Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

I am planning on using the ESV as our official version in the church I am planting.

But I am also looking at different less 100% literal versions. Does anyone read The Message? It seems very visitor friendly and easy to preach from.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

When I preach I don't use The Message for my initial text (mostly habit I guess) but I have definitely seen situations where using it to provide a little more clarity to the reading has been a positive thing.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

When The Message Bible first came out, I didn't like it. However, I had a friend who would send me emails with scripture quotes and I started to like it.

Eventually I did buy one and have used it a few times during our worship service. It is very easy to use and understand. I like reading it during study and prayer as well to get a new perspective on scripture.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

I like the message for reading and as a "commentary" to the literal translation. Still, many passages, IMO, add to much to the text. Sometimes I feel like it is a little to simple like there is only one meaning to get from the text. With the KJV or ESV every word means something and many times more than one meaning can jump out at you from the text.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

I work with teens and I love to use it with them. I personally have a parallel version KJV and NLT. Most of my memorization occurred in the KJV and so its kind of nice to see the KJV and then read it in NLT.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

Well besides the reason that the ESV is accurate.. i can buy them by the case for .50 cents per with the New Testament.

http://www.biblesurplus.com/esv-new-testament.aspx

I plan on buying 1500 of them and having it where anyone who needs one can grab one for free or to give away. Plus if I can get everyone with the same bible I can tell them to turn to page xxx instead of the book which can confuse newbies.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

That is the way I am. I memorized scripture out of the KJV so if I am wanting to find a scripture I wouldn't know how to find it in any other version.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

Our pastor often uses the message to bring out a meaning of a scripture.

Most peopel like it, we do have one memeber who hates anything but the KJV ever being used.

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

If the King James was good 'enuff for Peter and Paul its goof 'enuff for us, eh?

Re: Preaching from "The Message" bible
 

This guy thinks it is the only "authorized" version.

I do believe he thinks God authorized the KJV.