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Mistakes in my preaching

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by SmalltownPastor, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. SmalltownPastor

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    I'm saddened over the fact that I've said many wrong things in the midst of preaching. I don't believe I've made any weighty theological errors, but sometimes I later learn in my study that something I said in a sermon was wrong. For example, last week I mentioned that after the flood, God said that the number of days of man would be 80 years (I was going from memory, but I was confident of the number, so I said it). But looking up today, I see that I was wrong about the number. It was 120 years. I confused the verse with Psalm 90:10, which says that the years of our lives are seventy, or eighty if we have the strength.

    That's the only example I can think of right now, but I know that I make these kinds of mistakes from time to time. I do a lot of fact checking before preaching, but sometimes I think I remember something while preaching that adds to the point, and while I usually have my facts straight even in these, sometimes I don't. Should I just stick to my notes? Does this happen to you? What do you do when you've made this kind of mistake?
     
  2. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    You're human, just like the rest of us. Accept the fact that we will make mistakes. What we do afterwards matters. I would suggest, when possible, admit the mistake and explain the correction.

    Sticking to our notes may help, but that assumes that our notes are correct.

    Study carefully. Do our best to be rightly handling the Word. Be humble enough to accept mistakes and do what we can to make it right. Move on. Throughout the process be in prayer and be thankful for God's faithfulness to teach us as His children.
     
  3. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    Uh, Genesis 6:3 is not saying that man's age will be 120 years after the flood. Genesis 6:3 was given prior to the flood. God was telling Noah that he would not destroy the earth for an additional 120 years giving Noah time to preach, gather the material for and build the ark, and bring in the animals.

    Genesis 6:1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.

    3 And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
     
  4. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    Join the club, brother! Whether you preach with or without notes, you'll make mistakes and mis speak. When you make a mistake, correct it in the same venue as you made it (make a mistake on Sunday morning, correct it the next Sunday morning). Only the Bible is inerrant, not us.
     
  5. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    The only way to preach without making any mistakes is to not preach at all!

    If it is a small error, (Like I would consider this one) Ignore it, unless your consience tells you REALLY need to correct it at the next sermon. You'll have to decide on this...I would say only correct major errors. Or, if it is something small you feel you must address, if you have a church-wide e-mail list, or website that is used, you could type up a little correcting and send it out.
     
  6. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Iv'e nev3r mad a misteak whyll preeching.

    But I du lie a lot.

    :smilewinkgrin:

    Usually if it is a minor one I will just leave in in the Lord's hands, but if it is something that needs a public comment to fix, I will take care of it in the next meeting.
     
  7. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    Guess what Augustine's last (or one of his last) books was called????
     
  8. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    I made the same mistake about the 120 years and had to make that correction. The other day I was corrected by a Greek student that I was mispronouncing Logos. I gave it a Southern slant with long o's not knowing that the "o" is pronounced more like "ah." Not only do we make mistakes but our interpretation can change or evolve as we learn and grow. I used to preach that Cain's gift was rejected because of his attitude. But, I have come to believe that Cain's gift was rejected, more so, because it was not a blood sacrifice.
     
  9. idonthavetimeforthis

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    I know what you mean. I use to preach that one could forfeit their salvation. Thankfully, I lost my security in that particular denomination and found my security in Christ. :godisgood:
     
  10. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Only a perfect man makes no mistakes and there was only one of those who ever existed.
     
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Last month when I preached, I thought I was wrong about about point # 2c - but I was mistaken
     
  12. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Am I the only one who learns about his mistakes from his wife? (But of course she's also my best listener.) Dad and Mom were the same way. :smilewinkgrin:
     
  13. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    My sons now preach my own sermons back at me.
     
  14. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Makes you more aware of the content after the fact, I'm sure.
     
  15. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    So I'm in good company!! Pastor's wives unite!!!
     
  16. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    And the pastor's wife is usually right! :thumbsup:
     
  17. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Stumbled across this thread by accident. Our pastor frequently says immorality when the text reads immortality. That definitely gets your attention!

    i.e. [substitute immorality in the verse below]

    6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:
    7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
     
  18. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    I have found that mistakes keep me humble and lets the congregation know that I am human. I've made my share of them in and out of the pulpit over the years.
     
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