Post on 06-Apr-2018
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
1/53
V@J
@NXFJSV
SJXKOMS
Rou II JvJX @NQJ
Vo
\XJNC@
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
2/53
@NXFJSVSJXKOMS\X J N C @
V@ J
RO Z I I JQ J X @NQ J V O
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
3/53
H X R N M C @ N \ J I I
@ j i p a r o k Vr u s t j f \ r j n c ` j r sa o r Vr n d b c V b k j s
@NXFJSVSJXKOMS\X J N C @
V@ J
RO Z I I JQ J X @NQ J V O
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
4/53
WOMFJXQNM
V`j @nrfjst Sjrkoms Rouii Jvjr @nvj to \rjnc`
Copyrbd`t 8> hy Hrynm C`npjii
V`bs tbtij bs niso nvnbinhij ns n Womfjrvnm jhooe. Qbsbt www.zomfjrvnm.cok/jhooes.
Xjqujsts aor bmaorkntbom s`ouif hj nffrjssjf to7
Womfjrvnm, Drnmf Xnpbfs, Kbc`bdnm 62:31 (soatcovjr)
>. Suaajrbmd Xjibdbous nspjcts C`rbstbnmbty Sjrkoms. 8. Comsointbom Sjrkoms. 3.
Sjrkoms, Nkjrbcnm. B. C`npjii, Hrynm.
HQ62
8:8.:1 fc88 8>240, >206, 8> hy Hbhibcn, Bmc. Zsjf hy pjrkbssbom
oa Womfjrvnm. Nii rbd`ts rjsjrvjf worifwbfj.
Scrbpturj quotntboms knrejf JSQ nrj tnejm arok V`j @oiy Hbhij, Jmdibs` Stnmfnrf Qjrsbom. Copy-rbd`t 8210, >24>, >248, >243, >24:, >244, >22: hy V`j Ioceknm Aoumfntbom. Zsjf hy pjrkbssbom. Scrbp-
turj quotntboms knrejf MXSQ nrj tnejm arok t`j Mjw Xjvbsjf Stnmfnrf Qjrsbom oa t`j Hbhij.
Copyrbd`t >202 hy t`j Fbvbsbom oa C`rbstbnm Jfucntbom oa t`j Mntbomni Coumcbi oa C`urc`js oa
C`rbst bm t`j ZSN. Zsjf hy pjrkbssbom. Nii rbd`ts rjsjrvjf. Scrbpturj quotntboms knrejf XSQ nrj
tnejm arok t`j Xjvbsjf Stnmfnrf Qjrsbom oa t`j Hbhij. Copyrbd`t >261, >2:8, >24> hy t`j Fbvb-
sbom oa C`rbstbnm Jfucntbom oa t`j Mntbomni Coumcbi oa C`urc`js oa C`rbst bm t`j ZSN. Zsjf hy
pjrkbssbom.
Nmy Bmtjrmjt nffrjssjs (wjhsbtjs, hiods, jtc.) nmf tjijp`omj mukhjrs bm t`bs hooe nrj oaajrjf
ns n rjsourcj. V`jy nrj mot bmtjmfjf bm nmy wny to hj or bkpiy nm jmforsjkjmt hy Womfjrvnm,
mor fojs Womfjrvnm vouc` aor t`j comtjmt oa t`jsj sbtjs nmf mukhjrs aor t`j ibaj oa t`bs hooe.
Nii rbd`ts rjsjrvjf. Mo pnrt oa t`bs puhibcntbom kny hj rjprofucjf, storjf bm n rjtrbjvni systjk,
or trnmskbttjf bm nmy aork or hy nmy kjnms jijctrombc, kjc`nmbcni, p`otocopy, rjcorfbmd, or
nmy ot`jr jxcjpt aor hrbja quotntboms bm prbmtjf rjvbjws, wbt`out t`j prbor pjrkbssbom oa t`j
puhibs`jr.
Covjr fjsbdm7 Gjaa Dbaaorf
Bmtjrbor fjsbdm7 Hjm Ajttjrijy & Kntt`jw Qnm Wokjrjm
\rbmtjf bm t`j Zmbtjf Stntjs oa Nkjrbcn
>> >8 >3 >6 >: >1 /FCB/ 83 88 8> 8< >2 >0 >4 >1 >: >6 >3 >8 >> >< 2 0 4 1 : 6 3 8 >
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
5/53
Vo
anbt`aui pnstors
B `nvj `nf t`j prbvbijdj oa tjnc`bmd
nmf jmcourndbmd aor korj t`nm t`rjj fjcnfjs.
Hy your ibvjs nmf kbmbstrbjs
Dofs pjopij `nvj emowm
t`j iovj, cokaort, nmf strjmdt` oa Gjsus C`rbst
bm tbkjs oa trndjfy.Rour kbmbstry ns C`rbsts nkhnssnfors
nkbfst naaibctbom nmf pnbm
bs vbctory hjyomf worfs, trjnsurj hjyomf kjnsurj,
nmf drncj kost prjcbous.
@opj stbii hiooks bm fnremjss
hjcnusj you wjrj t`jrj wbt` t`j ibd`t oa t`j dospji.
B t`nme Dof upom jvjry rjkjkhrnmcj oa you.
V`oud` t`j worif fjspbsjs your oaabcj or fbscoumts your cnrj,
your ioynity to your cniibmd nmf fjvotbom to your Snvbor
bs rjcorfjf bm `jnvjm nmf `omorjf hy nii w`o fwjii t`jrj.
Rou `nvj knfj nm jtjrmni fbaajrjmcj
hy nmc`orbmd souis to ums`nenhij trut` bm t`jbr worst storks.
Mo worf oa Scrbpturj you `nvj spoejm
`ns hjjm wbt`out Dofs bmtjmfjf jaajct.
Mo iovbmd fjjf `ns hjjm too ohscurj to jscnpj `bs motbcj.Mo drbja you `nvj hormj `ns hjjm autbij.
Rour inhor bs mot bm vnbm.
@j w`o hjdnm n doof wore bm you
wbii cnrry bt om to cokpijtbom
umtbi t`j fny
oa C`rbst Gjsus.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
6/53
COMVJMVS
Jfbtors Motj. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Bmtrofuctbom7 V`j Kjssndj oa t`j Cross aor t`j Kystjry oa Vrndjfy. >>
\nrt Omj
\XJNC@BMDBMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
C`nptjr Omj7NHOXVBOM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >2 Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Vwo7C@BIFNHZSJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Fnm Forbnmb
C`nptjr V`rjj7COKKZMBVRVXNDJFR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :4 Vbk Ejiijr
C`nptjr Aour7MNVBOMN IVXNDJFR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4> Hrynm C`npjii
\nrt Vwo
\XJNC@BMDNAVJXV@JIOSSOA NC@BIF
C`nptjr Abvj7S\JCBNIMJJFSC@BIF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Sbx7KBSCNXXBNDJOANM JNX IR-VJXKBMANMV. . .24 Fnm Forbnmb
C`nptjr Sjvjm7 KBSCNXXBNDJOANINVJ-VJXKBMANMV. . . >>2 Go`m \bpjr
C`nptjr Mbmj7CXBHFJNV@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >84 Tbisom Hjmtom
C`nptjr Vjm7 ROZMDC@BIF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >34 Xohjrt S. Xnyhurm
C`nptjr Jijvjm7 COMGOBMJFVTBMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >6: Hoh Ainy`nrt
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
7/53
\nrt V`rjj
\XJNC@BMDAZMJXNISTBV@JS\JCBNIIR
FBAABCZIV CNZSJSOXCBXCZKSVNMCJSC`nptjr Vwjivj7 IBAJSVRIJ COMSJ^ZJMCJS . . . . . . . . . . . . . >:2 Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr V`brtjjm7 FXZMEJMFXBQJX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >14 Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Aourtjjm7 CNMCJX7 IOMD-SZAAJXBMD. . . . . . . . . . . . >4: Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Abatjjm7 KZXFJX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >03 Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Sbxtjjm7NCCBFJMVNIFJNV@ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >02 Xohjrt S. Xnyhurm
C`nptjr Sjvjmtjjm7 MJT\NX JMV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . >24 Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Jbd`tjjm7 S\JCBNIMJJFSNFZIV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8> Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Vwjmty7 CJIJHXBVR7 ZMJP\INBMJFCNZSJS. . . . . . 8>2 Kbej E`nmfgbnm
\nrt Abvj
\XJNC@BMDNAVJXSZBCBFJ
C`nptjr Vwjmty-Omj7 SZBCBFJOAN\NSVOX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 884 Hrynm C`npjii
C`nptjr Vwjmty-Vwo7 SZBCBFJOANC@XBSVBNMIJNFJX. . .86> Tbisom Hjmtom
C`nptjr Vwjmty-V`rjj7 SZBCBFJOANAXBJMF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:3 Kbc`nji @ortom
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
8/53
C`nptjr Vwjmty-Aour7 SZBCBFJNAVJX\NSVOX NISCNMFNI. . .81> Gjrrnk Hnrrs
C`nptjr Vwjmty-Abvj7 SZBCBFJOANVJJM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .812 Djordj Xohjrtsom
Nppjmfbxjs
@JI\SAOX@NMFIBMDVXNDJFBJSNppjmfbx Omj7 Vjxts aor Vrndjfbjs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .844
Nppjmfbx Vwo7 @jips aor Comfuctbmd Aumjrnis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80>
Scrbpturj Bmfjx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .823
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
9/53
J F B V O X S M O V J
MNKJS OA BMFBQBFZNIS nmf occnsbomni spjcbabcs oa tbkj or cbrcuk-
stnmcj nrj c`nmdjf bm sokj pjrsomni nccoumts nppjnrbmd bm t`bs hooe to
rjspjct t`j comcjrms nmf wbs`js oa t`osj bmvoivjf. Ky fjht bs drjnt to t`j
pnstors nmf pjopij w`o s`nrjf t`j rjnibtbjs oa C`rbsts iovj hy t`j tjstbkomy
oa t`jbr ibvjs bm tbkjs oa trndjfy.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
10/53
Bmtrofuctbom
V @ J K J S S N D J O AV @ J C X O S S A O X V @ J
K R S V J X R O A V X N D J F R
T@BIJ SVBII BM KR SJKBMNXR VXNBMBMD, B `nf t`j prbvbijdj oa
hjbmd nsejf to pnstor n sknii rurni c`urc`. V`j opportumbty to prjnc` wjjeiy,
ijnf n comdrjdntbom bm wors`bp, nmf ijnrm t`j ropjs oa hjbmd n kbmbstjr
jxcbtjf kj. B t`oud`t B wns djttbmd n ijd up om ky sjkbmnry pjjrs hy hjbmd
nhij so rjnfbiy to nppiy our t`joiody ijssoms to rjni-ibaj sbtuntboms. Hut B `nf
mo bfjn `ow rjniky rjni-ibaj jxpjrbjmcjs wouif soom hjcokj.
V`j C`niijmdjs oa VrndjfyTbt`bm wjjes oa tnebmd t`j pnstorntj, t`j sjmbor jifjr oa t`j comdrjdntbom
wns suffjmiy nmf umjxpjctjfiy `ospbtnibzjf aor nm nddrjssbvj cnmcjr. B `nf
rnrjiy hjjm bmsbfj n `ospbtni nmf `nf mo bfjn w`nt bt kjnmt to vbsbt t`j sbce,
coumsji t`j fybmd, nmf cokaort t`j ankbiy. Rjt B wns bkkjfbntjiy cniijf om to
fo nii oa t`jsj. V`jm, wbt`bm omiy n ajw fnys, B niso `nf t`j rjspomsbhbibty oa
comfuctbmd t`bs fjnr knms aumjrni.
Vwo fnys hjaorj t`j aumjrni, B p`omjf ky `okbijtbcs proajssor, w`o nisosjrvjf ns prjsbfjmt oa t`j sjkbmnry, nmf nsejf, Fr. Xnyhurm, cnm you tjii kj
w`nt B mjjf to emow to fo n aumjrni? Tj `nvjmt covjrjf aumjrnis bm cinss yjt,
nmf B `nvj to fo omj t`j fny natjr tokorrow. B wbii hj aorjvjr t`nmeaui t`nt
t`j jstjjkjf Fr. Xohjrt D. Xnyhurm fbf mot put kj oaa. Bmstjnf, `j bmvbtjf
kj to `bs `okj aor hrjneanst t`j mjxt kormbmd nmf, ncross t`j ebtc`jm tnhij,
dnvj kj n aumjrni-comfuctbmd ijssom w`osj outibmj B stbii bmciufj bm ky ijc-
turjs to stufjmts n djmjrntbom intjr.
Bm mo sknii kjnsurj, B nmf t`j ot`jr comtrbhutors to t`bs hooe `nvjbmciufjf our sjrkoms fjibvjrjf furbmd tbkjs oa trndjfy bm orfjr to nbf pns-
tors w`o nvj mot nf t`j prbvbijdj oa suc` nm ncross-t`j-ebtc`jm-tnhij ijssom
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
11/53
>8 V@J@NXFJSV SJXKOMSROZIIJQJX@NQJVO\XJNC@
arok Fr. Xnyhurm. Jnc` oa us `ns mjjfjf to prjpnrj sjrkoms bm t`j ancj oa
trndjfbjs, nmf wj emow t`j nmxbjty oa trybmd to sny npproprbntj t`bmds arok
Dofs Torf t`nt wbii cokaort nmf strjmdt`jm Dofs pjopij w`jm jkotbomsnmf anbt` nrj strjtc`jf t`bm. Tj prny t`nt t`jsj kjssndjs wbii provbfj bfjns
nmf nppronc`js to `jip ot`jr pnstors om t`jbr pnt` oa prjpnrntbom aor sokj oa
t`j `nrfjst sjrkoms t`jy wbii jvjr prjnc`.
N V`joiody aor VrndjfyBm nffbtbom to oaajrbmd suddjstboms aor nppronc`bmd fbaajrjmt ebmfs oa trndjfy,
t`jsj sjrkoms provbfj bmsbd`t bmto `ow to `nmfij t`j t`joiodbcni c`niijmdjs
oa `uknm suaajrbmd. Jnc` oa t`j pnstors bm t`bs voiukj `ns n Xjaorkjf t`jo-iodbcni pjrspjctbvj, hjibjvbmd bm t`j sovjrjbdm comtroi oa Dof ovjr nii t`bmds.
Tj cnm rjcbtj wbt` jmt`usbnsk nmf comvbctbom t`j Xjaorkntbom prbmcbpij t`nt
Dof wntc`js ovjr kj bm suc` n wny t`nt mot n `nbr cnm anii arok ky `jnf
npnrt arok `bs wbii (@jbfjihjrd Cntjc`bsk Nmswjr >). Tj niso hjibjvj bm
Dofs kost `oiy, wbsj, nmf powjraui prjsjrvbmd nmf dovjrmbmd nii `bs crjn-
turjs nmf nii t`jbr nctboms (Tjstkbmstjr S`ortjr Cntjc`bsk Nmswjr >>). Tj
hjibjvj t`jsj fjcinrntboms oa Dofs sovjrjbdm comtroi oa nii t`bmds hjcnusj
Gjsus fjcinrjf t`j snkj7 Nrj mot two spnrrows soif aor n pjmmy? Rjt mot omjoa t`jk wbii anii to t`j droumf outsbfj your Ant`jrs cnrj. Nmf jvjm t`j vjry
`nbrs oa your `jnf nrj nii mukhjrjf (Kntt`jw >1 >4)5 nmf `j sustnbms nii t`bmds hy t`j worf oa `bs powjr
(@jhrjws >73). Mot`bmd jxbsts or occurs npnrt arok `bs wbii. Nii oa t`jsj naabr-
kntboms oa our `jnvjmiy Ant`jrs comtroi oa nii t`bmds cokaort us umtbi trndjfy
cokjs. V`jm t`j trndjfy hjcokjs t`j rjnsom hj`bmf bmjscnpnhij qujstboms
nmf aor sokj anbt`-nitjrbmd nccusntboms7 Ba Dof bs bm comtroi, t`jm w`yfbf t`bs `nppjm? @ow couif n iovbmd Dof niiow suc` t`bmds, kuc` ijss bmciufj
t`jk bm bs wbii aor us? N youmd pnstor w o nf gust wjicokjf n sjcomf sjvjrjiy
fbsnhijf c`bif bmto t`bs worif wjpt bm ky nrks w`bij ohgjctbmd, B wouif mot fo
suc` cruji t`bmds to ky c`bif5 so w`y fojs ky jnvjmiy Ant`jr fo t`jk to kj?
