“Class, whenever you come across an interesting phrase as you are studying, put an ‘S.T.’ beside it.” These words were spoken by brother Winkler on more than one occasion. What did the “S.T.” stand for? Depending on that by which you wrote it, it was mean to signify one of three things: “Sermon Topic,” “Sermon Text,” or “Sermon Title.”

One passage beside which he instructed his class to write “S.T.” is found in the book of 1 Kings. King Benhadad II of Syria besieged Samaria and demanded Ahab, king of Israel, pay a ransom by sending him his silver, gold, wives, and children (1 Kings 20:1-3). Ahab seemed quite willing to comply with the Syrian king’s demands (1 Kings 20:4, 7). Benhadad, recognizing an opportunity to exact even more from Ahab, sent messengers the next day stating his intentions to come in and search and plunder not only Ahab’s palace, but also the homes of all his servants (vs. 5-6). Ahab consulted with the elders of the land who advised him to refuse Benhadad (vs. 7-8). After this meeting, Ahab sent a message back to Benhadad saying, “…Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do: but this thing I may not do…” (1 Kings 20:9). It is the phrase, “this thing I may not do,” beside which brother Winkler said to “put an ‘S.T.’”

There are many things a Christian cannot do. Preachers, being Christians, are certainly included in these things. However, because we are to set an example for other believers (cf. 1 Timothy 4:12), it is doubly important that we pay attention to this phrase. In one class, brother Winkler expanded on this 1 Kings 20:9 “S.T.” marking by giving a sermon outline. This sermon fits well in our “Precepts for Preachers of Today and Tomorrow” series.

An obvious example of that which I may not as a preacher do is anything that is strictly forbidden by the Lord. Paul wrote, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19–2). Not only should it be obvious that we must do these things, but we must never by our preaching excuse these actions in others

In the coming weeks we will explore more of the points brother Winkler made in this lesson.