Clarity Podcast – Ep. 1 – Larry Osborne on Dripping Wisdom

• Was Larry the 10-year-old that was preaching to the family dog? | 2:42
• What makes a ‘Larry Osborne’ sermon? | 5:36
• Preaching can be like putting out a buffet, not a banquet | 9:03
• Instructing in Christian living using the Bible as your only authority| 14:22
• Breaking down Chocolate Covered Arrogance | 20:18
• Those that are new to your church are going to copy what they see – set an example | 24:29
• Larry’s advice for new pastors and preachers | 29:04

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

CHECK THE FRUIT, NOT THE WATERING SCHEDULE

If the fruit is good, keep watering like you are. And if it’s not that great Google watering schedule! It’s not hard to take a self-inventory of the fruit that you’re reaping, and it’s something that’s very important. When you’re working on a message, make sure you’re aware of the “soil” that the Word of God is falling on (the “congregation’s” openness to the message and how you’re preparing them for it.). At the end of the day, it’s the Holy Spirit that is taking the Word and applying it to people’s lives.

PREACHING CAN BE LIKE PUTTING OUT A BUFFET, NOT A BANQUET

It is often more helpful to “drip” spiritual truth in 20 times throughout the year, rather than creating a message that “nails” it one time. It will have more impact! People are just looking for a healthy meal; if you’re constantly putting out a “banquet” (where you constantly tying little pieces together, make a lot of points, and intricating things that can be explained easily), it’ll make them fat and it’ll burn you out. Think about the important things that you should be saying a million times in sound bites so they can take it away and apply it.

DISCIPLESHIP IS LOOKING TO NEXT STEP OF OBEDIENCE

Every sermon should end in a “so-what” that leads to a greater understanding of obedience. As a preacher, you are aiming to form disciples pointing them towards the next step of obedience that they can take.

FIND YOUR OWN AUTHENTIC VOICE

When you’re finding your voice, only listen to preachers that administer to your heart, not ones that simply draw a crowd. You can’t help but pick up nuances and phrases from people that you’ve chosen to influence you. And if’s not speaking to you, and you’re only listening because of their congregation size, you’re going to end up being a worse “you”, and an even worse “them”. You are influenced by who you listen to, so chose wisely and carefully. Think about this checklist as you move into becoming a better preacher:
1 // You shouldn’t be everything to everybody,
2 // You have nothing to improve and no one to impress,
3 // Just teach people how to live the Christian Life using the Bible as your only authority.

SHOW NOTES

Welcome to the launch episode of Clarity! Today we sit down with Larry Osborne, one of the Lead Pastors (or one of the Teaching Pastors) at North Coast Church in California for a number of years. Larry has the gift of electrifying clarity and you will be challenged and enlightened in this conversation. Larry is the author of books such as Sticky Teams and Lead Like a Shepherd (Among many others. Click the button below to see more). Join us today as we get insightful wisdom “soundbites” from this mentor and coach.