V`joiodbnms wbii try to nmswjr suc` qujstboms wbt` fbstbmctboms hjtwjjm
Dofs fjcrjtbvj nmf pjrkbssbvj wbii. Stbii, t`j spbrbtuni cokpijxbtbjs nmf
`uknm comstjrmntbom t`nt nccokpnmy nmy jxpinmntbom oa Dofs sovjrjbdmty
bm niit`bmds uitbkntjiy outstrbp our t`joiody. Our iodbc rjnc`js n fjnf jmfhjyomf w`bc` our `jnrts cnmmot do, ba t`j pnbm nmf suaajrbmd oa t`bs worif nrj
Dofs fobmd. Rjs, wj cnm (nmf s`ouif) qubceiy rjtrjnt to t`j jxpinmntbom t`nt
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
12/53
BMVXOFZCVBOM >3
t`j trndjfbjs wj ancj nrj n profuct oa t`j aniijm worif our `uknm prjfjcjs-
sors twbstjf bmto our prjsjmt rjnibty. Hut suc` nm jxpinmntbom fojs mot jnsbiy
wbt`stnmf t`j hinst oa uknm ohgjctbom arok Dofs owm fjcinrntbom7 B hrbmdprospjrbty nmf crjntj fbsnstjr5 B, t`j I, fo nii t`jsj t`bmds (Bsnbn` 6:74).
T`jt`jr Dof nctbvjiy crjntjs fbsnstjrs or niiows t`j aorcjs oa jvbi t`nt
`j couifstop, wj jxpjct sokjt`bmd fbaajrjmt arok Omj w`o cniis `bksjia our
Ant`jr. Ba Dof crjntjs fbsnstjrs, t`jm `bs iovj bs nt hjst n kystjry nmf nt worst
n c`nrnfj. Ba `j niiows t`j jvbi `j couif stop, t`jm `j rjknbms nccoumtnhij aor
t`j fnkndj bm bts wnej. Tj kbd`t, oa coursj, suddjst t`nt t`j omiy fbsnstjrs
t`nt Dof crjntjs or niiows nrj t`osj t`nt hjanii `bs jmjkbjs. Ba t`bs wjrj truj,
wj couif jxcusj jnrt` s cninkbtbjs ns hjbmd n fbkjmsbom oa fbvbmj gustbcj.Bmfjjf, t`j Hbhij comtjmfs t`nt Dof pumbs`js `bs jmjkbjs wbt` cntnstrop`j
(Bsnbn` 647>>). Hut t`j Hbhij niso rjkbmfs us t`nt hnf t`bmds `nppjm to doof
pjopij (Jccijsbnstjs 27> 3).
V`j Kystjry oa VrndjfyBm orfjr aor t`j `uknm `jnrt to knbmtnbm iovj aor n sovjrjbdm Dof, anbt` kust
naabrk w`nt bt cnmmot provj7 Bm nii t`bmds Dof wores aor t`j doof oa t`osj
w`o iovj bk, w`o `nvj hjjm cniijf nccorfbmd to bs purposj (Xoknms 0780).Tj kust hjibjvj t`nt Dof `ns n doof purposj aor t`j nwaui t`bmds t`nt occur
to us. Gust ns n strnbd`t ibmj cnm hj frnwm wbt` n crooejf stbce, hbhibcni anbt`
rjqubrjs t`j comabfjmcj t`nt wbcejf nmf trndbc cbrcukstnmcjs cnm hj turmjf
to iovbmd purposjs hy Dof aor `bs pjopij. Suc` comciusboms nrj frnwm bm t`j
jnribjst pndjs oa Scrbpturj. Gosjp` snys to `bs hrot`jrs nhout t`jbr snij oa `bk
bmto sinvjry (w`jm t`jy couif mot emow t`nt `bs prjsjmcj bm Jdypt wouif
uitbkntjiy rjsuit bm t`jbr ankbiys rjscuj arok ankbmj), Rou bmtjmfjf to `nrk
kj, hut Dof bmtjmfjf bt aor doof (Djmjsbs :
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
13/53
ijnfjrs`bp rjspomsbhbibtbjs bm t`j auturj, cnst kj bmto t`j fjjp jmf oa t`j
jccijsbnstbcni pooi so t`nt B wouif `nvj to ijnrm `ow to swbk t`j trust stroej
jnriy. \jr nps t`j jifjr wouif `nvj rjsjmtjf ky jmcronc`kjmt om `bs ijnfjr-s`bp nmf wouif `nvj tnejm nctbom to fbscourndj kj arok comtbmubmd bm kbm-
bstry. \jr`nps t`j Iorf mjjfjf kj to sbt ncross t`j ebtc`jm tnhij to `jnr t`j
ijssom arok Fr. Xnyhurm t`nt B wouif tjnc` to n djmjrntbom oa stufjmts nmf
t`j rjnfjrs oa t`bs hooe. \jr`nps, pjr`nps, pjr`nps . . . V`oud` nii oa t`jsj
rjnsoms nrj possbhij, momj oa t`jk sjjks suaabcbjmt aor tnebmd n knms ibaj,
drbjvbmd bs ankbiy, nmf crbppibmd bs c`urc`. Ba B wjrj to hnsj ky trust bm Dof
om ky spjcuintboms nhout w`nt doof kny `nvj rjsuitjf arok t`bs trndjfy,
t`jm ky anbt` wouif qubceiy crukhij.
V`j Kjssndj oa t`j CrossSo ba anbt` bm t`j uitbkntj doofmjss oa Dof fojs mot cokj arok dujssbmd
w`nt `bs doof purposjs kny hj, arok w`jrj fojs bt cokj? V`j nmswjr arok
hjibjvjrs t`roud` t`j ndjs, nmf arok t`j nut`ors oa t`j kjssndjs bm t`bs hooe,
bs t`j cross. Tj trust our sovjrjbdm Dof hjcnusj `j `ns s`owm us `bs `jnrt nt
t`j cross. V`jrj, w`jrj nmy omj oa us wouif `nvj stoof nmf crbjf out, V`bs
bs wromd5 Dof, you kust stop t`bs, our Snvbor knfj `jnvjms drjntjst doofcokj out oa jnrt`s worst trndjfy. Nt t`j cross wj ijnrm t`nt Dof bs doof nmf
cnm hj trustjf, jvjm w`jm jvjryt`bmd sjjks wromd to `uknm sbd`t.
Ns B wns pnstorbmd t`j rurni c`urc` nttjmfjf hy anrkjrs nmf coni kbmjrs
pjopij nccustokjf to nrf ibvjs B jnrf n story t`nt tnud`t kj korj nhout t`j
mnturj nmf aoumfntbom oa truj anbt` t`nm B `nf dnbmjf bm kuc` oa ky sjkbmnry
jfucntbom. V`j story tjiis oa n kbmjr w`o, t`oud` n stniwnrt hjibjvjr, wns bmgurjf
nt n youmd ndj. @j hjcnkj nm bmvnibf. Ovjr t`j yjnrs j wntc`jf t`roud` n wbm-
fow mjnr `bs hjf ns ibaj pnssjf `bk hy. @j wntc`jf ajiiow worejrs knrry, rnbsjankbibjs, nmf nvj drnmfc`bifrjm. @j wntc`jf t`j cokpnmy j nf sjrvjf t`rbvj
wbt`out nttjkptbmd to knej nfjquntj provbsbom aor `bs ioss. @j wntc`jf ns `bs
hofy wbt`jrjf, `bs `ousj crukhijf, nmf `opj aor hjttjr t`bmds bm t`bs ibaj fbjf.
V`jm, omj fny w`jm t`j hjfrbffjm kbmjr wns qubtj oif, n youmdjr knm
cnkj to vbsbt `bk. B `jnr t`nt you hjibjvj bm Dof nmf cinbk t`nt `j iovjs
you, snbf t`j youmd knm. @ow cnm you hjibjvj suc` t`bmds natjr nii t`nt `ns
`nppjmjf to you?
V`j oif knm `jsbtntjf nmf t`jm skbijf. @j snbf, Rjs, t`jrj nrj fnys oafouht. Sokjtbkjs Sntnm cokjs cniibmd om kj bm t`bs aniijm-fowm oif ousj oa
kbmj. @j sbts rbd`t t`jrj hy ky hjf, w`jrj you nrj sbttbmd mow. @j pobmts out
>6 V@J@NXFJSVSJXKOMSROZIIJQJX@NQJVO\XJNC@
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
14/53
ky wbmfow to t`j kjm B omcj worejf wbt` w`osj hofbjs nrj stbii stromd, nmf
Sntnm nses, Fojs Gjsus iovj you? V`jm, Sntnm knejs kj iooe nt ky tnttjrjf
rook ns `j pobmts to t`j abmj `okjs oa ky arbjmfs nmf nses ndnbm, Fojs Gjsusiovj you? Abmniiy, Sntnm pobmts to t`j drnmfc`bif oa n arbjmf oa kbmj n knm
w`o `ns jvjryt`bmd B fo mot nmf Sntnm wnbts aor t`j tjnr bm ky jyj hjaorj
`j w`bspjrs bm ky jnr, Fojs Gjsus rjniiy iovj you?
Stnrtijf hy t`j cnmfor oa t`j oif knms rjspomsjs, t`j youmdjr knm nsejf,
Nmf w`nt fo you sny w`jm Sntnm spjnes to you t`nt wny?
Snbf t`j oif kbmjr, B tnej Sntnm hy t`j `nmf, nmf B ijnf `bk to n `bii anr
nwny cniijf Cnivnry. V`jrj B pobmt to t`j mnbi-pbjrcjf `nmfs, t`j t`orm-torm
hrow, nmf t`j spjnr-pbjrcjf sbfj. V`jm B sny to Sntnm, Fojsmt Gjsus iovj kj! V`j cross oa C`rbst bs t`j wnrrnmt aor comabfjmcj bm Dofs prokbsjs oa
uitbkntj doof, fjspbtj drjnt `jnrtnc`j. Gjsus ndomy fbf mot bmfbcntj t`nt
Dof anbijf, or t`nt t`j anbt` oa t`j omj w`o fbjf wns wjne. V`j suaajrbmd
cnusjf nmf bmaibctjf hy jvbi (\snik 887>1) stbii wns wbt`bm Dofs wbii (Ncts
8783) nmf sjrvjf n purposj so iovbmd, so powjraui, nmf so doof t`nt our jtjr-
mbty c`nmdjf ns n rjsuit (Bsnbn` :376, >5 Xjvjintbom >370).
V`roud` Gjsus rjsurrjctbom, wj ijnrm t`nt our Dof `ns powjr ovjr jvbi,
hut t`roud` t`j cross `j dnbms powjr ovjr our `jnrts. V`oud` t`j `uknmkbmf wbii rjnc` bts arnyjf jmf trybmd to rjcomcbij jnrt`s trndjfbjs wbt` Dofs
doofmjss, t`j `jnrt rjknbms houmf to Dof, emowbmd t`nt t`j provbfjr oa
t`j cross cnm kjnm mo bii. Knebmd kuc` oa t`j hioof bs mjbt`jr knufibm mor
knmbpuintbvj5 rnt`jr, t`j sncrbabcj oa C`rbst bs t`j `jnrts uitbkntj soincj bm
tbkjs oa drjntjst pnbm.
T`jm wj rjkjkhjr t`j cross, our anbt` bm Dofs sovjrjbdm purposjs
strjmdt`jms nmf cokaorts our `jnrts, t`oud` trndjfy cokjs nmf `uknm
nmswjrs anbi. Mo ijss n anbt` stniwnrt t`nm Go`m Stott ncemowijfdjs t`jbkport7 B couif mjvjr kysjia hjibjvj bm Dof, ba bt wjrj mot aor t`j cross.>
V`j pnstors w`o nvj wrbttjm t`j kjssndjs bm t`bs hooe jkhrncj t`jsj trut`s,
ncemowijfdbmd oatjm t`j kystjrbjs oa t`j sovjrjbdmty oa Dof bm t`j ancj oa
trndjfy, hut naa brkbmd wbt` drjntjr arjqujmcy t`j mjcjssbty oa comabfjmcj t`nt
`bs jyj fojs mot hibme nmf `bs `nmf fojs mot anbi.
Ba our Dof `ns iost comtroi or mjvjr possjssjf bt, t`jm wj nrj nt t`j kjrcy
oa t`j coskbc fbcj oa antj. V`j Hbhij tjiis n fbaajrjmt story, bmsbstbmd t`nt t`j
Iorf rbfjs om t`j storks to fjibvjr bs pjopij arok t`bs prjsjmt jvbi worif nmf
>. Go`m X.T. Stott, V`j Cross oa C`rbst(Fowmjrs Drovj, Bii.7 BmtjrQnrsbty, 8
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
15/53
to sjcurj us aor t`j mjxt (\snik 1076, 33). Tj trust `bk, mot hjcnusj wj cnm
jxpinbm our cbrcukstnmcjs, hut hjcnusj our Dof `ns rjvjnijf `bs c`nrnctjr nt
t`j cross. V`j Omj w`o s`jf `bs hioof aor us cnm hj trustjf to iovj us5 t`jOmj w`o dnvj `bs ibaj aor us cnm hj trustjf to provbfj w`nt bs hjst aor us5 nmf
t`j Omj w`o purposjf nii t`bs hjaorj t`j aoumfntboms oa t`j jnrt` wjrj inbf
cnm hj trustjf to fbrjct our pnt`s to diory.
S`jjp trust t`j s`jp`jrf w`ok t`jy `nvj ijnrmjf bs doof, nmf wj trust
our Doof S`jp`jrf hjcnusj `j `ns inbf fowm `bs ibaj aor us. V`j sebiiaui
s`jp`jrfs oa t`bs voiukj aurt`jr t`bs trust hy tnebmd us oatjm to t`j pincj
w`jrj t`j Doof S`jp`jrf snvjf us, so t`nt wj wbii trust `bk to cnrry us w`jm
t`j fnremjss bs too drjnt to sjj our wny or fbscjrm `bs.
>1 V@J@NXFJSV SJXKOMSROZIIJQJX@NQJVO\XJNC@
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
16/53
\nrt Omj
\X J N C @ B M DB M XJ S \ O M S J V OVX N D J F R
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
17/53
C`nptjr Omj
N H O X V B O M
SBVZNVBOM
V`j aoiiowbmd kjssndj wns orbdbmniiy fjibvjrjf to n conibtbom oa rjibdbous, voi-
umtjjr, nmf poibtbcni ordnmbzntboms bm n rjdbomni dnt`jrbmd om t`j t`brty-abat`
nmmbvjrsnry oa t`j >243 Xoj v. Tnfj Suprjkj Court fjcbsbom t`nt niiowjf
nhortbom om fjknmf bm t`j Zmbtjf Stntjs.
COMCJXMS
Ky c`urc` bs omj oa knmy jvnmdjibcni hofbjs t`nt `nvj soud`t to bmaork btskjkhjrs nmf our cokkumbty oa t`j Hbhijs fjajmsj oa t`j snmctbty oa `uknm
ibaj nt nii bts stndjs. V`j dnt`jrbmd aor w`bc` t`bs kjssndj wns prjpnrjf
bmciufjf pjopij oa vnrbous rjibdbous hncedroumfs, poibtbcni naabibntboms, nmf
voiumtjjr ordnmbzntboms w`o bfjmtba bjf t`jksjivjs wbt` t`j pro-ibaj kovj-
kjmt. B wnmtjf to sny cijnriy w`nt ky hbhibcni comvbctboms wjrj, hut nt t`j
snkj tbkj to fbaajrjmtbntj t`osj comvbctboms arok poibtbcni ndjmfns or sjcuinr
prborbtbjs. Aor nikost n djmjrntbom t`j vobcj oa t`j poibtbcni rbd`t `ns oatjm
conijscjf wbt` jvnmdjibcni prborbtbjs, knebmd bt fbaabcuit aor knmy to sjpnrntjrjibdbous comvbctbom arok poibtbcni ndjmfns nmf fbaabcuit aor sokj to stnmf
aor t`j snmctbty oa ibaj wbt`out t`j sjmsj oa nvbmd to nibdm wbt` poibtbcni jmtb-
tbjs. Vo jmcourndj nii to tnej n arjs` stnmf aor ibaj om t`j hnsbs oa trnmscjmfjmt
prbmcbpijs, B wnmtjf to fjkomstrntj t`nt ky comvbctboms nrj hbhibcni nmf korj
rjaijct ohibdntboms to Dof t`nm to nmy poibtbcni pnrty or pjrsom.
