Sermon Evaluation #2

NewSong  Church, preacher:  Pastor Frank Selvaggio

1. What is the focus of this sermon?  The focus of this sermon was needing to forgive one another

2. How did the sermon use the text to address the contemporary situation?    The text of Colossians 3:13 was used to exhort the church of the fundamental need of forgiveness in a Biblical community.  Forgiveness brings wholeness and health to our present existence, and holding onto “grievances” brings discouragement and defeat.

3. How did the sermon offer hope or the message of God’s promise to the listener?  A community is possible in which we will be accepted even if we do wrong, and a place where our bitterness is not allowed to consume us.  We ourselves have been forgiven, and our response comes from this hope and promise.

4. How was the sermon transformative?  How might we be changed from hearing this message?    This message prompted us to examine if we harbor any undealt with issues of unforgiveness in our lives, whether on the surface, or somehow rationalized.  It prompted us to seek healing in this and true reconciliation with those who we may still hold something against

5. Were the logic and structure of the sermon clear?  Did it flow smoothly and coherently?

Being more deductive in style, it flowed almost too orderly, point by point.  It seemed to be a sermon based on lists.  But, the message was certainly clear and well-stated.  It jumped around at times, but maintained its common theme and goal.

6.  What was most memorable about this sermon?  The most memorable part was the very open admission of deep depression, in some ways caused by holding onto past wrongs.  This story made one feel this pastor really was talking from experience in these issues.

7.  Any suggestions for improvement?  Some of the images were a bit stretched, but overall very good in what my opinion is an uninteresting style in general.  There were a few too many “from the Greek” comments, which I do not think particularly added to the message, as well as a possible over-dependence on other thinkers as the source of points.  There was very little originality shining through.