DEVELOPING A MESSAGE

The purpose of this lesson is to prepare leaders to be more effective in their teaching of the Word, and how to move the people from one spiritual location to another. We will discuss the importance of spiritual principles. If these principles are adhered to both in our studies and preparing of a message, they will mature you to a place where God can use you. Ministers must learn how to identify the mindsets that oppose these spiritual principles in their own lives. If a message is a series or a one-time message, there are some elements that must be included. Once a lesson is put together and taught, sit down, listen to it and allow someone else to preach it. This gives increase and depth. The content must exemplify a spiritual principle.

I. SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE

A spiritual principle is a mindset or an attitude extracted from the scripture to reflect God's mind, will, heart and purpose and can only be accomplished by spiritual people.

1. This principle must be delivered with clarity. If you are teaching something as simple as 'Love your enemies', you will need to define it. This is done by dealing with only what the scripture says.

2. Do not try to teach too many spiritual principles in one message. The principle must reflect God's mind. If you have not added or subtracted from it, you know it is God's mind.

B. Trust the scripture, rather than a commentary, to give you interpretation. A commentary is man's interpretation. Once you have the basic lesson, trust God as your source to lead you into study.

2 Peter 1:20

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation

You must allow the scriptures to interpret themselves. The Bible is written in three writing styles.

1. Figurative writing: In this writing, the meaning of a word or phrase is found in the context of that scripture. The meaning is always discerned by the way the word or phrase is used.

2. Symbolic writing: The meaning of the word or phrase is found in the immediate context of scripture or elsewhere in scripture. The meaning is not necessarily determined by the way the word or phrase is used. In this style of writing, the word is actually given a new meaning.

3. Literal writing: In this language or style of writing, the word or phrase says what it means and means what it says. It can contain some figurative and/or symbolic writing to enhance the meaning.

II. DEALING WITH OPPOSING MINDSETS

1. Identifies mindsets which oppose God's purpose and will make you [listeners] aware of how far you are from the principle (which is God's standard).

2. The spirit of discerning will identify the mindsets that oppose the principle.

3. Opposition will be seen inside of circumstances, situations and relationships. This is life. The message will be brought to life when you look into your own life. You must be a part of the message. Do not separate yourself from the message. Incorporate your experiential knowledge to bring the message to a 'right now' reality for the listeners.

4. Prove how detrimental a state of mind can be by measuring it against God's purpose. The measuring stick is always purpose.

III. IDENTIFYING THE ESCAPE This is the method of deliverance and will show you how to come out of a trial.

1. Identification is 99% of deliverance. The remaining 1% is submission. Move into obedience. Practice the righteous thing, which will cause an effect in your life. Obedience will move you into submission.

2. Include the consequences of not taking the escape route.

3. Use the Word. Do not add your personality to it. Let the Word do the cutting, gutting or rebuking.

4. The Holy Spirit will only work with you; when you are pointing the people to God.

IV. FOCUS ON DELIVERING THE MESSAGE

1. Your focus must be to move the people spiritually, not emotionally.

2. Stand in a posture that will not produce a false anointing or move the speaker out of place.

3. Too much attention on how you sound and your ability to reach the people will take away from your delivery.

4. Minister as if the people have never heard the message before.

5. Move from surface or elementary teaching to a higher level of ministry. The only way to do this is to stick to the principles.

6. Study how not to draw attention to yourself. This happens when you make yourself equal with the authority of the Word by demanding that the people perform the Word. This will cause you to become dogmatic, accusative and judgmental. Dogmatic means that flesh and pride have entered your message, and at this point, you will lose sight of the babes. Do not allow position or authority to drive you there.

A. The Word is the only thing that is powerful enough to change a negative or erroneous mindset.

B. Consider the people by examining yourself to see if there is any mercy or grace in what you say or do. Season your words with grace. It will be more easily received.

V. FOCUS IN COUNSELING

1. Stay focused on where you want to take a person (the spiritual principle you want to see operating in their life).

2. Circumstances, situations or relationships do not excuse unrighteousness. There is nothing a person can do to warrant unrighteousness. Always stand in righteousness. Show the mindsets that oppose the spiritual principle, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what is hindering the person and deal with the hindrances. This brings the Word alive.