Sbmcj t`j dnt`jrbmd bmciufjf t`osj w`o wjrj vjry nctbvj bm pro-ibaj rjib-
dbous nmf poibtbcni cnusjs pjrsoms wjnry arok ince oa succjss natjr korj
t`nm t`rjj fjcnfjs oa jmfjnvor B ajit t`j funi ohibdntbom oa rjbmspbrbmd t`jkbm t`j cnusj oa fjajmfbmd t`j umhorm nmf tjkpjrbmd t`j arustrntbom t`nt oatjm
ijf to fjkombzbmd oppomjmts or ot`jrs w`o nrj ijss zjnious. Bm pnrtbcuinr, B
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
18/53
8< \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
wnmtjf to knej surj t`nt nmtb-nhortbom zjni fbf mot ohscurj t`j drncj oa t`j
dospji aor t`osj dubity oa prokotbmd or pnrtbcbpntbmd bm nhortbom. V`bs wns mot
sbkpiy to `omor t`j oif knxbk nhout `ntbmd n sbm hut iovbmd t`j sbmmjr, hutniso to knbmtnbm t`j crjfbhbibty oa t`j pro-ibaj cnusj. T`jm vobcjs hjcokj so
s`rbii bm n rbd`tjous cnusj t`nt t`jy nrj bmfbstbmdubs`nhij arok t`j soumfs oa
`ntrjf, t`jm t`j rbd`tjousmjss nfvocntjf djts iost bm t`j fbm oa r`jtorbc. V`j
dospji `ns t`j powjr to pjrsunfj w`jm our kjssndj nmf knmmjr procinbk bts
trut`. Ky comcjrms wjrj to knej t`j Hbhijs ohgjctbom to nhortbom cijnr nmf
to knej t`j dospji oa Gjsus C`rbst jquniiy cijnr.
N\\XONC@Vo jkp`nsbzj t`nt ky bmtjmtbom wns to hj n rjprjsjmtntbvj oa t`j dospji, B
c`osj to hnsj ky worfs om n hbhibcni tjxt nmf to stntj t`nt B wns fobmd so
hjcnusj B wns spjnebmd prbknrbiy ns n C`rbstbnm nmf ns n rjprjsjmtntbvj oa t`j
c`urc`. Bm t`bs nppronc` B wns rjaijctbmd ijssoms ijnrmjf hy wntc`bmd Hbiiy
Drn`nk ns `j oatjm nffrjssjf sjcuinr dnt`jrbmds hy bmtrofucbmd `bksjia ns
n C`rbstbnm w`o mjjfjf to spjne to t`j C`rbstbnms prjsjmt w`bij `opbmd t`nt
ot`jrs wouif mot kbmf ibstjmbmd bm. Hy bfjmtbaybmd hot` `bs posbtbom nmf `bs
nufbjmcj, Drn`nk wns nhij to spjne wbt` drjnt arjjfok nmf wbt`out oaajmsj
to vjry fbvjrsj nufbjmcjs.
B c`osj to spjne om n pnssndj oa Scrbpturj t`nt spjcbabjs t`j vniuj oa ibaj
bm t`j wokh. B soud`t to hj `omjst nhout t`j arustrntboms nmf fbsndrjjkjmts
jxpjrbjmcjf hy t`osj bm t`j pro-ibaj kovjkjmt nmf to usj t`j nut`orbty oa
Scrbpturj to sny w`nt t`j c`urc` kust momjt`jijss tjnc` nhout t`j vniuj oa nii
ibaj. Hy umfjrscorbmd t`j vniuj oa nii ibaj, B crjntjf n hrbfdj to t`j rjspomsb-
hbibty t`nt t`osj bm t`j pro-ibaj kovjkjmt `nvj to vniuj t`osj w`o nrj dubity
oa nhortbom. Gust ns mot auiiy aorkjf ibaj bs vniunhij to Dof, so niso nrj
t`j `jnrts oa t`osj mot auiiy rbd`tjous hjaorj `bk. Ky `opj wns to rjbmspbrj
comcjrm aor t`j umhorm wbt` `jnrts t`nt wjrj cokkbttjf to t`j auii scopj oa
dospji prborbtbjs.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
19/53
V@JKJSSNDJ
DOF SEMBVVBMDNm Nffrjss to t`j Kbssourb \ro-Ibaj Cokkumbty
bm Hj`nia oa t`j \rjdmnmcy Xjsourcj Cjmtjr
Hrynm C`npjii
>>Ba B sny, Surjiy t`j fnremjss wbii `bfj kj
nmf t`j ibd`t hjcokj mbd`t nroumf kj,>8jvjm t`j fnremjss wbii mot hj fnre to you5
t`j mbd`t wbii s`bmj ibej t`j fny,
aor fnremjss bs ns ibd`t to you.
>3Aor you crjntjf ky bmkost hjbmd5
you embt kj todjt`jr bm ky kot`jrs wokh.>6B prnbsj you hjcnusj B nk ajnrauiiy nmf womfjrauiiy knfj5
your wores nrj womfjraui,
B emow t`nt auii wjii.>:Ky arnkj wns mot `bffjm arok you
w`jm B wns knfj bm t`j sjcrjt pincj,
w`jm B wns wovjm todjt`jr bm t`j fjpt`s oa t`j jnrt`.>1Rour jyjs snw ky umaorkjf hofy5
nii t`j fnys orfnbmjf aor kj wjrj wrbttjm bm your hooe
hjaorj omj oa t`jk cnkj to hj.
\snik >327>> >1
\rjibkbmnry XjknresB wnmt to t`nme our iocni \rjdmnmcy Xjsourcj Cjmtjr aor t`j opportumbty to
spjne to you bm hj`nia oa t`j pro-ibaj comcjrms t`nt kotbvntj so knmy oa us to
hj `jrj. T`jm wj umbtj nroumf t`j cnusj oa t`j umhorm, wj cokj arok knmyfbaajrjmt c`urc`js, ordnmbzntboms, nmf pjrspjctbvjs nmf wbt` vnrybmd com-
trbhutboms to knej townrf t`bs vbtni cnusj. Vombd`t B wnmt to cokj to you ns
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
20/53
88 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
w`nt B nk, n rjprjsjmtntbvj oa t`j c`urc`, nmf to tnie to you nhout t`j roij oa
t`j c`urc` bm t`bs cnusj. Bm fobmd so, B fo mot wnmt to kbmbkbzj or fbkbmbs`
t`j bkportnmcj oa t`j roijs t`nt ot`jrs `nvj, hut rnt`jr to ncemowijfdj kybmnfjquncy bm tjiibmd you w`nt s`ouif `nppjm bm your ordnmbzntboms or poibtb-
cni structurjs or bmfbvbfuni jaaorts to cokhnt nhortbom. B nk comcjrmjf to sny
w`nt t`j c`urc` s`ouif sny nmf fo, hjcnusj t`nt bs t`j nrjmn bm w`bc` B sjrvj
nmf aor w`bc` B nk rjspomsbhij to fjtjrkbmj ba ky nctboms nrj ns fbibdjmt,
rjspomsbhij, nmf cnrbmd ns ky Dof rjqubrjs. Aor t`osj oa you w`osj pro-ibaj
comcjrms jvjm pnrtbniiy bmvoivj c`urc` kbmbstry, nmf B wouif dujss t`nt bs
kost oa us, B wouif bmvbtj you to ibstjm to sjj ba w`nt B hjibjvj Dof rjqubrjs bs
hjbmd rjaijctjf bm kj, bm your c`urc`, nmf bm you.Bm t`j c`urc` our pro-ibaj comcjrm kust hj hnsjf om n `bd`jr nut`orbty
t`nm pjrsomni prjajrjmcj or jvjm prbmcbpijf comcjrm aor ot`jrs. Aor t`bs rjnsom
wj iooe to Scrbpturj suc` ns \snik >327>> >1, nmf nse Dof to dbvj us umfjr-
stnmfbmd hy prnybmd todjt`jr. \ijnsj prny wbt` kj mow. UNatjr n hrbja prnyjr,
t`j kjssndj hjdnm ns bmfbcntjf hjiow.[
Bmtrofuctbom
Embt omj, puri two. Embt omj, puri two . . . V`bs bs t`j trnfbtbomni c`nmt oajxpjctnmt kot`jr oof. Bm our cuiturj bt bs yjt n cnrbcnturj t`nt w`jm n kot`jr
bs prjpnrbmd aor n mjw hnhy, s`j tnejs up embttbmd. V`jrj bs n pbcturj bm t`bs
psnik t`nt bs womfjrauiiy rjintjf. Aor w`bij t`j kot`jr kny hj embttbmd aor
t`j c`bif bm t`j wokh, t`j Hbhij snys t`nt Dof bs nctuniiy embttbmd t`j c`bif
bm t`j wokh. V`j bkndj oa suc` tjmfjr fnrj B sny, kntjrmni cnrj hjbmd
jxprjssjf hy Dof aor t`j c`bif bm t`j wokh snys kuc` nhout our umfjrstnmf-
bmd oa t`j bmmntj vniuj nmf pjrsom`oof oa t`j umhorm c`bif. Hut ns hjnutbaui
ns t`bs bkndj bs, t`j suhgjct t`nt B kust nffrjss tofny rjknbms fbaabcuit.V`jrj nrj n mukhjr oa rjnsoms aor t`j fbaabcuity. Abrst bs t`j nppnrjmt
cokpijxbty oa t`j bssuj oa nhortbom ns bt `ns hjjm nrdujf aor t`j inst sjvjrni
fjcnfjs. B `nvj hjjm prjnc`bmd aor korj t`nm t`brty yjnrs, nmf ns B rjvbjwjf
t`j rbd`t-to-ibaj sjrkoms B `nvj prjnc`jf ovjr t`bs pjrbof, B wns nstoumfjf nt
t`j rnmdj oa bssujs wj nvj nf to comsbfjr bm t`j nhortbom wnrs oa t`bs mntbom.
Hnttijs `nvj rndjf ovjr suc` t`bmds ns7
w`nt Kjfbcnrj wbii or wbii mot provbfj5 w`nt t`j kbibtnry wbii or wbii
mot provbfj5 w`nt aorjbdm nbf s`ouif or s`ouif mot provbfj. w`nt sc`oois cnm or cnmmot sny5 w`nt coumsjibmd cibmbcs cnm or cnmmot
sny5 w`nt pnrjmts cnm or cnmmot emow.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
21/53
NHOXVBOM 83
nt w`nt tjrk nm nhortbom cnm hj pjraorkjf5 w`nt tjc`mbqujs cnm hj
usjf5 w`nt rjsjnrc` cnm hj niiowjf5 w`nt tbssuj cnm hj usjf.
w`nt motbabcntbom kny hj niiowjf5 w`nt bmaorkntbom kny hj rjqubrjf5w`nt fjiny kny hj rjqubrjf5 w`nt pbcturjs cnm hj s`owm.
w`nt fjdrjj oa fnmdjr to n kot`jrs jnit` wnrrnmts nhortbom5 w`nt
fjdrjj oa fnkndj to nm bmanmts w`oijmjss gustbabjs nhortbom.
w`nt protjst strntjdy to usj5 w`nt pbcejt fbstnmcj to ejjp5 w`nt sbdms
to `oif5 w`nt inmdundj to usj5 w`nt knrc`js to gobm.
w`jt`jr to niiow cbvbi fbsohjfbjmcj5 w`jt`jr to do to prbsom aor our
comvbctboms5 w`jt`jr to ebii ot`jrs aor our comvbctboms.
w`nt ijdbsintbom to support5 w`nt ndjmcbjs to nbf5 w`nt co-hjiibdjrjmts
to gobm5 w`nt nkjmfkjmts to nfvocntj5 w`nt cnmfbfntjs to jijct5 w`nt
cokkjrcbnis to nbr.
w`bc` kot`jrs to s`jitjr5 `ow, bm nm jt`bcni wny, to bmvbtj t`jk to
suc` s`jitjr or to coumsji.
w`nt bmanmts to nfopt5 w`jrj to djt t`jk5 `ow to nfvjrtbsj t`jbr
nvnbinhbibty.
w`jt`jr to iohhy aor w`nt bs wbmmnhij wbt` n iomd-tjrk pinm aor bmcrj-
kjmtni prodrjss5 w`jt`jr mjvjr to cokprokbsj nmf nccjpt omiy n totni
hnm om nhortbom. w`jt`jr to sjcjfj arok t`j poibtbcni procjss or n pnrtbcuinr pnrty5 `ow
to votj or w`jt`jr to rjvoit.
Sokj oa t`jsj hnttijs `nvj hjjm aoud`t hjtwjjm C`rbstbnms nmf t`j sjcu-
inr worif5 sokj `nvj hjjm aoud`t hjtwjjm C`rbstbnms nmf ot`jr C`rbstbnms
oa vnrybmd pjrspjctbvjs. Rjt, fjspbtj nii t`j hnttijs, nhortbom comtbmujs, nmf
B ajnr our comcjrm rjdnrfbmd bt bs ainddbmd. B kny hj wromd, hut ky sjmsj bs
t`nt t`j pro-ibaj aorcjs bm t`j c`urc` nrj mjnriy spjmt. Knyhj you sjmsj sokj
oa t`j rjnsom aor t`bs jx`nustbom ns you jxnkbmj your owm rjnctbom to t`j ibst
B gust rjnf. Ky dujss bs t`nt w`bij you wjrj bmbtbniiy nttjmtbvj, you jvjmtuniiy
dot horjf wbt` t`j ibst oa nii t`j bssujs nmf bt omiy tooe nhout two kbmutjs
to rjnf, mot t`brty-abvj yjnrs to siod t`roud`.
Hjyomf t`j sbkpij ibkbt oa our nttjmtbom spnms t`jrj bs n cjrtnbm ince oa
rjwnrf bm hjbmd comcjrmjf nhout t`bs bssuj. V`j ibmjs oa fbsputj nrj wjii
jmtrjmc`jf. V`j socbjty bs fjjpiy fbvbfjf. V`j wnrrbors oa hot` sbfjs nrj hnttij
`nrfjmjf. V`j nvjrndj pjrsom bs tbrjf oa bt nii, nmf t`jrj fojsmt sjjk to hj
kuc` prohnhbibty oa c`nmdj om t`j `orbzom. Vo wnfj bmto t`j hnttij bs omiy toopjm yoursjia up to pnbm. \nstors nmf ot`jr c`urc` ijnfjrs emow t`nt w`jm bt
cokjs to nffrjssbmd nhortbom, you wbii bmjvbtnhiy hj nttncejf, jbt`jr aor snybmd
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
22/53
86 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
too kuc` or aor mot snybmd jmoud`, aor tniebmd to cjrtnbm pjopij or mot nttjmfbmd
cjrtnbm kjjtbmds fjjkjf bkportnmt aor you. Rou wbii hj cniijf nm bmsjmsbtbvj
anscbst hy pro-c`obcj nfvocntjs bm t`j c`urc`, w`o hjibjvj t`nt nmy kjssndjndnbmst nhortbom s`ows bmsjmsbtbvbty to wokjm nmf fbsnfvnmtndjf c`bifrjm. Nt
t`j snkj tbkj, you wbii hj inhjijf n ibhjrni cownrf hy rbd`t-to-ibaj propo-
mjmts bm t`j c`urc`, w`o wbii sny t`nt your intjst worfs nmf jaaorts wjrj mot
stromd jmoud`, arjqujmt jmoud`, or puhibc jmoud`. V`j rjsuit bs t`nt pnstors
nmf sjssboms nrj sbkpiy tbrjf oa hjbmd prjssurjf, yjiijf nt, dubit-trbppjf, nmf
outknmjuvjrjf hy pnrbs`bomjrs wbt` nm nhortbom ndjmfn, w`ntjvjr bt kny hj.
