who gives a rip

When it comes to using stuff from other people in sermon preparation, there are 3 kinds of teachers:

1. Those who rip off sermon material from other guys and admit it
2. Those who rip off sermon material from other guys and lie about it
3. Those who rip off sermon material from other guys and are so delusional they don’t even realize they are doing it

Bottom line: Everybody is ripping off somebody, whether they realize it or not.
Of course, there are sub categories for each of these categories. And I don’t want to rehash old arguments about whether or not it’s appropriate to “preach other people’s sermons”.
As for me, I study hard, pray hard, think hard, and preach hard. I feel my delivery is very authentic and unique to who I am. And I discern the heart of what God wants to say to our congregation first and foremost in planning and preparing the context and content of my sermons.

Someone told me today  they were planning on ripping off one of my messages and my response was: “If my bullet fits your gun, shoot it.”
(I didn’t make that line up either.)

I love when something God originates through me goes beyond me. You can call that being ripped off if you want to. I call it being used by God.  Do you think Kari Jobe is upset that worship bands across america are upset that they blast her song probably every week?  NO WAY (well maybe, I'm not sure)  but if I wrote a song and Philip Craig and Dean bought it, or every church in america was rocking their worship experiences with a song I wrote...i wouldn't be offended...I'd be honored.

So, as one who regularly rips off others, and rather enjoys being ripped off, let me give you a piece of advice when ripping off the ideas of others:

Steal the stuff you suck at.Tap the strengths of others to compensate for your weaknesses. This will allow you to play to your communicative strengths.

For instance, I don’t have to steal many stories, analogies, or one liners from other guys. That’s my communicative sweet spot, so I’m usually covered there.

What I tend to suck at is condensing complicated historical backgrounds and thick theology.  But!  I have an awesome lead pastor who can come up with 5 amazing biblical truths about heaven and hell in a writing meeting and equips us to not suck.  Pinpoint where you’re naturally strong as a communicator (I recommend asking others to help you identify this), and lean into these strengths wholeheartedly.  Then identify what components of your communication tend to regularly struggle or drag, and steal approaches and angles from the guys who are good at it.

This allows the uniqueness of the voice that God has given you to cut through the clutter of your natural limitations. It’s not taking a shortcut. It’s just intelligent development.