Sermon Evaluation One

Dieter Zander
In the Chapel at GGBTS

for

P1411: Introduction to Preaching
Dave Page
Spring 2002

by

Chris A. Foreman, Box 780
March 13, 2002

Message synopsis:
The chapel service was one hour long with the first half hour given to a few announcements, then music and praise. The last song was "Majesty". As this song was ending, at exactly half past the hour, Dieter took the microphone. In response to the worshipful music, he asked everyone to knell before God. As people were knelling, he gave a short prayer. After praying, he began his sermon. He first introduced his Text - John 10:10 - that Jesus came to give abundant life. He then painted a story of "Hank", a person in his church who is cranky and does not relate well with others. He called his religion a "gospel of sin management" and not the "Gospel of Jesus". He trusted in Jesus but did not trust Jesus. His point was that as believers we tend to focus on the past (what Jesus did for us in saving us) and the future (we will inherit eternal life), but that many of us are like Hank. We suffer a miserable day-to-day existence. We do not have abundant life. He defined many words with precision along the way like sin, eternal life, kingdom of God, repentance lost, and saved. About midway, he presented an illustration of "belief": a famous tightrope walker over Niagara Falls who says if you really believe in me get in my wheelbarrow. He challenged us to consider the great commission. We must make disciples (not believers) in all nations; disciples who live in the present with an abundant life, and we must not be satisfied with a past action (accepting Jesus as savior) or future action (going to heaven). He wound up the sermon by returning to "Hank", saying that his salvation is probably secure, but that he lived a miserable life. He concluded with three questions: "Are we coming to Jesus full time?" "Are we the disciples of Jesus daily?" And, "If we are not making disciples then what are we doing?" He closed with a prayer. His whole presentation ran 25 minutes.


1. Content
a. Is the introduction clear and moving? The story of Hank seemed to draw people into the sermon. The text concerned abundant life and it was clear, that although Hank was saved he did not have it.
b. Is the message clear? I think so. There were about 10 verbatim definitions. Perhaps that was a few too many. His desire was to communicate and he wanted us to have the same definition for "saved", "lost" and "Kingdom of God", that he had.
c. Is the material well organized? Yes. It appears that he worked from notes and read the definitions exactly. He did appear rushed to get his message crammed into 25 minutes.
d. Does the message flow easily? I think that he moved from introduction to body and to conclusion quite well.
e. Is the message true to the text? Yes. His main points were that (1) Jesus wants us to have abundant lives, and that (2) We are to make disciples not just believers. f. Does the message have good supporting material? Although excessive, the definitions supported what he had to say. This was maybe a 40 minute sermon shoehorned into 25 minutes.
g. Are the illustrations helpful and contemporary? The tightrope walker illustration was over 100 years old. Hank was contemporary.
h. Is there good application given? The application wasn't so obvious. His three concluding questions were designed to motivate listeners into action. I am clearer personally that I must seek to make disciples (abundant livers) and not mere believers.
i. Is the conclusion clear and moving? Yes, the conclusion returned to Hank and the 3 points.


2. Delivery
a. Does the speaker show a desire to communicate? Yes, his words and definitions were precise. He maintained good eye contact and looked to his left and right.
b. Does the speaker seem to believe what he is preaching? I certainly think so. He wants to make disciples for our Lord. He wants us to enjoy abundant life.
c. Does the body language support the message with enthusiasm, energy, and gestures? He knelt and prayed with everybody else as the sermon began. He presented good body language. He was not shy. His gestures were confined to his arms. He was fixed at the podium. He appeared confident. He did glance at his watch a few times toward the end. He should have taken it off and placed in on the rostrum.
d. Did the message convey conviction and sincerity? Yes it did.
e. Was the audience responsive? Yes, they laughed at the right places. As I glanced around the room, most seemed to have him in their focus. Several people went up to talk with him after the chapel.
f. Did the message include elements of the professor's ideas? Yes, I did pick out a clear introduction and a clear conclusion. He specifically mentioned the sermon text. There was the human interest story about Hank and there was the one illustration about the tightrope walker. I think there was also a preface, but it went by quickly.