Tj gust djt tbrjf oa bt nii. V`j sjkbmnry B sjrvj kny hj n cnsj bm pobmt. Aor
w`bij rjknrenhij jaaorts `nvj hjjm knfj hy our proajssors w`o `nvj wrbt-
tjm hooes nmf nrtbcijs, ijf knrc`js, gobmjf pbcejts, `jipjf wrbtj ijdni hrbjas,
nmf jvjm crossjf `bstorbc anbt` trnfbtbom houmfnrbjs to gobm wbt` ancuity nmf
stufjmts oa sbstjr bmstbtutboms to knre t`j trnvjsty oa Xoj v. Tnfj ky sjmsj
bs t`nt wj fo mot spjne or prny or t`bme or inhor nhout t`j bssuj ns kuc` ns wj
omcj fbf. Voo knmy yjnrs oa trybmd cnm wjnr fowm t`j hjst bmtjmtboms, jspj-
cbniiy nt nm bmstbtutbom t`nt trbjs to rjaijct t`j c`nrnctjr oa C`rbst nmf sjmsjs
t`nt to spjne comsbstjmtiy ndnbmst nhortbom bs to cnusj us to hj bfjmtbabjf wbt`
ot`jr vobcjs wbt` w`bc` wj nrj umcokaortnhij vobcjs oatjm s`rbii, `ntjaui,
nmf comtjkptuous, jvjm oa ajiiow hjibjvjrs.
Bt bs gust mot vjry pijnsnmt to spjne nhout nhortbom. So w`y hot`jr? V`j
kost cokpjiibmd rjnsom struce kj vbvbfiy ns B prjpnrjf n sjrkom to nffrjss
nmot`jr nmmbvjrsnry oa Xoj v. Tnfj. Bm rjvbjwbmd knmy yjnrs wort` oa ky
owm sjrkoms om t`j nhortbom topbc, w`nt cnud`t ky jyj nmf ndnbm cnpturjf ky
`jnrt wns mot t`j fjhntnhij bssujs hut t`j drowbmd mukhjrs t`nt B `nvj usjf
bm t`osj sjrkoms ovjr t`j yjnrs7 1 kbiibom, 0 kbiibom, 2 kbiibom, >1 kbiibom,
88 kbiibom, 84 kbiibom, 38 kbiibom, 3: kbiibom, 34 kbiibom nmf coumtbmd t`j
mukhjr oa umhorm c`bifrjm w`osj ibvjs `nvj hjjm jmfjf hy nhortbom.Ky abatjjm-yjnr-oif som, w`jm B toif `bk t`nt abdurj, sbkpiy snbf, Fnf,
t`nt bs abatjjm cbtbjs t`j sbzj oa St. Ioubs! V`bme oa t`nt ns you iooe nroumf
you nmf ns you frbvj `okj. V`j ioss oa ibaj to nhortbom bs t`j jqubvnijmt oa
jvjryomj nroumf you hjbmd jxtjrkbmntjf, nmf a batjjm tbkjs korj. V`j kndmb-
tufj oa t`bs trndjfy, t`j bkkjmsbty oa t`bs jvbi, t`j ioss oa 34 kbiibom c`bifrjm
embt hy Dof nmfs`rjffjf hy kjm, fjknmfs t`nt wj spjne, rjmjw our zjni,
rjarjs` our cokpnssbom, nmf rjbdmbtj our cokkbtkjmt to spjne aor t`j ijnst
oa t`jsj t`nt nrj so prjcbous to Dof, rjdnrfijss oa t`j fbscokaort to us.Bm t`j ancj oa suc` drjnt jvbi, wj kustcomtbmuj to nse7 T`nt s`ouif t`j
c`urc` sny nmf fo?
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
23/53
NHOXVBOM 8:
T`nt Kust t`j C`urc` Snynhout Nhortbom?V`j Zmhorm C`bif Bs n Tore oa Dof
V`j c`bif bm t`j wokh bs knfj hy Dof.V`j psnikbst snys t`nt Dof embt kjtodjt`jr bm ky kot`jrs wokh (\snik >327>3). Hut t`jrj bs korj dobmd om bm
t`bs procjss t`nm t`j kjrjiy nmomykous worebmds oa c`jkbcni nmf kjc`nmb-
cni aorcjs.
V`j c`bif bm t`j wokh bs sjjm hy Dof.V`j psnikbst snys, Ky arnkj wns
mot `bffjm arok you w`jm B wns knfj bm t`j sjcrjt pincj, w`jm B wns wovjm
todjt`jr . . . Rour jyjs snw ky umaorkjf hofy (\snik >327>: >1). Mjbt`jr
t`j fnremjss oa t`j wokh mor bts bmnccjssbhbibty to `uknm sbd`t `bfjs t`j
c`bif arok Dof. Dof sjjs bm t`j fnremjss (t`j fnremjss bs ns ibd`t to `bk,t`j psnikbst snys bm vjrsjs >> >8), nmf `j sjjs t`j c`bif, w`osj knturj hofy
bs yjt umaorkjf (vjrsj >3).
Ns B prjpnrjf t`bs kjssndj, B wns om nm nbrpinmj. V`j knm mjxt to kj wns
pinybmd pjjenhoo wbt` n c`bif bm t`j sjnt n`jnf oa `bk. T`jm t`j c`bif `bf
`bs ancj wbt` `bs owm `nmfs, t`j knm wouif prjtjmf mot to sjj, hut w`jm t`j
c`bif put `bs `nmfs fowm, t`j knm snbf, B sjj you. V`bs sbkpij dnkj `ns
spjcbni sbdmbabcnmcj aor our suhgjct, ns wj rjcodmbzj t`nt t`bs Scrbpturj tjiis
us t`nt Dof snys oa n c`bif stbii `bffjm bm t`j wokh, B sjj you. V`j p`rnsjsnys sokjt`bmd nhout Dofs nwnrjmjss oa nmf cnrj aor t`j pjrsom w`o bs bm
t`j wokh nmf t`bs bs t`j pobmt t`nt t`j psnikbst wbii mow frbvj `okj.
V`j umhorm c`bif bs emowm hy Dof. V`j psnikbst snys t`nt Dof fojs
mot kjrjiy sjj t`j c`bifs aorkbmd hofy, hut aorjsjjs `bs ibaj7 Nii t`j fnys
orfnbmjf aor kj wjrj wrbttjm bm your hooe hjaorj omj oa t`jk cnkj to hj
(\snik >327>1). V`j worfs fjmy t`j rnw scbjmcj t`nt tjiis us t`nt t`j aorkbmd
c`bif bs sbkpiy n comdiokjrntj oa protopinsk or t`j hy-profuct oa comcjp-
tbom. Dof rjcorfs t`j fnys oa t`j c`bif hjaorj omj oa t`jk cokjs to hj.@ow knmy youmd kot`jrs ejjp n hooe oa t`j abrst yjnr oa ibaj oa t`jbr
hnhbjs hooes oa `ospbtni pbcturjs, cokbmd `okj pbcturjs, hbrt` wjbd`ts,
drowt` kjnsurjkjmts, nmf ioces oa `nbr. Jnc` jmtry bs n stntjkjmt oa `ow
prjcbous t`nt ibttij pjrsom bs to t`j kot`jr. Nmf Dof, wbt` n fjdrjj oa tjm-
fjrmjss t`nt bs nrf to tnej bm, snys, Hjaorj you wjrj horm, B stnrtjf ejjpbmd n
hooe om you oa nii t`nt B emjw t`nt you wouif hj. T`nt korj powjraui stntj-
kjmt couif t`jrj hj oa t`j pjrsom`oof oa t`j c`bif bm t`j wokh t`nm t`nt
Dof nirjnfy coumts `bk or `jr so prjcbous ns to put t`nt c`bif bm `bs hooe.V`j anct t`nt Dof bs mot ibkbtjf to our tbkbmd bs n powjraui nrdukjmt aor
t`j pjrsom`oof oa t`j umhorm. @uknm kbmfs try to nssjss w`jm ibaj hjdbms
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
24/53
81 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
hboiodbcniiy, hut t`j Hbhij tjiis us t`nt Dof dbvjs `bs c`bifrjm `bs cnrj nmf
purposj jvjm hjaorj t`jy nrj crjntjf. Dof snys to Gjrjkbn`, aor jxnkpij,
Hjaorj B aorkjf you bm t`j wokh B emjw you (Gjrjkbn` >7:). \nui rjkbmfsus t`nt wj wjrj nctuniiy iovjf hjaorj t`j crjntbom oa t`j worif (Jp`jsbnms >76).
V`j umhorm c`bif bs nwore oa Dof knfj hy Dof, sjjm hy Dof, emowm
hy Dof. Hut nii oa t`jsj nspjcts oa t`j c`bifs rjintboms`bp to Dof sbdmni korj
t`nm t`j woreknms`bp oa t`j hnhy bm t`j wokh. V`jy niso sbdmni t`nt t`j
umhorm c`bif bs nwomfjr oa Dof.
V`j Zmhorm C`bif Bs n Tomfjr oa Dof
V`j hjst stntjkjmt oa t`bs womfjr bs bm t`j psnikbsts rja ijctbom om t`j pro-cjss hy w`bc` t`j c`bif bs knfj. V`j psnikbst snys to Dof, B prnbsj you
hjcnusj B nk ajnrauiiy nmf womfjrauiiy knfj (\snik >327>6). V`j `uknm
hofy hroud`t out oa kbcroscopbc fbkjmsboms wbt` nii oa bts bmtrbcntj procjssjs,
kjc`nmbcs, nhbibtbjs, nmf hjnutbjs sbkpiy cnusjs t`j psnikbst to pnusj nmf
knrvji bm prnbsj to Dof. Hut t`jm t`j womfjr tnejs om omj korj fbkjmsbom.
V`j psnikbst rjcodmbzjs t`nt t`j `uknm hofy bm t`j wokh bs womfjraui,
mot kjrjiy hjcnusj oa t`j knrvjious procjss oa bts crjntbom, hut hjcnusj oa bts
commjctbom to t`j Crjntor. @j snys, Rour wores nrj womfjraui, B emow t`ntauii wjii. Zitbkntjiy t`j c`bif bs n womfjr hjcnusj oa t`j Crnatsknm w`o
ans`bomjf t`nt c`bif.
T`nt ba you wjrj to cokj ncross n pnbmtbmd bm your drnmfkot`jrs nttbc t`nt
wns sbdmjf hy Xjkhrnmft or fn Qbmcb or vnm Dod ? Jvjm ba you couif mot rjc-
odmbzj nii t`j nrtbstry bm t`j pnbmtbmd, t`j mnkj oa t`j omj w`o crjntjf bt wouif
comvbmcj you oa bts vniuj. Rou couif sny, B emow t`nt n Xjkhrnmft bs wort`
sokjt`bmd, jvjm ba B emow mot`bmd jisj. Nmf t`j anct t`nt t`j c`bif bm t`j
wokh bs knfj hy t`j `nmf oa Dofsnys t`nt t`bs c`bif bs n womfjr. V`bs kns-tjrpbjcj bs mot n Xjkhrnmft or n fn Qbmcb or n vnm Dod`. Mo, t`bs wore bs anr,
anr hjttjr7 bts n Rn`wj`, n Dof-wore oa nrt, nmf t`us bt bs n prjcbous womfjr.
V`jsj two t`oud`ts t`nt t`j umhorm c`bif bs hot` n wore oa Dof nmf n
womfjr oa Dof s`ouif, nt ijnst, aork n aoumfntbom aor w`nt t`j c`urc` snys
nhout nhortbom. Nmf w`nt t`j c`urc` fojss`ouif hj hubit om t`nt aoumfntbom.
T`nt Kust t`j C`urc` Fonhout Nhortbom?
Vo nmswjr t`bs qujstbom B nk mot dobmd to aocus om poibtbcni strntjdbjs orpbcejtbmd ibaj-c`nbms or t`j fjhntjs oa t`j puhibc squnrj. B fo mot kjnm to
kbmbkbzj t`j bkportnmcj oa suc` kjnsurjs or to sny t`nt t`j c`urc` `ns mo
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
25/53
NHOXVBOM 84
roij bm t`jk. Xnt`jr, ky bmtjmtbom w`jm nmswjrbmd w`nt t`j c`urc`s`ouif
fo nhout nhortbom bs to cnii t`j c`urc` to w`nt t`j c`urc` fojs hjst.B wnmt to
c`niijmdj you to comsbfjr t`j umbquj comtrbhutbom t`nt t`j c`urc` cnm knej,to rjcodmbzj t`nt sokj oa our tjmsboms nmf arustrntboms wbt` jnc` ot`jr kny
rjsuit arok trybmd to aorcj t`j c`urc` bmto pnttjrms nmf prnctbcjs t`nt nrj
outsbfj `jr fbvbmj fjsbdm. Ns n rjsuit, bm our c`urc`iy nttjkpts to bmaiujmcj
sjcuinr cuiturj, wj kny `nvj hjjm too qubce to sjje nitjrmntbvjs to t`j spbrb-
tuni aorcjs t`nt nrj t`j truj nmf drjntjr powjrs bmaiujmcbmd t`j fbrjctbom oa
nmy socbjty. Nmf bt bs t`jsj spbrbtuni aorcjs t`nt kust hj t`j c`bja prjoccupn-
tbom oa t`j c`urc`.
Ba, ns Scrbpturj fjcinrjs, bt bs truj t`nt wj wrjstij mot ndnbmst aijs` nmfhioof hut ndnbmst powjrs nmf prbmcbpnibtbjs, t`j ruijrs oa fnremjss nmf spbrb-
tuniwbcejfmjss bm `bd` pincjs (sjj Jp`jsbnms 17>8), t`jm w`nt s`ouif t`j
c`urc` fo? V`j nmswjr bs t`nt t`j c`urc` kust jmdndj bm spbrbtuni wnranrj
wbt` t`j spbrbtuni wjnpoms oa Dofs trut`, drncj, nmf iovj.
Vjnc` t`j Vrut` (nhout Jnc` C`bif)
V`j anct t`nt t`j c`bif bm t`j wokh bs n wore nmf n womfjr oa Dof dbvjs t`j
c`urc` t`j rbd`t nmf rjspomsbhbibtyto bmsbst t`nt, t`oud` umsjjm hy t`j worif,t`j hnhj bs n c`bif, mot n c`obcj, npjrsom, mot n iukp oa protopinsk. V`bs bs t`j
kost crbtbcni trut` t`nt t`j c`urc` kust sny. Tj kust mot hjibjvj t`nt suc`
stntjkjmts nrj usjijss or wbii niwnys ani i om fjna jnrs.
V`j rjnsom t`nt pro-nhortbom nfvocntjs nrj so zjnious t`nt jxpjctnmt
kot`jrs mot hj s`owm pbcturjs or kofjis oa prj-horm c`bifrjm bs t`nt w`jm
kot`jrs sjj w`nt bs hjbmd fjstroyjf hy nhortbom, t`jbr `jnrts rjsomntj wbt`
t`j hbhibcni pjrspjctbvj t`nt t`j umhorm c`bif bs prjcbous. V`j prjstbdbous
Mjw Jmdinmf Gourmni oa Kjfbcbmjrjports t`nt w`jm kot`jrs sjj nm uitrnsoumfbkndj oa t`j c`bif, nm jkotbomni homfbmd tnejs pincj jvjm hjaorj t`j c`bifs
kovjkjmt bs ajit. T`jm tjc`moiody ijts us sjj w`nt t`j psnikbst snys t`nt
Dof nirjnfy sjjs bm t`j wokh, t`jm t`j fbvbmj bkprbmt om t`j `uknm `jnrt
w`bspjrs bm t`j kost powjraui nmf fjjp c`orfs, V`bs c`bif bs prjcbous, nmf
fjstroybmd t`bs ibttij omj bs wromd.
