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Textual

We have noted that the three general types of sermons are topical, textual, and expository, and that many books have been written to teach and assist us in using the three types. Last month we briefly considered the topical sermon and gave an example of that type of outline. In this month's treatise we turn attention to the textual sermon. Whereas the topical sermon is the development of a theme, the textual sermon is the development of a text. Many verses and short passages can be found that have points and thoughts already outlined, and ready for prayerful expansion into useful lessons.

As an example of the textual type I offer an outline I began developing in 1951. Its simple title is "Following Paul," and the text is 1Cor. 11:1 ("Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ"). The Introduction to the sermon points out that if we wish to be righteous in life we will choose to be influenced by those who are righteous - 1Pet. 5:3; 1Tim. 4:12, and that a good example for us to follow is the apostle Paul. Here the TEXT is read; then it is stated that we do well to copy Paul in matters of faith, character, spiritual relationships, and spiritual activity - Heb. 13:7; Phil. 4:9.

The first point in the body of the outline is that we follow Paul when we turn from wickedness to righteousness in life. Under this Number 1 point the supporting points are: A. Paul saw a great need in his life - Acts 9:1-9; Gal. 1:13; Rom. 12:9; 13:12; Eph. 4:22-24; Tit. 2:12. B. He began by obeying the Savior - Acts 9:10-18; 22:16. C. So must we obey, since we are to be saved in the same manner as was he - Heb. 5:9. Under C. is: 1. What he was told to do - Acts 22:16. 2. What he did - Acts 9:18. 3. What he taught others - Gal. 3:26-27 -- cf Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Mt. 10:32; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rev. 2:10.

  1. Paul saw a great need in his life - Acts 9:1-9; Gal. 1:13; Rom. 12:9; 13:12; Eph. 4:22-24; Tit. 2:12.
  2. He began by obeying the Savior - Acts 9:10-18; 22:16.
  3. So must we obey, since we are to be saved in the same manner as was he - Heb. 5:9.
    1. What he was told to do - Acts 22:16.
    2. What he did - Acts 9:18.
    3. What he taught others - Gal. 3:26-27 -- cf Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Mt. 10:32; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rev. 2:10.

The second major point is that we follow Paul when we maintain deep and unchanging love for the truth of Christ. The supporting points: A. If we do not love the Lord's truth, then we have no love for the Lord - Eph. 4:15; 2Th. 2:10-12; Phi. 1:17; Gal. 2:5; Acts 20:30-32; Col. 1:5; 1Pet. 3:15. B. To enjoy recognition of God, we must accept and be governed by Paul's teaching - 1Cor. 14:37; Gal. 1:11-12. C. Regarding denominations -- Paul was not a member of one; he did not authorize anyone else to be part of one; in fact, he taught against everything that is unique to denominationalism: 1. Division - 1Cor. 1:10. 2. Human creeds - Rom. 16:17. 3. False doctrine - Gal. 1:8-9. 4. Human names in religion - 1Cor. 1:12-13. 5. Unauthorized worship - Jn. 4:24. 6. Typical modern organization - Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1.

  1. If we do not love the Lord's truth, then we have no love for the Lord - Eph. 4:15; 2Th. 2:10-12; Phi. 1:17; Gal. 2:5; Acts 20:30-32; Col. 1:5; 1Pet. 3:15.
  2. To enjoy recognition of God, we must accept and be governed by Paul's teaching - 1Cor. 14:37; Gal. 1:11-12.
  3. Regarding denominations -- Paul was not a member of one; he did not authorize anyone else to be part of one; in fact, he taught against everything that is unique to denominationalism:
    1. Division - 1Cor. 1:10.
    2. Human creeds - Rom. 16:17.
    3. False doctrine - Gal. 1:8-9.
    4. Human names in religion - 1Cor. 1:12-13.
    5. Unauthorized worship - Jn. 4:24.
    6. Typical modern organization - Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1.

Major point three: We follow Paul when we display love to Christ, faithfulness to Him, and consecration to Him in all of life. Supporting points: A. Spirituality in thinking is the basis - Acts 27:23-25; Phil. 1:21; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:1-3; Jn. 7:17. B. Then total submission to the authority of Heaven - cf Mt. 26:39; Jn. 8:29; Acts 9:6; 26:16-20. C. Sacrifice and service - 1Cor. 9:27; Phil. 3:7-8; 2Cor. 11:23-28; Rom. 12:1; Mt. 6:33; 2Cor. 8:9. D. Frequent prayer (Not just for self) - 1Th. 3:9-10; Lk. 18:8; 1Th. 5:17; Eph 6:18. E. Contentment - Phil. 4:11-13,6-7,19; Heb. 13:5-6. F. Recognize our enormous responsibility to others - Rom. 1:14-15; 15:1-3; 1Cor. 10:32-33; 8:9-11,13; 9:19-22; 2Tim. 2:2; Acts 20:20,27; Jas. 5:19-20; Jn. 4:35; 9:4. G. Endurance to the completion of life's mission - Acts 20:24; 2Tim. 4:6-7; Jn. 4:34; 17:4; Heb. 3:14; 6:11-12; 12:1-3.

  1. Spirituality in thinking is the basis - Acts 27:23-25; Phil. 1:21; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:1-3; Jn. 7:17.
  2. Then total submission to the authority of Heaven - cf Mt. 26:39; Jn. 8:29; Acts 9:6; 26:16-20.
  3. Sacrifice and service - 1Cor. 9:27; Phil. 3:7-8; 2Cor. 11:23-28; Rom. 12:1; Mt. 6:33; 2Cor. 8:9.
  4. Frequent prayer (Not just for self) - 1Th. 3:9-10; Lk. 18:8; 1Th. 5:17; Eph 6:18.
  5. Contentment - Phil. 4:11-13,6-7,19; Heb. 13:5-6.
  6. Recognize our enormous responsibility to others - Rom. 1:14-15; 15:1-3; 1Cor. 10:32-33; 8:9-11,13; 9:19-22; 2Tim. 2:2; Acts 20:20,27; Jas. 5:19-20; Jn. 4:35; 9:4.
  7. Endurance to the completion of life's mission - Acts 20:24; 2Tim. 4:6-7; Jn. 4:34; 17:4; Heb. 3:14; 6:11-12; 12:1-3.

To conclude this sermon I use the following conclusion points: 1. With Judgment and Eternity in view, we commend this course to all accountable people - TEXT (1Cor. 11:1). 2. No one can afford not to follow Paul as he followed Christ - Heb. 2:2-3. 3. We can have the same sustaining hope Paul had at the end of life - 2Tim. 4:8. 4. You need to respond to the will of Heaven when you learn it, as did he - HBRCBF (Acts 22:16; 9:18; 2Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:15). 5. Can inspiration persuade YOU? - Acts 26:27-29.

  1. With Judgment and Eternity in view, we commend this course to all accountable people - TEXT (1Cor. 11:1).
  2. No one can afford not to follow Paul as he followed Christ - Heb. 2:2-3.
  3. We can have the same sustaining hope Paul had at the end of life - 2Tim. 4:8.
  4. You need to respond to the will of Heaven when you learn it, as did he - HBRCBF (Acts 22:16; 9:18; 2Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:15).
  5. Can inspiration persuade YOU? - Acts 26:27-29.

As usual, at the end of the outline I give names of men from whom I gained additional thoughts for the sermon. For our next visit we will take a look at the expository sermon. Thanks for reading, and thanks for searching the greatest Book of Sermon Outlines available to us -- The Word of God. - Derrel Shaw

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