Sermon Evaluation #3

Christian Assembly Foursquare Church – preacher:  Pastor Mark Pickerell

1. What is the focus of this sermon?  The focus of the sermon is Love of the Divine kind.

2. How did the sermon use the text to address the contemporary situation?    The primary text of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 was used primarily for our contemporary situation, with very little analysis of the original context.  Love is the crucial aspect of our relationships, with God and others, it is required for us to know God and live in a true community in a fractured, world where we are all to some degree or another awkward and needy.

3. How did the sermon offer hope or the message of God’s promise to the listener?  God’s love, love as a whole, is exemplified in the life and work of his son.  God first loved us, and continues to love us, that is the source of our love to him and others.

4. How was the sermon transformative?  How might we be changed from hearing this message?    Our own capacity to love is limited, but we must be willing to engage others in loving relationships with the power of the Spirit in us.  This requires both receiving from God and putting into practice.  Love is active, and we must be active in our love.

5. Were the logic and structure of the sermon clear?  Did it flow smoothly and coherently?  Sermon was very clear and orderly.  It had a fine balance of engaging material, challenge, exhortation, and was filled with a strong underlying hope which gave a vibrancy to the message.  Very good in bringing the listener along to the conclusion without initially expressing where we were going.

6.  What was most memorable about this sermon?  The most memorable part of this sermon was the three interesting images of personal anecdotes compared with Jesus’ own reactions to those in need of feeling loved.  It is not “natural” to love as Jesus did, but we are called to do so and must work at being shaped into his mold.

7.  Any suggestions for improvement?  This was a fabulous sermon, interesting and stirring.  The images and stories were a well balanced mix of old and new.  Nothing comes to mind which could use improving.