Nctuniiy, kost pjopij hjibjvj t`bs nirjnfy. Survjy natjr survjy wbii tjii us
t`nt kost pjopij hjibjvj nhortbom bs wromd. V`jy nisohjibjvj t`nt bt bs wromd
aor t`j dovjrmkjmt to hj bmvoivjf bm nhortbom fjcbsboms hjcnusj t`jy ajnr HbdHrot`jr bmvoivjkjmt bm aorcbmd t`j hbrt` oa fnkndjf c`bifrjm or t`j c`bifrjm
oa rnpj nmf bmcjst vbctbks (t`jsj suhgjcts kust hj nffrjssjf nt drjntjr ijmdt`
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
26/53
80 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
nmot`jr tbkj, t`oud` B wbii spjne oa ky owm ankbiys rjintjf jxpjrbjmcj bm n
ajw kokjmts). Stbii, kost hjibjvj t`nt nhortboms oa jnit`y c`bifrjm aor t`j snej
oa comvjmbjmcj nrj bkkorni nmf wromd. Tj s`ouif mot iosj sbd`t oa t`j kornidroumf t`nt `ns hjjm wom, ijst wj dbvj up or rjtrjnt, t`bmebmd t`nt our jaaorts
`nvj mot `nf nmy rjsuits. V`j c`urc` kust ejjp snybmd ovjr nmf ovjr ndnbm,
V`j c`bif bm t`j wokh bs prjcbous. Suc` stntjkjmts nrj knebmd nm bkpnct.
Hut bt bs mot jmoud` to sny t`nt t`j c`bif bm t`j wokhbs prjcbous. B tooe
cnrj to sny jnribjr t`nt t`j c`urc` kust nssjrt t`j vniuj oa jnc`c`bif oa Dof.
V`j psnikbsts worfs fo mot rjajr kjrjiy to `bs owm prj-horm stntj w`jm
`j knrvjis, B nkajnrauiiy nmf womfjrauiiy knfj, or spjnes to Dof nt t`j
hjdbmmbmd oa t`j psnik7 Rou emow kj. Rou emow w`jm B sbt nmf w`jm B rbsj5
you pjrcjbvj ky t`oud`ts . . . you nrj ankbibnr wbt` nii ky wnys . . . you iny your
`nmf upom kj. Suc` emowijfdj bs too womfjraui aor kj, too ioaty aor kj to
nttnbm (\snik >327> 1). Ejy bm t`j nhortbom hnttij bs mot sbkpiy to naabrk
`ow prjcbous t`j hnhy bs to Dof, hut to fjcinrj `ow prjcbous bs t`j kot`jr
(nmot`jr c`bif oa Dof) w`ok Dof knfj nmf emows nmf touc`js.
Bm nm bmsbd`taui nrtbcij bm C`rbstbnmbty Vofny, Arjfjrbcn Kntt`jwjs-Drjjm
jxpinbms t`j bkportnmcj oa pincbmd vniuj om t`j kot`jr7
V`j Bts n hnhy! kjssndj niomj strbejs t`j kuffijf kbffij Uhy t`bss`j kjnms pjopij w`o nrj mot stromdiy niibjf wbt` jbt`jr pro- or nmtb-
nhortbom nfvocntjs[ ns anbibmd to tnej sjrbousiy t`j woknms pibd`t. Our
nppnrjmt wbiibmdmjss to fbskbss t`osj fbaabcuitbjs ns bmcomvjmbjmcjs
strbejs knmy ns jbt`jr cniious or wbifiy mnbvj.
Nffbtbomniiy, our oppomjmts bmtjrprjt t`bs nppjni ns pjrsomni nttnces
om t`jk. T`jm wj sny, Nhortbom bs nm bkkorni nct hjcnusj bt ebiis n
hnhy, t`jy `jnr, \jopij w`o anvor nhortbom nrj bkkorni pjopij. B `nf
iomd womfjrjf w`y, nt fjhntjs, B wouif nttnce nhortbom, nmf ky oppomjmt
wouif mot fjajmf nhortbom hut nttnce kj.
B cnkj to rjnibzj t`nt t`j Bts n hnhy! kjssndj, bkportnmt ns bt bs,
fojs mot oaajr nii t`j soiutboms wjf opjf bt wouif, nmf bm sokj bmstnmcjs
crjntjs korj kbsumfjrstnmfbmd. Bt bs n hnhy, nmf t`nt oud`t to hj t`j a brst
pobmt bm prjsjmtbmd t`j pro-ibaj posbtbom pjrsunsbvjiy. Hut t`j comvjrsntbom
mjjfs to kovj hjyomf t`nt pobmt.>
Kntt`jwjs-Drjjm snys t`j pobmt to w`bc` t`j comvjrsntbom kust kovj
bs bmsbstjmcj t`nt nhortbom fnkndjs t`j kot`jr p`ysbcniiy, jkotbomniiy, nmf
>. Arjfjrbcn Knt`jwjs-Drjjm, Tnmtjf7 N Mjw \ro-Ibaj Strntjdy, C`rbstbnmbty Vofny(Gnmunry >8, >220), www.c`rbstbnmbty tofny.cok/ct/>220/gnmunry>8/0t>
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
27/53
NHOXVBOM 82
spbrbtuniiy. B nk mot dobmd to focukjmt w`nt you nirjnfy emow nhout t`j
trut`s oa t`jsj nrdukjmts ns kuc` ns rjkbmf us oa t`j bkportnmcj oa snybmd
t`nt hot` kot`jr nmf c`bif nrj prjcbous to Dof. Rjs, Bts n hnhy. Rjs, Bts nc`bif, mot n c`obcj. Hut hjcnusj hot` kot`jr nmf c`bif nrj prjcbous wj niso
sny, Kot`jrs `urt w`jm t`jbr hnhbjs fbj. V`j Ajkbmbsts aor Ibaj ordnmbzn-
tbom cnpturjs sokjt`bmd oa t`bs trut` wbt` bts kotto7 Nhortbom urts wokjm,
ebiis c`bifrjm, nmf fjstroys ankbibjs.
Sokj`ow wj kust ejjp bm tnmfjk our comcjrm nmf Dofs comcjrm aor
t`j kot`jr ns wjii ns t`j c`bif w`jm wj spjne, hjcnusj hot` nrj wores nmf
womfjrs oa Dof. Ejjpbmd t`bs bm kbmf fojs two t`bmds7 bt kofbabjs w`nt wj
s`ouif hj wbiibmd to sny bm t`j nhortbom fjhntj, nmf bt dbvjs us n powjraui
spbrbtuni wjnpom bm pjrsunfbmd wokjm mot to `nvj nhortboms.
Ba t`j kot`jr bs prjcbous to Dof (nmf mot omiy n kot`jr comsbfjrbmdnm nhor-
tbom hut jvjm t`osj kot`jrsprovbfbmdnhortboms ns mursjs nmf foctors), t`jm wj
kust fjni wbt` jnc` kot`jr ns n ajiiow bkndj hjnrjr oa Dof. @ntjaui, fbsrjspjct-
aui, nmf fjkjnmbmd spjjc` nmf nctboms kust hj c`niijmdjf bm t`j ibd`t oa w`nt
Dof snys nhout jnc` oa bs c`bifrjm. T`ntjvjr wj sny, wj kust sny bt bm t`j ibd`t
oa t`j trut` t`nt jnc` c`bif oa Dof umhorm nmf horm bs n wore nmf womfjr
oa Dof, prjcbous to `bk. Nit`oud` B wnmt to hj cnutbous bm w`nt B sny `jrj so
ns to nvobf crjntbmd kbsumfjrstnmfbmd, w`jm B `nvj pbcejtjf, B `nvj rjausjf to
cnrry sbdms t`nt bfjmtbay pro-nhortbombsts ns kurfjrjrs. B fohjibjvj t`nt nhor-
tbom ebiis. @owjvjr, kurfjr, hy strbct hbhibcni fjabmbtbom, bkpibjs n fjstructbvj
kotbvj, nmf B rjcodmbzj t`nt sokj nhortbombsts hjibjvj truiy hjibjvj t`nt
t`jy nrj fobmd sokjt`bmd courndjous nmf mohij, nmf bt bs mot niwnys t`j hjst
nppronc` (ns kuc` nsBhjibjvj t`nt w`nt t`jy nrj fobmd bs bkkorni) to nccusj
t`jk oa fobmd w`nt t`jyt`bme bs wromd nmf, t`jrjaorj, kurfjrous.
Our korni cnusj wbii mot hj nfvnmcjf hy spjjc` t`nt ot`jrs vbjw ns umanbr
bm bts c`nrnctjrbzntboms. Tj `nvj to ijnrm t`j ijssoms oa our tbkjs. T`y, natjrnii, bs bt possbhij aor n prjsbfjmts npprovni rntbmd to stny `bd` bm t`j ancj oa
umfjmbnhij scnmfni or kbscomfuct? B emow t`j stnmfnrf jxpinmntboms nrj
hjcnusj mo omj rjniiy cnrjs nhout nmyt`bmd hut t`j jcomoky, or hjcnusj wj
`nvj hjjm cniiousjf hy t`j korni fjcibmj oa our socbjty. V`jsj rjnsoms kny
jxpinbm w`y n prjsbfjmt cnm survbvj scnmfnis, hut t`jy fo mot jxpinbm t`j
stummbmd rjhuej oa t`j Xjpuhibcnm comdrjss nmf t`j rjibdbous rbd`t bm prjvb-
ous jijctboms. V`j Nkjrbcnm pjopij wjrj mot kjrjiy cniiousjf to korni anbi-
bmd5 t`jy wjrj bmcjmsjf hy w`nt t`jy pjrcjbvjf ns `ntjaui spjjc` nmf tnctbcsbm fjnibmd wbt` korni anbiurjs. Bm t`j kbmf oa knmy Nkjrbcnms, t`j korni
crbtbcs iost t`j korni `bd` droumf.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
28/53
3< \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
V`jrj s`ouif hj `opj aor us bm t`jsj bmfbcntboms oa rjdnrf aor anbr nmf gust
jxprjssbom, aor t`jy bmfbcntj t`nt t`jrj rjknbms n korni fbkjmsbom to puhibc
opbmbom. \jopij fo nct om w`nt t`jy pjrcjbvj ns doof, nmf t`jy wbii nct bmhj`nia oa kot`jr nmf c`bif ba wj fo mot surrjmfjr t`j korni `bd` droumf hy
r`jtorbc t`nt bs hbhibcniiy pro`bhbtjf hy t`j knmfntjs to iovj our jmjkbjs nmf
to prny aor t`osj w`o pjrsjcutj jvjm t`osj w`o pjrsjcutj t`jbr owm hnhbjs.
Mot omiy fojs snybmd t`nt hot` kot`jr nmf c`bif nrj prjcbous to Dof
kofbay our spjjc`5 bt cnm niso hj n powjraui spbrbtuni wjnpom bm kofb-
aybmd n kot`jrs hj`nvbor. V`jsj nrj rjknrenhij worfs arok Arjfjrbcn
Kntt`jwjs-Drjjm7
B spjmt n yjnr Ubm rjsjnrc`bmd n hooe[ . . . sjjebmd to fbscovjr t`j rjn-soms kost wokjm c`oosj nhortbom. B jxpjctjf to abmf prnctbcni prohijks
`jnfbmd t`j ibst7 abmnmcbni mjjfs, c`bif cnrj wojs, prjssurjs to frop out
oa sc`ooi. Rjt natjr rjvbjwbmd sjvjrni stufbjs nmf comfuctbmd ky owm, mo
cijnr pnttjrm jkjrdjf.
Hut w`jm B spoej wbt` droups oa post-nhortbom wokjm, n mjnriy umnm-
bkous comsjmsus nppjnrjf. Tokjm `nf nhortboms, bm mjnriy jvjry cnsj,
hjcnusj oa rjintboms`bps. Kost oatjm bt wns to pijnsj t`j ant`jr oa t`j
c`bif, w`o wns prjssurbmd aor nhortbom. (Bm n coupij oa cnsjs, t`j woknm
spoej oa iybmd om t`j nhortbom tnhij, prnybmd t`nt n `ushnmf wouif hurst
bm nmf sny, Stop, Bvj c`nmdjf ky kbmf.) V`j sjcomf kost cokkom
rjnsom wns prjssurj arok n pnrjmt, kost oatjm t`j dbris kot`jr.8
Comvbmcbmd n woknm oa `jr bm`jrjmt vniuj to Dof, rjdnrfijss oa w`nt
ot`jr pjopij kny t`bme or t`rjntjm, bs n powjraui tooi bm t`j hnttij ndnbmst
nhortbom. Bt bs mot n poibtbcni tooi, hut bt bs powjraui ijvjrndj om t`j soui to sny
t`nt t`j rjnsom t`nt you mjjf mot nct ndnbmst t`j bmstbmcts nmf fjsbrjs oa your
owm `jnrt bm orfjr to pincntj nmot`jr or sjcurj t`jbr nccjptnmcj bs t`nt yourAnt`jr Dof cniis you prjcbous. @j iooes nt you bm your fnremjss, fjspnbr, nmf
s`nkj nmf snys, Rou nrj kbmj. Tj cnm tjii t`jsj wokjm, Rou fomt `nvj
to fo t`bs to hj iovjf or vniujf hjcnusj you nrj n wore nmf n womfjr oa Dof.
Rou nrjsokjhofy npnrt arok t`j npprovni nmf nccjptnmcj oa t`j pjrsom w`o
bs prjssurbmd you to nhort your c`bif, hjcnusjyou nrj prjcbous to Dof.
Vjnc`bmd t`j vniuj oa jnc` c`bif oa Dof bs w`nt t`j c`urc` s`ouif fo.
V`nt kjssndj bs knfj korj crjfbhij nmf powjraui w`jm wj niso prjnc` t`j
dospji oa drncj.
8. Knt`jwjs-Drjjm, Tnmtjf7 N Mjw \ro-Ibaj Strntjdy, C`rbstbnmbty Vofny (Gnmunry >8,>220).
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
29/53
NHOXVBOM 3>
\rjnc` Drncj
V`j snkj psnikbst w`o snys t`nt `j bs ajnrauiiy nmf womfjrauiiy knfj niso
nses Dof to sjj ba t`jrj bs nmy oaajmsbvj wny bm kj (\snik >32786). V`jwrbtjr fojs mot ajnr t`nt `bs a inws wbii rjkovj `bk arok Dofs jstjjk. Bm
anct, bm Dofs iovj aor w`nt bs ainwjf t`jrj bs cnusj aor spjcbni prnbsj. Tj cnm
hj ainwjf nmf stbii hj prjcbous to Dof. Rou nmf B emow t`j spbrbtuni cokaort
oa t`bs drncj, hut wj mjjf to trnmsintj bt to nii t`j nrjns oa our t`oud`t. Aor
kot`jrs ajnrbmd t`j hbrt` oa n ainwjf c`bif, wj s`ouif mjvjr kbmbkbzj t`j
`orrors oa ibvbmd bm n aniijm worif nmf t`j `jnrtnc`j oa hjnrbmd c`bifrjm w`o
nrj mot jnit`y bm kbmf nmf hofy, hut mjbt`jr s`ouif wj niiow t`j motbom t`nt
w`nt bs mot pjrajct bs mot prjcbous.B `nvj n youmdjr hrot`jr w`o `ns `nf kjmtni fbsnhbibtbjs sbmcj hbrt`. B
`nvj wbs`jf aor knmy t`bmds aor `bk, hut B `nvj mjvjr wbs`jf t`nt `j wjrj
fjnf. B `nvj fbscovjrjf t`nt pnrt oa t`j fbvbmj bkprbmt om ky owm `jnrt bs to
iovj ns n prjcbous dbat omj w`o bs bkpjrajct. Ba wj rjniiy iosj t`bs cnpncbty to
cnrj aor t`j ainwjf, ba nii t`nt wj abmniiy vniuj nrj t`osj w`o nrj w`oij, iovjiy,
nmf wjii aorkjf, t`jm wj wbii uitbkntjiy abmf wj nrj bmcnpnhij oa iovbmd nmy.
Aor wj nrj nii aniijm crjnturjs bm n aniijm worif, nmf ba wj kust fbscnrf or ebii
w`nt fojs mot pijnsj us, t`jm wj wbii abmf t`jrj bs mo vniuj bm t`j oif, t`jbmabrk, t`j bmcnpnhij, or bm our owm bkpjrajct ibvjs.
Drncj tjnc`js us sokjt`bmd fbaajrjmt7 t`nt t`j umiovjiy nrj iovjf hy Dof.
