Biblical Preaching

What do we mean by an idea? A glance at the dictionary
demonstrates that defining an idea is like packaging fog. A
complete answer would send us into the broad fields of philosophy,
linguistics, and grammar. Webster ranges all the way
from "a transcendent entity that is a real pattern of which
existing things are imperfect representations" to "an entity
(as a thought, concept, sensation or image) actually or potentially
present to consciousness."
The word idea itself moved into English from the Greek
word eido, which means "to see" and therefore "to know."
An idea sometimes enables us to see what was previously
unclear. In common life when an explanation provides new
insight, we exclaim, "Oh, I see what you mean!" Still another
synonym for idea is concept, which comes from the verb "to
conceive." Just as a sperm and egg join in the womb to pro-
What's the Big Idea?
was both inductive and deductive. First Paul draws from his
own life an example of care for the church, then he warns in
verse 28, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock"
(NASB). Having stated that central thought, Paul goes on to
explain and apply that idea to the leaders seated before him.
While not all the sermons in Acts develop in the same way,
each focuses on a central unifying concept.
If we preach effectively, we must know what we are about.
Effective sermons major in biblical ideas brought together
into an overarching unity. Having thought God's thoughts
after Him, the expositor communicates and applies those
thoughts to his hearers. In dependence upon the Holy Spirit,
he aims to confront, convict, convert, and comfort men and
women through the preaching of biblical concepts. He knows
people shape their lives and settle their eternal destinies in
response to ideas.
The Definition of an Idea