Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, April 6, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999, 2000, and 2001 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

GIVE ME AN "AMEN," SOMEBODY!

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:23-36

Text: 1 Chronicles 16:26

1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

Introduction: Give me an "amen," somebody! That's the title of this morning's message. It is the appeal of many preachers, in such forms as:

"Amen?" After a statement that should bring a response.
"Can you say 'Amen'?"
"Let me hear an 'Amen'!"
"Say 'Amen' right there!"

I think you know that I'm going to preach my heart out with or without your vocal "amen."

However, we have seen a sad transition in our churches:

From hymns to country western music and rock music;
From the fear of God to foolishness and frivolity
From holiness to Hollywood
From praise to performance
From "amens" to applause

Listen the words "clap" or "clapped" show up in the Bible in 8 verses, and half of those are in reference to showing disapproval and shame! On the other hand, the Bible uses the word "amen" in 72 verses!

As with most words, there is more than one definition to "amen."

I. THE AMEN OF PRINCIPLE (A DECLARATION)

I believe that!
That's the TRUTH!
It is a declaration of agreement

Psalms 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

It shows you

A. Are in fellowship with the Master

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

B. Are following the message

If a preacher hears an "amen" he feels that you understand and agree
If he does NOT hear an amen after an important statement, he may feel that you either do NOT understand or do NOT agree!

Either say "amen" or "oh, ME" when the preacher thunders the truth of the word of God from the pulpit!

II. THE AMEN OF PURPOSE AND PETITION (A DESIRE)

Let it Be!

First occurrence in Bible:

Numbers 5:22 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

Last occurrence in Bible:

Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

This is probably the most common usage of the word in the Bible.

A. We use this in preaching

B. We use this in prayer

III. THE AMEN OF PLEASURE AND PRAISE (A DELIGHT)

I Like THAT!

Psalms 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

The word "blessed" is often associated with happiness and pleasure.
We say "amen" to bless the Lord and acknowledge that we are BLESSED

A. By His grace in salvation

B. By His goodness in supply

C. By His guidance by the Spirit and the Scriptures

IV. THE AMEN OF A PERSON (A DEITY)

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Sometimes people accuse some preachers of preaching for "the amen." They imply that some preachers can't preach effectively unless they can encourage the people to say "amen" while they preach. Well, I'll go further than that! I not only preach for the Amen,

A. I LOVE the Amen - JESUS!

B. I LOOK for the Amen - Jesus!

In the second coming
In the saints today

C. I LIVE for the Amen - Jesus!

Give me an AMEN, somebody! Take the world, but give me JESUS!!!

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

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