V`bs kjssndj kny mot omiy prjsjrvj t`j ibaj oa t`j umhorm c`bif w`o bs bm
sokj wny ainwjf or suspjctjf oa hjbmd ainwjf5 bt cnm niso fbssunfj t`j kot`jr
w`o bs sjjebmd nhortbom. V`j s`nkj t`nt kny hj frbvbmd `jr to sjje nm nhor-
tbom fojs mot kjnm t`nt s`j bs umiovjf5 n pnst kbstnej fojs mot kjnm t`nt
s`j bs umaordbvnhij5 jvjm n pnst nhortbom fojs mot kjnm t`nt s`j ancjs jtjrmni
rjgjctbom. Nmf t`j knm w`o kny hj urdbmd nm nhortbom hjcnusj oa `bs owmajnr oa s`nkj or fbsnfvnmtndj or rjtrbhutbom kny niso abmf mjw bmcjmtbvj to
protjct t`j umhorm w`jm `j fbscovjrs t`j jkhrncj oa drncj.
V`nt jkhrncj wbii kjnm mot`bmd, oa coursj, ba bt bs mot nccokpnmbjf hy
kjnmbmdaui iovj. V`us, t`j c`urc` t`nt wouif prjnc` drncj, kust niso fjk-
omstrntj iovj.
Fjkomstrntj Iovj
V`j drncj oa Dof bs t`j kndmjt t`nt frnws pjrsoms nwny arok sbm. Hut bat`osj w`o sny t`jy rjprjsjmt drncj nrj umiovbmd, t`nt drncj `ns mo nppnrjmt
powjr.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
30/53
38 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
T`nt fojs iovj rjqubrj? Bt rjqubrjs t`nt wj omjstiy bfjmtbay sbm nmf wnrm
oa gufdkjmt. V`j psnikbst fojs t`nt `jrj. @j spjnes oa t`j Iorf sinybmd t`j
hiooft`brsty nmf prokbsjs to comsbfjr ns jmjkbjs t`osj w`o wore ndnbmst t`jpurposjs oa Dof (\snik >327>2 88). Iovj fojs mot kjnm sbijmcj bm t`j ancj
oa jvbi. Tj kust spjne ndnbmst w`nt bs nh`orrjmt to Dof nmf wnrm oa fbvbmj
comsjqujmcjs. Hut wj fo so out oa comcjrm, fnrj B sny iovj, aor t`osj w`o
opposj us. Rjs, nhortbombsts nrj our spbrbtuni jmjkbjs, hut Dof snys wj nrj to
iovj our jmjkbjs, nmf bm t`bs psnik `j sjjes t`j doof oa omj w`o comajssjs
oaajmsj.
B hjibjvj, nmf B t`bme you hjibjvj, t`nt nm umfjrstnmfbmd oa w`o Dof bs
nmf w`nt `j `ns fomj bs w`nt bs uitbkntjiy mjjfjf to turm pjopij nwny aroknhortbom. Hut ba t`osj w`o supposjfiy rjprjsjmt t`bs Dof prjsjmt t`jksjivjs
ns nmdry, `ntjaui, nmf kjnm-spbrbtjf, t`jm bt bs aooibs` to hjibjvj t`nt t`jbr
Dof wbii hj pjrcjbvjf ns nmyt`bmd fbaajrjmt. Vo wnrm oa sbms comsjqujmcjs
nmf stbii to iovj bs our cniibmd, nmf bt bs t`j powjr oa t`j dospji ndnbmst t`j
drjntjst oa jvbis.
Kost oa you emow mow oa t`j story oa Morkn KcCorvjy, t`j pinbmtbaa
bm t`j bmankous Xoj v. Tnfj cnsj t`nt ijdnibzjf nhortbom bm t`bs coumtry. Bm
`jr hooe Tom hy Iovj, s`j wrbtjs oa omj oa t`j C`rbstbnms w`o cokhbmjf iovjwbt` wnrmbmd umtbi s`j, w`o bs bm knmy wnys rjspomsbhij aor t`j fjnt`s oa 34
kbiibom, turmjf to Dof.
V`j ejy pjrsom bm t`j hnttij aor Morkn KcCorvjys soui wns n sjvjm-
yjnr-oif dbri mnkjf Jkbiy Kncejy. Jkbiys kot`jr worejf bm t`j Opjrntbom
Xjscuj oaabcjs mjxt foor to t`j nhortbom cibmbc bm Fniins nt w`bc` Morkn
KcCorvjy worejf. Hbodrnp`jr Dnry V`okns wrbtjs7
Jkbiys hintnmt naajctbom, arjqujmt `uds, nmf fbrjct pursubt fbsnrkjf
Morkn Uw`o wns sebiijf nt cursbmd nmf spbttbmd om nhortbom protjstjrs[.
V`j ibttij dbri s bmtjrjst wns nii t`j korj surprbsbmd comsbfjrbmd Jkbiy
knfj bt vjry cijnr t`nt `jr nccjptnmcj oa Morkn wnsmt nm nccjptnmcj
oa Morkns ibajstyij. Jnriy om bm t`jbr rjintboms`bp, Morkn jxpinbmjf to
Jkbiy, B ibej ebfs nmf B wouifmt ijt nmyomj `urt ibttij ebfs, to w`bc`
Jkbiy rjspomfjf, V`jm w`y fo you ijt t`jk ebii hnhbjs nt t`j cibmbc?
U@jnr t`j cijnr bfjmtbabcntbom oa jvbi, jvjm bm t`j c`bifs bmmocjmt cnmfor.[
V`bs c`bifibej bmmocjmcj cut opjm Morkns `jnrt. Morkn wnsmt wom
ovjr hy cokpjiibmd bmtjiijctuni nrdukjmts . . . Ovjr tbkj, Jkbiy hjdnm topjrsombay t`j bssuj oa nhortbom jspjcbniiy w`jm UJkbiys kot`jr[ Xomfn
hroej fowm nmf toif Morkn t`nt Jkbiy `nf nikost hjjm nhortjf . . .
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
31/53
NHOXVBOM 33
Kbss Morkn, Jkbiy coojf omj natjrmoom, bt wouif hj sooo cooi ba
you wouif cokj to c`urc` wbt` us. UNatjr knmy rjausnis, Morkn abmniiy
snbf yjs hjcnusj s`j wns tbrjf oa tjiibmd Jkbiy mo.[3
Knmy oa you emow t`j story oa Morkn KcCorvjys comvjrsbom t`nt tooe
pincj w`jm s`j fbf do to c`urc`. S`j cinbkjf t`j iovj oa C`rbst hjcnusj
s`j `nf emowm t`j iovj oa omj oa `bs c`bifrjm. Tbt` t`nt cinbk cnkj n mjw
comvbctbom horm oa iovj nmf drncj. Jkbiys kot`jr rjcniis Morkn snybmd ovjr
nmf ovjr nt n c`urc` sjrvbcj, B gust wnmt to umfo nii t`j jvbi Bvj fomj bm t`bs
worif. Bk so sorry, Dof. Bk so, so sorry. Ns anr ns nhortbom bs comcjrmjf,
B gust wnmt to umfo bt. B wnmt bt nii to do nwny. V`j powjr oa iovj `nf trb-
ukp`jf, ns bt kust t`roud` us ns wjii w`jm wj ancj t`j jvbi oa nhortbom.V`j storbjs couif hj rjpjntjf knmy tbkjs oa nhortbombsts or nhortbom-
comsbfjrbmd koks w`o `nvj hjjm wom hy iovj Hjrmnrf Mnt`nmsom, Goy
Fnvbs, ot`jrs you emow. B fo mot kjnm to bkpiy t`nt t`j vbctorbjs wbii cokj
jnsbiy or swbatiy, hut wj kust mot nhnmfom w`nt wj emow to hj Dofs wny oa
turmbmd t`j `uknm `jnrt. Spbrbtuni wnranrj rjqubrjs spbrbtuni wjnpoms, nmf
t`jsj bmciufj trut`, drncj, nmf iovj. Iovj kust hj fjkomstrntjf hy worfs
nmf fjjfs oa kjrcy t`nt cost tbkj, komjy, nmf sncrbabcj hjcnusj t`jsj nrj
t`j c`urc`s wjnpoms bm nmy cuiturni hnttij. Rjs, t`j c`urc` s`ouif hj ntt`j aorjaromt oa jmcourndbmd `jr pjopij to cnrj aor fjspjrntj kot`jrs nmf
umwnmtjf c`bifrjm w`osj ibvjs mjjf protjctbom. Iovj kust hj jvbfjmt bm us
nmf hj jxprjssjf hy us aor Dofs powjr to hj prjsjmt.
Kost oa you emow ns wjii t`nt w`jm Morkns comvjrsbom hjcnkj puhibc
emowijfdj, mot jvjryt`bmd wns nii rbd`t wbt` Morkn. S`j spoej opjmiy to
rjportjrs nhout stbii supportbmd ijdnibzjf nhortbom bm t`j abrst trbkjstjr, nmf
t`bs wns usjf hy hot` sjcuinr nmf C`rbstbnm cokkjmtntors to fbscrjfbt `jr
comvjrsbom nmf `jr cokkbtkjmts.T`nt you kny mot emow bs t`nt n ajw wjjes natjr `jr comvjrsbom, Morkn
wns sbttbmd bm Opjrntbom Xjscujs oaabcj nmf hjdnm iooebmd nt n ajtni fjvjiop-
kjmt postjr. Intjr s`j snbf,
V`j prodrjssbom wns so ohvbous, t`j jyjs wjrj so swjjt . . . Bt urt ky
`jnrt, gust iooebmd nt t`jk.
UNatjr rummbmd outsbfj t`j cibmbc, bt fnwmjf om `jr.[ Morkn, B snbf
to kysjia, V`jyrj rbd`t. B `nf worejf wbt` prjdmnmt wokjm aor yjnrs.
3. Dnry V`okns, Xoj v. KcCorvjy, C`rbstbnmbty Vofny(Gnmunry >8, >220), www.c`rbstbnmbtytofny.cok/ct/>220/gnmunry>8/0t>.`tki.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
32/53
36 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
B `nf hjjm t`roud` t`rjj prjdmnmcbjs kysjia. B s`ouif `nvj emowm. Rjt
sokjt`bmd bm t`nt postjr knfj kj iosj ky hrjnt`. B ejpt sjjbmd t`j pbc-
turj oa t`nt tbmy, tjm-wjje-oif jkhryo, nmf B snbf to kysjia, V`nts n
hnhy! Bts ns ba t`j hibmfjrs ajii oaa ky jyjs nmf B suffjmiy umfjrstoof t`j
trut` t`nts n hnhy!6
Bts ns ba t`j hibmfjrs ajii oaa, s`j snbf. V`j worfs nrj n cibc` bm cui-
turj, hut t`jy `nvj fjjp spbrbtuni kjnmbmd aor us. V`j uitbkntj hnttij ndnbmst
nhortbom bs n spbrbtuni hnttij, ns t`j hibmf nrj knfj to sjj. V`bs uitbkntjiy bs
n hnttij mot oa t`j hniiot hox nmf t`j gufbcbni hjmc` hut oa t`j `jnrt nmf soui.
Aor t`bs rjnsom, B ndnbm sny to you nmf to kj t`nt wj kust knej surj t`j
c`urc` fojs mot anbi to fo w`nt bt fojs hjst, nmf t`bs kjnms bt kust jxjrcbsjspbrbtuni powjr.
Jxjrcbsj Spbrbtuni \owjr
Tj cnmmot ijt nppnrjmt succjss or anbiurj, or cuiturni horjfok wbt` t`j bssuj
oa nhortbom, ejjp us arok our orfnbmjf tnses. Tj kust prjnc` ndnbmst nhor-
tbom hjcnusj t`j umhorm c`bif bs prjcbous to Dof, ns \snik >32 knejs cijnr.
Tj kust jqubp t`j snbmts wbt` t`j trut` oa Dofs Torf nhout t`j vniuj oa ibaj
nmf nhout t`j comsjqujmcjs oa opposbmd Dofs purposjs. Suc` tjnc`bmd nmf
prjnc`bmd kust hj suaabcbjmt to jqubp hjibjvjrs to stnmf aor ibaj nmf gustbcj bm
w`ntjvjr nrjn oa ibaj Dof kny cnii t`jk to, w`jt`jr t`nt kjnms fjajmfbmd
ibaj bm courts nmf ijdbsinturjs or jmdndbmd bm comvjrsntboms nt our owm ebtc`jm
tnhijs aor our owm stntbstbcs tjii us t`nt t`j nhortbom rntj bs mot fbscjrmbhiy
fbaajrjmt nkomd jvnmdjibcnis t`nm bm t`j rjst oa our cuiturj.
Suc` abdurjs knej bt cijnr t`nt t`j hnttij ndnbmst nhortbom wbii mot hj
wom hy n inw or n court fjcbsbom. V`j anctors t`nt ijf to nmf comtbmuj to auji
nhortbom nrj ns fbvjrsj ns t`j naaiujmcj oa our cuiturj t`nt prokotjs sjiabs`-
mjss, t`j jmtjrtnbmkjmts t`nt stbkuintj prokbscubty, t`j cnrjjrbsk oa pnrjmts
nmf husymjss oa c`bifrjm t`nt nrj fbsknmtibmd ankbiy structurjs, t`j succjss
ndjmfns oa iocni c`urc`js, t`j proajssbomnibsk oa t`j cijrdy. V`jsj knttjrs
wbii mot c`nmdj hjcnusj wj djt t`j rbd`t poibtbcni cnmfbfntjs bm oaa bcj. V`jy
nrj fjjp, bmtjrtwbmjf pnrnsbtjs oa t`j soui t`nt jvjm wj `nvj drowm to iovj,
nmf t`jy wbii mot hj ovjrcokj jxcjpt hy t`j Spbrbt oa Dof jmdndjf t`roud`
t`j prnyjrs oa `bs pjopij.
Tj kustprny. V`bs psnik bs n prnyjr t`nt bmciufjs mot omiy nm nppjni
aor Dofs cnrj hut niso nm nppjni aor vbctory ovjr `bs jmjkbjs. Tj kust prny
6. V`okns, Xoj v. KcCorvjy, C`rbstbnmbty Vofny(Gnmunry >8, >220).
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
33/53
NHOXVBOM 3:
comsbstjmtiy nmf fbibdjmtiy t`nt Dof wbii rjkovj t`bs hibd`t arok our inmf nmf
t`j spbrbtuni ijt`nrdy arok our `jnrts t`nt ejjps us toijrnmt oa bts prjsjmcj
nmf jvjm ajjfbmd bts drowt`. Ba prnyjr fojs mot sjjk jmoud`, t`jm wj `nvjmot pjrcjbvjf t`j truj fjpt` oa t`j prohijk nmf rjcodmbzjf our `jipijssmjss
ndnbmst bt npnrt arok t`j powjr oa Dof. \rnyjr bs t`j powjr Dof provbfjs, nmf
wj kust jkpioy bt ndnbmst t`j jvbi t`nt bs drjntjr t`nm wj.
Iomd ndo, Oswnif C`nkhjrs snbf, \rnyjr fojs mot jqubp us aor drjntjr
wores prnyjr bst`j drjntjr wore.:Ba wj wbii `ukhij oursjivjs nmf prny,
t`jm t`j c`urc` bs mot fobmd t`j ijnst t`nt bt cnm fo5 rnt`jr, bt bs fobmd t`j
spbrbtuni wore t`nt bt bs orfnbmjf to fo, nmf bt fojs so emowbmd t`nt nii ot`jr
wore bs vnbm npnrt arok bt. T`jm wj prny, brom hnrs ybjif.Nt St. Mbc`oins C`urc` bm Ijbpzbd, Jnst Djrknmy, hroc`urjs stbii tjii
t`j nccoumt oa t`j prnyjr kovjkjmt t`nt cuikbmntjf bm >202. Aor kost oa
n fjcnfj, t`j prnyjr droup `nf kjt, prnybmd aor gustbcj bm Jnstjrm Juropj.
