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My Homiletic Swimming Pool, Timothy Tow - Online Christian Library

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sermon. Love covers the two others, and Love is that which remains<br />

unto eternity. In heaven, hope is consummated, so hope is not<br />

needed. By way of illustration, the Jews, for two thousand years<br />

would say goodbye to one another with the added wish, “Next year<br />

in Jerusalem”. When they achieved Statehood on May 14, 1948, they<br />

have no need to say next year in Jerusalem when all Jews can come<br />

and settle in Jerusalem with a warm welcome by the State. There is<br />

no need to say “Next year in Jerusalem”. Their hope is now fulfilled.<br />

A four-point sermon takes the shape of the cross with its four<br />

pointers. And a five-point sermon, the utmost limit, can take the<br />

shape of the star of Solomon. Beyond this, it will be hard to retain<br />

the facts in the memory. Besides, in every “pointed” sermon, there<br />

may be sub-points. Simplification is the essence of every sermon. To<br />

be safe, I think it is best to limit yourself to four points.<br />

Once I preached in the Shepherds’ Field, Bethlehem, on “The<br />

Three Wisemen.” The first brought gold, the second brought<br />

frankincense and the third brought myrrh. And humorously, I added a<br />

fourth wiseman in myself. Having come from the Far East, and<br />

having nothing, I brought myself. That was the fourth point and<br />

climax of my sermon. A four-point sermon you can never miss!<br />

The Different Structures of a Sermon<br />

75

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