. 2. I have listened to a wide range of preacher/chaplains during the years of association with military chapels. There have been those who have been unashamed workers, rightly dividing the Word, and there have been a few who should hang their heads in shame. One, in particular, preached for over 2 years, and never once found the point of the passage. What a painful experience. Thanks you, John, for your wonderful example to all of us who have been called to open the Word of God before His people. John,

I am not currently in a teaching position, but I have been teaching the Book of Genesis in a military chapel. Two things strike me as I read the above:

1. I am amazed that after graduating from Talbot 28 years ago, it wasn’t until five years ago that I began teaching this foundational book. I am reminded almost weekly of your preaching, your commitment to “the pint of the passage,” and I count myself as blessed for having been at Grace during those formative years.

2. I have listened to a wide range of preacher/chaplains during the years of association with military chapels. There have been those who have been unashamed workers, rightly dividing the Word, and there have been a few who should hang their heads in shame. One, in particular, preached for over 2 years, and never once found the point of the passage. What a painful experience.

Thanks you, John, for your wonderful example to all of us who have been called to open the Word of God before His people.

]]> By: Steve Lamm http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65352 Steve Lamm Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:42:44 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65352 Dear John, You should know that your example of preaching the main point of a text has also stuck with me. While I attended Grace as a young Christian, I gained confidence that after hearing a sermon of yours on a particular passage, I would know the point of that passage God intended. Today, as I prepare my sermons I too am concerned that I transmit the meaning the Holy Spirit had when He inspired the text. I must tell you that it is a constant weight upon me that I might mislead God's flock because I might "miss the point!" Thanks for your example. Blessings, Steve Lamm Dear John,

You should know that your example of preaching the main point of a text has also stuck with me. While I attended Grace as a young Christian, I gained confidence that after hearing a sermon of yours on a particular passage, I would know the point of that passage God intended.

Today, as I prepare my sermons I too am concerned that I transmit the meaning the Holy Spirit had when He inspired the text. I must tell you that it is a constant weight upon me that I might mislead God’s flock because I might “miss the point!”

Thanks for your example.

Blessings,
Steve Lamm

]]> By: KirbyJ http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-65332 KirbyJ Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:56:40 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/10/12/the-day-i-missed-the-point/#comment-65332 I often face criticism because the attending accoutrements of the preaching task are not there: I don't illustrate enough, alliterate enough, introduce well enough or have enough application. I have heard it all. But what I never hear, praise God, is that I've missed the point. and the reason I focus on the point so much is because of John's passion and the passion of my professors at the seminary in the early 90's. I still work on all the other aspects of the presentation, but never to the exclusion of my time in exegesis. I'm sure while I was at seminary, Dr. MacArthur told that story about Dr. Feinberg on occasion. But everyday at Master's was an exercise of getting the text right because Christ would judge the teacher with a harsher judgment. Praise the Lord! I often face criticism because the attending accoutrements of the preaching task are not there: I don’t illustrate enough, alliterate enough, introduce well enough or have enough application. I have heard it all. But what I never hear, praise God, is that I’ve missed the point. and the reason I focus on the point so much is because of John’s passion and the passion of my professors at the seminary in the early 90’s. I still work on all the other aspects of the presentation, but never to the exclusion of my time in exegesis. I’m sure while I was at seminary, Dr. MacArthur told that story about Dr. Feinberg on occasion. But everyday at Master’s was an exercise of getting the text right because Christ would judge the teacher with a harsher judgment. Praise the Lord!

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