Knss fjkomstrntboms, poibtbcni rniibjs, nmf ijdbsintbvj ndjmfns tooe pincj bm
ot`jr pnrts oa t`j coumtry, hut nii `nf ibttij jaajct. V`j prnyjr droup mukhjrs
jhhjf nmf aiowjf, wbt` sokjtbkjs n fozjm or ajwjr prnybmd bm t`j knssbvj
c`urc`. Hut bm >202, t`j Spbrbt bdmbtjf t`j jnrts oa bs pjopij, nmf umfrjfs,
t`jm t`ousnmfs, hjdnm to cokj. Jnst Djrknm troops hiocejf t`j jxbts oa t`jnutohn`m om t`j fnys oa t`j prnyjr kjjtbmd to ejjp pjopij arok frbvbmd bmto
t`j towm. Systjkntbc nrrjsts oa prnyjr ijnfjrs occurrjf om fnys prbor to t`j
prnyjr kjjtbmds. Cokkumbst sykpnt`bzjrs wjrj fbspntc`jf hy t`j `umfrjfs
to abii up t`j sjnts oa t`j c`urc` so t`jrj wouif hj mo pincj aor t`j prny-jrs to
sbt. Hut t`j prny-jrs stbii cnkj nmf stoof hot` bmsbfj nmf outsbfj to prny w`bij
t`j Cokkumbsts ibstjmjf to t`jbr prnyjrs, nmf knmy oa t`jkt`us hjcnkj pnrt
oa t`j cnusj. T`jm t`j mukhjrs oa prny-jrs rjnc`jf t`j t`ousnmfs, troops
wjrj cniijf bm to nmfij t`j nmtbcbpntjf rjvoit, hut nii t`j pjopij fbf wns prny,`oifbmd cnmfijs bm hot` `nmfs to s`ow t`nt t`jy `nf mo wjnpoms. V`j spbrbt oa
prnyjr nmf `opj swjpt t`j mntbom, nmf t`oud` bt omiy instjf n ajw wjjes, t`j
pnrty nmf Cokkumbst bfjoiody iost nii puhibc support. V`j systjk coiinpsjf.
Intjr, @orst Sbmfjrknmm, n kjkhjr oa t`j Cjmtrni Cokkbttjj oa Cok-
kumbsts ruibmd t`j coumtry, wrotj, Tj `nf pinmmjf aor jvjryt`bmd. Tj wjrj
prjpnrjf aor jvjryt`bmd. Hut mot aor cnmfijs nmf prnyjrs.1
:. Oswnif C`nkhjrs,Ky Ztkost aor @bs @bd`jst7 Nm Zpfntjf Jfbtbom bm Vofnys Inmdundj(DrnmfXnpbfs7 Fbscovjry @ousj, >228), Octohjr >4.
1. V`bs story bs toif hy n vnrbjty oa mjws sourcjs wbfjiy nvnbinhij om t`j Bmtjrmjt. V`jsj worfsnrj quotjf arok n hroc`urj provbfjf bm t`j aoyjr oa St. Mbc`oins c`urc` bm Ijbpzbd, Djrknmy.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
34/53
31 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
Rjs, wj kust poibtbc nmf pbcejt nmf puhibs`, hut t`j nrk oa knm wbii mot
snvj us or t`jsj c`bifrjm. Tj kust sjje our Dof, wbt` t`j c`urc` fobmd w`nt
bt fojs hjst7 tjstbay to t`j trut` oa t`j prjcbousmjss oa ibaj, prjnc` drncj, fjk-omstrntj iovj, nmf prny. @j bs mot fjna to our cnii, aor `bs owm `jnrt c`nmts,
Embt omj, puri two5 embt omj, puri two. Dof bs embttbmd c`bifrjm. Tj `nvj
t`j jyjs to sjj bt. Kny wj `nvj t`j anbt` to nct om w`nt wj sjj bm orfjr to cnii
om `bk bm fjvotjf prnyjr nmf pntbjmt pjtbtbom to cokj fowm wbt` powjr to
c`nmdj us, so t`nt wbt` rjmjwjf worfs nmf wores wj s`nii hj fbvbmj bmstru-
kjmts usjf hy Dof to snvj t`jsj ibttij omjs.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
35/53
C`nptjr Vwo
C @ B I F N H Z S J
SBVZNVBOMFr. Fnm Forbnmb bs pnstor oa t`j prjstbdbous Cjmtrni \rjshytjrbnm C`urc`
(J\C) bm St. Ioubs, Kbssourb.>V`j fjnt` oa `bs ant`jr hroud`t mot omiy
drbja hut n aioof oa pnbmaui kjkorbjs nmf comaibctjf ajjibmds. So kuc` oa
Forbnmbs ibaj `nf hjjm spjmt rjsoivbmd mot to rjpjnt t`j nhusbvj pnttjrms oa
`bs ant`jr t`nt `j mow rjnibzjf `j `nf mot nfjquntjiy comsbfjrjf t`j jaajcts
oa t`j nhusj om `bksjia, `bs ankbiy, `bs kbmbstry, nmf ot`jrs sbkbinriy naajctjf.
Natjr knebmd tnmdjmtbni rjajrjmcjs to bs jxpjrbjmcjs bm n ajw sjrkoms, Forb-
nmb uitbkntjiy ajit `j `nf to wrjstij townrf `bs owm umfjrstnmfbmd, ns wjiins ot`jrs mjjf to nppiy t`j dospji to suc` pnbm. @j fbf so hy prjsjmtbmd nm
jmtbrj kjssndj om t`j suhgjct oa c`bif`oof nhusj. Mot surj oa bs owm ajjibmds
or t`j rjnctboms oa nii w`o wouif hj dnt`jrjf aor n Sumfny kormbmd sjrkom,
Forbnmb prjsjmtjf t`bs kjssndj ns pnrt oa n puhibc ijcturj sjrbjs spomsorjf hy
`bs c`urc`.
COMCJXMSFr. Forbnmb bmfbcntjs `bs kngor comcjrm nt t`j hjdbmmbmd oa t`j kjssndj7
`jipbmd ot`jrs nppiy t`j dospji to t`jbr jxpjrbjmcj oa nhusj w`bij mot jmcour-
ndbmd n crbppibmd vbctbk kjmtnibty bm t`jk or bm bksjia. @j nffs t`nt j nbks
to jqubp pnstors to kbmbstjr to pjopij w`o nvj suaajrjf p`ysbcni, jkotbomni,
or vjrhni vboijmcj. Vo fo t`bs `j sjjes to hj jkpnt`jtbc wbt` vbctbks wbt`out
hjcokbmd knufibm, nmf truj to `bksjia wbt`out hjbmd bmsjmsbtbvj to t`osj
>. Fr. Fnm Forbnmb `ns pnstorjf c`urc`js bm \jmmsyivnmbn nmf Kbssourb, hjjm n proajssor nt
Djmjvn Coiijdj nmf Covjmnmt Sjkbmnry, nmf nut`orjf tjm hooes, bmciufbmd t`rjj cokkjmtnrbjs(Kntt`jw, Gnkjs, nmf V`j Sjrkom om t`j Koumt), two hooes om ankbiy nmf djmfjr (V`j Ibaj oa nDof-Knfj Knmnmf Tokjm nmf Kbmbstry), nmf t`rjj om Hbhij bmtjrprjtntbom (\uttbmd t`j Vrut` toTore, Djttbmd t`j Kjssndj, nmf Hjyomf t`j Sncrjf \ndj).
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
36/53
30 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
w`o jxpjrbjmcj nmf procjss nhusj fbaajrjmtiy. @j bs cnrjaui to spjcbay t`j
mnturj oa t`j nhusj `j jxpjrbjmcjf nmf to fbrjct t`osj w`o `nvj jxpjrbjmcjf
ot`jr aorks oa nhusj to ot`jr sourcjs oa jip. @j wnmts to hj omjst nhout bspnbm w`bij propjriy `omorbmd `bs pnrjmts, s`owbmd fjajrjmcj aor t`jbr owm
fbaabcuitbjs, nmf yjt cijnriy bfjmtbaybmd t`jbr sbm nmf cuipnhbibty. Abmniiy, `j
wnmts to provbfj sokj hbhibcni dubfnmcj aor t`osj gourmjybmd t`roud` rjcoi-
ijctjf pnbm, prjsjmt s`nkj, nmf rjsbfuni nmdjr.
N\\XONC@
V`j a brst `nia oa t`j kjssndj bs hbodrnp`bcni nmf bmtjmsjiy `omjst nhout t`jp`ysbcni nmf vjrhni nhusj Forbnmb nmf `bs hrot`jr jmfurjf. V`osj w`o emow
Forbnmb emow t`nt t`bs s`nrbmd oa pjrsomni pnbm bs ntypbcni, nmf bm vnrbous
wnys `j rjvjnis `bs struddij to knbmtnbm `bs owm sjmsj oa knmibmjss w`bij
ncemowijfdbmd n pnbmaui pnst nmf bts jaajcts om `bk. Bm t`j hjst sjmsj, `j
oaajrs rjfjkptbvj vuimjrnhbibty, hjbmd trnmspnrjmt nhout bs suaajrbmd bm orfjr
to kbmbstjr t`j dospji rnt`jr t`nm kjrjiy soibcbt sykpnt`y.
V`j sjcomf `nia oa t`j kjssndj pobmts townrf hbhibcni pnt`s oa `jnibmd.
Sokj oa t`j dospji trut`s nffrjssjf nrj ns surprbsbmd ns t`jy nrj bmsbd`taui
nmf mjcjssnry. Forbnmb fojs mot s`y nwny arok t`j mjjf aor vbctbks to comajss
sbmaui rjspomsjs nmf dbvj t`nmes aor ibaj prjsjrvjf, ns wjii ns t`j mjjf to
inkjmt nwaui pnsts nmf to aordbvj nhusjrs. V`bs pnstor hrnvjiy ncemowijfdjs
t`nt mo omj cnm abmf spbrbtuni w`oijmjss wbt`out ijttbmd do oa pnbm, s`nkj,
nmf nmdjr nmf `j `omjstiy comajssjs `ow fbaabcuit bt bs aor jvjm n pnstor to
fo so. V`bs kjssndj bs mot kjnmt to hj n abmni worf, n cokprj`jmsbvj dubfj,
or n coumsjibmd suhstbtutj5 rnt`jr, bt bs n wbmfow bmto omj pjrsoms jxpjrbjmcj
t`nt jmcourndjs ot`jrs to jmtjr sbkbinr foors to hjdbm fjnibmd hbhibcniiy wbt`
t`jbr owm `urt.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
37/53
V@JKJSSNDJ
QBOIJMCJNMF@O\JFnmbji Forbnmb
Aor w`jrj your trjnsurj bs, t`jrj your `jnrt wbii hj niso.
Kntt`jw 178>
N \jrsomni Xjaijctbom om Qboijmcj8
Spnmebmds stnmf nt t`j cjmtjr oa ky abrst two kjkorbjs. Bm t`j abrst, B nk vjry
youmd. B fjabjf ky kot`jr nmf ejpt pinybmd wbt` t`j emohs om our ebtc`jm
stovj, so B fjsjrvjf `jr fbscbpibmj. Bm t`j sjcomf, B nk aour. B nk `bfbmd bm
ky kot`jrs ciosjt aor n iomd tbkj, crybmd, trybmd to ant`ok w`nt B fbf wromd,
w`y ky ant`jr `bt kj so nrf, nmf w`y bt `urt so kuc`. Bt tooe kj knmy yjnrs
to rjnibzj t`nt t`jsj spnmebmds wjrj nctuniiy hjntbmds. Hut hy t`j tbkj B wns
sjvjm, B emjw t`nt spnmebmds wjrj t`j ijnst oa ky prohijks. V`jrj nrj t`bmds
t`nt `urt anr korj t`nm n stbce or n hjit.
T`nt \nstors Mjjf to EmowB nttjmfjf c`urc` jvjry wjje aor fjcnfjs hjaorj B `jnrf n pnstor knej nmy-
t`bmd hut n pnssbmd rjajrjmcj to vboijmcj bm t`j `okj. Nmf w`jm B abmniiy fbf
`jnr n kjssndj, bt fbfmt cokj wbt`bm n ibd`t-yjnr oa nffrjssbmd ky jxpjrbjmcj.
Bt bs jstbkntjf t`nt t`rjj kbiibom Nkjrbcnm kjm p`ysbcniiy nhusj t`jbrwbvjs jnc` yjnr. Jxpjrts sny t`nt sjxuni nhusj bs korj cokkom t`nm orfb-
mnry p`ysbcni nhusj. Coumsjiors sokjtbkjs jstbkntj t`nt mjnriy `nia oa t`j
popuintbom `ns jxpjrbjmcjf sokj aork oa p`ysbcni, vjrhni, jkotbomni, or
sjxuni nhusj. Jvjm ba wj supposj t`nt coumsjiors nrj umfuiy bmaiujmcjf hy
t`jbr proajssbom, nmf wj `nivj or jvjm qunrtjr t`j mukhjr, n sjrbous pnstorni
prohijk rjknbms. Cijnriy, pnstors mjjf to hj nhij to nffrjss t`j prohijk oa
vboijmcj vbsbtjf om c`bifrjm nmf wokjm (possbhiy jvjm kjm). Tj t`bme abrst
8. B t`nme ajiiow pnstors Ciny Skbt` nmf Xohhbj Drbdds nmf arbjmfs Susnm V`okns nmf IymmKorrbssjy aor t`jbr cnrjaui rjvbjw oa t`bs kjssndj. V`jbr jyjs strjmdt`jmjf bt t`joiodbcniiy nmfdrnkkntbcniiy. B nk drntjaui aor t`jbr bmsbd`ts hut rjspomsbhij aor ky owm jrrors.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
38/53
6< \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
oa t`j pnstor ns coumsjior. Kost w`o nrj currjmtiy suaajrbmd vboijmcj mjjf
jmcourndjkjmt to hjibjvj t`nt t`jbr pnstor wbii ibstjm nmf tnej t`jk sjrbousiy
ba t`jy cokj to t`j oaabcj. Nmf kost nvj ajw bfjns nmf ibttij fbrjctbom ns t`jysjje to umfjrstnmf t`jbr pnst nmf to abmf `jnibmd arok bt.
B hjibjvj pnstors s`ouif niso emow `ow to nffrjss bm sjrkoms t`j bssuj oa
vboijmcj. Ky comcjrm `jrj bs to jqubp pnstors to kbmbstjr to pjopij w`o `nvj
suaajrjf p`ysbcni, jkotbomni, or vjrhni vboijmcj. B fjscrbhj aour `jnibmd tnses
bm t`bs kjssndj nmf urdj pnstors to kjmtbom t`jk w`jm t`jy nffrjss t`j proh-
ijk oa vboijmcj. Nm nffbtbomni purposj bs to urdj c`urc`js to hj korj `omjst
nhout t`j fnrejst rjcjssjs oa ibaj. Knmy c`urc`js nmf knmy towms nrj auii oa
comabfjmt, cokpjtjmt pjopij w`o nrj korj hroejm t`nm wj emow or nfkbt.
Tj fomt ibj, hut wj nrjmt trnmspnrjmtiy `omjst or trut`aui jbt`jr.
Vo cokpoumf t`j c`niijmdj, ot`jrs w`o nrj mot currjmtiysuaajrbmd cnrry
fjjp woumfs nmf yjt, umfjrstnmfnhiy, wnmt to aordjt t`jbr pnst. V`bs bs truj
aor sjvjrni rjnsoms. Abrst, w`jm t`j vboijmcj occurs, n drjnt mukhjr oa pjopij
jmfurj t`j worst hiows hy fbsjmdndbmd or fbssocbntbmd arok t`jbr owm jxpj-
rbjmcjs. V`jy stnmf outsbfj t`jksjivjs5 t`jy kny ajji ibej spjctntors, ns ba
t`j frjnfaui jvjmts nrj `nppjmbmd to sokjomj jisj. Bm orfjr to survbvj t`jbr
orfjnis, t`jy ijnrm to ajji mot`bmd. Ns n rjsuit, natjr t`j vboijmcj jmfs, w`jm
t`jy jscnpj, bts possbhij to prjtjmf t`nt mot`bmd `nppjmjf. Ba n kjkory sur-
ancjs, t`jy t`bme, T`y hrbmd t`nt up ndnbm? Bts ovjr. Bts hjttjr to aordjt bt
nmf kovj om. Bts too pnbmaui to rjkjkhjr.
Sjcomf, t`j woumfjf nrj oatjm comausjf or ns`nkjf hy t`jbr suaajrbmd.
