Great Sermon Title
This goes out to all those who practice our ancient craft. So it’s the second Sunday in Lent, right? You say you’re doing the Nicodemus story, and you’re looking for a good sermon title?
I got your sermon title.
I wish I had thought of this title myself, but I didn’t. So I’ll have to tell the story and give credit where credit is due.
A few years ago I was in a lectionary study group with some ministers here in town. Mostly Presbyterians. There was one other Baptist. He has since left town and is now the pastor of this church. Among the Presbyterians were the pastor of this church and this church. We met every week to talk about things and share sermon ideas.
It was the second Sunday in Lent, and Lib says, "If you’re doing Nicodemus this week, I’ve got the perfect sermon title.”
Everyone turns to look at her. Now me, I don't worry that much about sermon titles as a general rule. If the sermon is interesting, challenging, and well delivered, who cares about the title? And if it is none of those things, a good title isn’t going to help. But yeah, a nice title is kind of cool. She had my attention.
She looks at us like she’s about to tell the world’s greatest joke. “You ready?” she asks. We all nod. "Yeah, yeah, we’re ready."
“Nick at Night.”
Gasps, moans, laughter, heads nodding with admiration.
Now I would imagine that only practitioners of the esoteric art of preaching will fully understand this, but just hearing that title can open up a whole line of thinking for a preacher. Maybe you hear that title and suddenly the element of darkness and light in that story begins to take hold in your spirit. It could change your whole sermon.
Seriously, that is one EXCELLENT sermon title.
“I’m definitely using it,” I said. “Not this year, but someday. The next time I preach from that story, that will be the title."
It’s been a few years, but here we are in year A again, and it’s the second Sunday in Lent. The title of my sermon this week is, “Nick at Night.”
Thanks Lib!
rlp
ps – want another great one? Next time you’re preaching from Luke 10:38-42, how about naming the sermon, “Mary and Martha Stewart.”
Kaching!
Visit the Nick at Nite Website
8:53:35 PM 
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