V`jy womfjr, @ow fbf B djt bmto t`bs posbtbom? Nk B n aooi? Fbf B fo sokj-
t`bmd to fjsjrvj t`bs? V`jy niso nccusj t`jksjivjs7 Ba B wjrj n hjttjr wbaj Un
hjttjr c`bif[, `j wouifmt fo t`bs to kj. Ba B nvobfjf t`j t`bmds t`nt sjt `bk
oaa, ba B wjrj pjrajct, jvjryt`bmd wouif hj nii rbd`t. Jvjm ba pjopij ovjrcokj
t`nt t`oud`t, t`jy kny hj ns`nkjf oa t`jbr pnst.
Bt cnm hj `ukbibntbmd to comajss t`nt omj cnkj arok n vboijmt nmf c`notbc
`okj. Sjxuni nhusj cnm hj jspjcbniiy cokpibcntjf nmf fbaabcuit to ovjrcokj5
rnt`jr t`nm rbse bmnccurntj djmjrnibzntboms, B rjajr rjnfjrs to V`j Toumfjf
@jnrt hy Fnm Niijmfjr.3V`j cnsunitbjs oa ankbiy hnttijs cnm hj arbd`tjmjf
hy t`jbr ajnr nmf `jipijssmjss or hy t`jbr nmdjr nmf frjnks oa rjvjmdj. V`j
hobibmd pot oa ajnr, nmdjr, s`nkj, nmf sjia-rjcrbkbmntbom ijnf t`j woumfjf
pnrty to t`bme bts jnsbjr to aordjt, jnsbjr to prjtjmf t`nt mot`bmd `nppjmjf.
3. Fnm Niijmfjr, V`j Toumfjf @jnrt7 @opj aor Nfuit Qbctbks oa C`bif`oof Nhusj (CoiornfoSprbmds7 Mnv\rjss, >22:).
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
39/53
C@BIFNHZSJ 6>
V`brf, ba n suaajrjr s`ouif fjcbfj to spjne oa t`j pnst, pjopij arok `jnit y
`okjs cnm hj sejptbcni. Aor korj t`nm omj rjnsom, B ijat `okj w`jm B wns sbx-
tjjm. Ovjr t`j mjxt abvj yjnrs, B trbjf to tjii aour or abvj ciosj arbjmfs or kjmtorsgust n ibttij oa ky story. V`jbr rjnctboms, hot` vjrhni nmf p`ysbcni, provjf t`nt
t`jy fbf mot couif mot abmf n wny to hjibjvj kj. V`jsj wjrj ky hjst arbjmfs,
bmciufbmd t`j woknm w`o intjr hjcnkj ky iovbmd wbaj. Bm rjtrospjct, B umfjr-
stnmf w`y t`jy fouhtjf kj. Zmtbi B hjdnm to s`nrj t`jsj t`bmds nhout kysjia,
t`jrj wns mot`bmd bm ky pjrsomn t`nt aorjs`nfowjf ky story. Sbmcj ky `bd`
sc`ooi yjnrs, B nvj progjctjf comabfjmcj too kuc` comabfjmcj, ba nmyt`bmd. Vo
protjct kysjia, B `nf ijnrmjf to progjct n cjrtnbm toud`mjss, knyhj jvjm mnstbmjss
(jspjcbniiy hjaorj ky comvjrsbom), so pjopij wouif t`bme twbcj hjaorj kjssbmd
wbt` kj. B fbfmt cokj ncross ns n hnttjrjf or s`nttjrjf pjrsom. B wnsmt om t j
aioor wjjpbmd nmf cowjrbmd, so ky story knfj mo sjmsj to morkni pjopij.
Jvjm tofny, w`jm wj nrj anr korj nwnrj oa t`j prohijk oa fokjstbc
vboijmcj, knmy pjopij nrj siow to hjibjvj nccusntboms, jspjcbniiy ba t`j omj
rjportbmd t`jk sjjks to hj abmj. Nmf knmy oa us fo sjjk `jnit`y. Tj aumc-
tbom wjii. Tj fomt iooe fjprjssjf or vuimjrnhij. T`jm wj tjii t`j trut`, wj
cnm djt iooes oa hinme fbshjibja. Tj cnm `nvj nccusntboms `urijf nt us7 T`y
wouif you knej up suc` tjrrbhij storbjs nhout your pnrjmts? V`nmeauiiy,
sokj fo ibstjm. Sokj ibstjm cokpnssbomntjiy, nmf ot`jrs `jnr nmf hjcokjnfvocntjs aor nwnrjmjss nmf c`nmdj.
Nt t`bs kokjmt bm our cuiturj, n cjrtnbm sort oa pjrsom wnmts to hnrj t`j
soui nmf nii bts woumfs. N inrdjr droup ibejs to wntc` t`j trnbm wrjce, t`j or-
rbhij jmtjrtnbmkjmt oa ibvjs coiibfbmd nt `bd` spjjfs. Nmot`jr droup wntc`js
bm t`j `opj oa umfjrstnmfbmd t`jbr owm kbsjrbjs. Ot`jrs nrj fbsdustjf wbt`
t`j fbspiny. Om t`j ot`jr `nmf, to hj cnmfbf, nt t`j kost vbscjrni ijvji, B fomt
rjsomntjwbt` t`j wnbibmd nmf inkjmtntbom. Jkotbomniiy or fbsposbtbomniiy, B
s`nrj t`j kbmf-sjt oa t`joiodbnm Fnvbf Tjiis, w`o bs wjnry oa jkotbomnibsk.Kjm usjf to hj stromd nmf stobcni, `j snys, hut mow7
V`jy `nvj hjjm rjfucjf to `uddbmd nmf wjjpbmd. V`jbr sjmsj oa sjia, ns nrjsuit, bs coma ibctjf, comausjf, nmf jvnporntbmd . . . Nkjrbcn `ns hjcokj n
vjry sjmsbtbvj mntbom. V`jrj bs niwnys sokjomj `jrj w`o cnm hj oaajmfjf. . . Arok nii oa t`bs `ns nrbsjm n husy nmf vjry proabtnhij bmfustry oa `jni-jrs, comsuitnmts, drbja coumsjiors, wrbtjrs nmf vnrbous ot`jr purvjyors oacokaort to t`j arndbij nmf naaibctjf . . . Bm Nkjrbcn, wj `nvj . . . korjcoumsjiors t`nm ibhrnrbnms.6
6. Fnvbf Tjiis, V`j Courndj to Hj \rotjstnmt7 Vrut`-Iovjrs,Knrejtjrs, nmf Jkjrdjmts bm t`j\ostkofjrm Torif (Drnmf Xnpbfs7 Jjrfknms, 8
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
40/53
68 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
B bmstbmctbvjiy ndrjj wbt` Tjiiss fjrbsbom oa nm umwnrrnmtjf sjmsj oa
woumfjfmjss nmf oa jx`bhbtbombstbc jkotbomni fbspinys. Jvjryomj sjjks to
`nvj n tnij oa psyc`bc hiows. B emow t`nt ky mjxt rjknre wbii sjjk bmsjmsbtbvj,mnbvj, or worsj, hut B nk cokpjiijf to sny t`nt sokj pjopij jxnddjrntj t`jbr
suaajrbmd bm orfjr to dnbm sykpnt`y nmf to vbiinbmbzj nmot`jr pjrsom. V`bs bs
jspjcbniiy ibejiy to occur w`jm n knrrbndj bs hrjnebmd up, hut pjopij sjjk to
jxnddjrntj c`bif`oof prohijks too. \jopij nvj toif kj, wbt` nppnrjmt sbmcjr-
bty, t`nt t`jy nrj scnrrjf hjcnusj t`jbr pnrjmts yjiijf nt t`jk abvj tbkjs furbmd
t`jbr c`bif`oof. Bt bs mot nhusj ba n kot`jr omcj snys, Rou nrj motn prbmcjss,
or n ant`jr omcj fjcinrjs, Fo your okjwore, inzy homjs. B hjibjvj bt bs sbmaui
to yjii nt n c`bif. Aurt`jr, gust ns n sbmdij sjmtjmcj oa prnbsj, spoejm nt t`j rbd`ttbkj nmf bm t`j rbd`t wny, cnm hijss sokjomj aor yjnrs, so too n s`nrp crbtbcbsk,
crnatjf to woumf, cnm stbmd aor yjnrs. Momjt`jijss, B `jsbtntj to cnii n `nmfaui
oa umebmf worfs nhusj. Nii nhusj bs sbmaui, hut mot nii sbm bs nhusbvj.
N Torf nhout TorfsSo anr, B `nvj nvobfjf t`j tjrk vbctbknmf `nvj spoejm oa nhusj spnrbmdiy
hjcnusj t`j tjrks cnm hj ovjrusjf umtbi t`jy iosj t`jbr kjnmbmd. Bs jvjryomj
n vbctbk? V`j prohijk wbt` anisj c`nrdjs oa nhusj bs t`nt t`jy knej trujsuaajrjrs sjjk ijss crjfbhij nmf knej t`jk korj rjiuctnmt to spjne. Sokj
pjopij comausj pnpjr cuts wbt` s`nttjrjf ajkurs. Sjia-bmfuidjmt or knmbpuin-
tbvj wnbibmd knejs bt fbaabcuit to `jnr t`osj w`o truiy nrj hroejm.
Aor jvjryomj w`o ainumts n woumf, sjvjrni prjtjmf t`nt mot`bmd `np-
pjmjf. Sokj hury t`jbr kjkorbjs. Aor ot`jrs, t`j hiows rjknbm too rnw, too
pnbmaui, jvjm to comtjkpintj. V`jy sny, Fnf wns n kjnm frume, nmf Kok
couifmt comtroi `bk. B ijat `okj nmf kovjf om wbt` ky ibaj5 B fomt wnmt
to rjkjkhjr. V`jm sokjt`bmd `nppjms. V`j suturjs hrjne opjm, nmf btsbkpossbhij to bdmorj t`j hroejm aijs`.
V`j c`urc` bs n socbjty oa sbmmjrs, n socbjty oa t`j hroejm. Hut bts niso n
socbjty t`nt strbvjs aor oibmjss. Voo oatjm our qujst aor drowt`, aor w`oijmjss nmf
`oibmjss, fbspincjs t`j mjjf to comajss our sbm nmf hroejmmjss. Bt bs doof to strbvj
aor C`rbst nmf to hj C`rbstibej. Bt bs doof to drow bm drncj. Tj rbd`tiy fjsbrj
t`jsj t`bmds, hut sokjtbkjs wj ajji prjssurj (or prjss oursjivjs) to rjportt`nt
wj nrj fobmd wjii. Snfiy, nm jxcjssbvj fjsbrj to knej n doof rjport ijnfs us to
sny wjrj korj `jnit`y nmf `oiy t`nm wj rjniiy nrj. V`jrj bs korj hroejmmjssbm t`j c`urc`, korj hroejmmjss bm c`urc` ijnfjrs, korj hroejmmjss bm you nmf
kj, t`nm wj cnrj to nfkbt. Tj ajnr t`j comsjqujmcjs oa truj `omjsty.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
41/53
C@BIFNHZSJ 63
V`j tjrks nhusjnmf vbctbkcnm cnusj nffbtbomni prohijks. B `nvj aoumf
t`nt nhusjknejs sokj pjopij t`bme oa sjxuni vboijmcj, w`jm p`ysbcni, vjrhni,
nmf jkotbomni crujity `nvj sbkbinr fjstructbvj powjr.Korj bkportnmt, B rjausjf to t`bme oa kysjia ns n vbctbk. V`j worf, t`j
comcjpt, ajit so rjpudmnmt t`nt bt bkpjfjf ky jaaorts to rjaijct om ky pnst. B
t`oud`t, B nk mot n vbctbk. Qnmbty wns pnrt oa bt5 B nk too prouf to t`bme
oa kysjia ns fjajntjf prjy. Hjyomf t`nt, vbctbks nrj pnssbvj, nmf ky hrot`jr
nmf B wjrj mot pnssbvj.:Tj rjsbstjf5 wj aoud`t hnce, `owjvjr wj couif. Tj
pinmmjf jscnpj routjs bm cnsj wj `nf to aijj, nmf wj ibatjf wjbd`ts bm cnsj wj
`nf to abd`t. Tj stufbjf t`j jmjkys koofs5 sokjtbkjs wj provoejf `bk,
hjcnusj wj emjw wj couif. Nhovj nii, wj wjrj mjbt`jr cowjf mor `ukbibntjf.N drjnt knmy oa t`j pjopij you kbd t cnii vbctbks ajji t`j snkj wny. Tj nrj
mot vbctbks5 wj nrj c`bifrjm oa wnr w`o aoud`t nmf survbvjf.
N Sibvjr oa Ky StoryKy rjaijctboms womt knej cokpijtj sjmsj umijss B tjii n sibvjr oa ky story. B
drjw up bm n `okj knrejf hy p`ysbcni, vjrhni, nmf jkotbomni nhusj. Ovjr t`j
yjnrs, ky ant`jr `bt us wbt` `bs `nmfs, wbt` hjits, wbt` corfs, wbt` stbces
w`ntjvjr wns nvnbinhij to sntbsay t`j urdj. @j fjstroyjf our anvorbtj possjs-
sboms. Nt tbkjs, `j rjausjf to dbvj us propjr kjfbcni cnrj, cnusbmd us sjrbous
fnmdjr nt ijnst twbcj. @j t`rjntjmjf to ebii us tbkj wbt`out mukhjr. Om two
occnsboms, `j nctuniiy fbf try jbt`jr to bmgurj or ebii ky oifjr hrot`jr. V`jsj
jvjmts ijf us to tnej `bs nmdrbjst fjnt` t`rjnts sjrbousiy. Korj t`nm omcj wj
`nf to aijj our `ousj, sokjtbkjs bmto arjjzbmd wbmtjr rnbm wjnrbmd mot`bmd
hut gjnms nmf n V-s`brt. Vnebmd s`jitjr umfjr n mjnrhy hrbfdj, wj wjbd`jf t`j
fnmdjrs oa `ypot`jrkbn ndnbmst t`j fnmdjr oa `bs dum, aor wj fnrjf mot tjii
t`j trut` to n arbjmf or n mjbd`hor or nm nut`orbty.
T`jm B wns sjvjm, `j fbf sokjt`bmd so pobmtijss bm bts knibcj t`nt B snw
wbt` pjrajct cinrbty7 t`j knm wnmtsto bmaibct p`ysbcni nmf jkotbomni pnbm
om kj. B fjcbfjf B wouifmt ijt `bk. B vowjf to hjcokj `nrf, jkotbomniiy
bkpjrvbous to bs crujity7 B wbii hj nrf. B wbii mjvjr ijt bk urt kj ndnbm.
Bt wns n prjpostjrous vow aor n sjvjm-yjnr-oif, hut B wns jnrmjst, nmf hy t`j
tbkj B wns tjm, B `nf cnutjrbzjf kost oa t`j mjrvjs t`nt ajji jkotbomni s`oce
nmf pnbm. T`jm `j fbf sokjt`bmd knijvoijmt, B ajit mot`bmd.
:. Bm anct, B `nvj two hrot`jrs, hut omj bs kuc` youmdjr. @bs c`bif`oof wns fbaabcuit, hut ourant`jr fbf mot suhgjct `bk to p`ysbcni or vjrhni vboijmcj.
8/3/2019 The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times by Bryan Chapell
42/53
66 \XJNC@BMD BMXJS\OMSJVO VXNDJFR
V`bs nhsjmcj oa ajjibmd bs cokkom. Knmy knej sbkbinr vows, jspjcbniiy
vbctbks oa sjxuni vboijmcj. V`jy survbvj bmtoijrnhij nhusj hy ajjibmd mot`bmd.
B wbs` B nf cokpijtjiy sjvjrjf t`j cnpncbty to ajji pnbm, hut t`j knm rjni-bzjf t`nt `j stbii `nf kj bm omj nrjn vjrhni nhusj. @j wns n sop`bstbcntj bm
t`j worif oa bmsuits. @j toif us wj wjrj wort`ijss, `jipijss, `opjijss, spbmj-
ijss, hut nhovj nii, usjijss. @j snbf bt wbt` comtjkpt, vobcj trnbibmd fowmwnrf7
V`jyrj usjijss, nhso