12 Simple Points for Preaching
1. Don’t make preaching more complicated than it is. There are, in fact, only three things a preacher can do with a text.
1) Explain it by answering the question, “What does it mean?”
2) Prove it by answering the question, “Is it true?”
3) Apply it by answering the question, “What difference does it make?”
In some sermons you might answer only one of these questions. In other sermons you might address all three. For instance, with a passage like Matthew 21:21-22 “I tell you the truth, if you do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done…”, you will certainly want to answer to all three questions. You might address them all in one sermon or, preach a three-week series.
2. Every sermon should have one central “big idea.”
“A sermon should be a bullet, not buckshot.”
Ideally, each sermon is the explanation, interpretation, or application of a single dominant idea supported by other ideas, all drawn from one passage or several passages of Scripture.
Three or four ideas not related to a more inclusive idea do not make a message; they make three or four sermonettes all preached at one time.
Someone once said that “no sermon is ready for preaching…until we can express its theme in a short pregnant sentence as clear as a crystal.” Each week I attempt to express the central truth of my sermon text on the Pastors’ Page of the Pew Bulletin. Depending on time constraints within the week I sometimes do it after the final sermon prep, sometimes before, but until I do, my sermon seems just a jumble of words or thoughts. (I begin to prepare an outline in my mind on Monday but might only conclude the process by Friday). I hope that the summary adds to its practically application in the lives of the congregation. (BTW The Homegroup Study has the same effect).
3. We are called primarily to Expository preaching ie Exposing the Text.
Sadly, much of what goes by the name “expository preaching” today amounts to little more than a running commentary on the ancient biblical text (“Last Sunday we got through chapter 7, verse 12. Today we begin with verse 13…”). Information without relevance. Knowledge without application. No central idea.
Expository preaching should be as crisp and relevant as the Bible itself. An expository sermon can take many forms-inductive (general to specific), deductive (specific to general), narrative (story telling), and yes, even topical (news of the day).
So what then makes an expository sermon expository? It is this: An expository preacher never brings his sermon idea to the text. Rather he draws his sermon idea from the text. In other words, an expository preacher never imposes a topic on the text. He lets the text speak for itself and shapes his sermon accordingly.
4. Without a definite purpose, no sermon is worth preaching.
Before you preach any sermon, you should be able to answer the question, “Why am I preaching it?” In other words, what do you want to see happen in the lives of your hearers?
5. The introduction, transitions, and conclusion are vital to the body of the sermon.
Effective introductions capture attention, identify the need that the sermon will address, and introduce the body of the sermon.
Good transitions review the major points of a sermon and show how the major and minor points of the sermon relate to each other.
The purpose of the conclusion is to conclude-not merely to stop….The congregation should see the message entire and complete, and they should know and feel what God’s truth demands of them.”
6. Until the biblical text has preached to you, you’re not ready to preach the biblical text to the congregation.
ALWAYS allow the text to address you first!
7. Don’t retell a Bible story, relive it!
Concrete word pictures are vital for preaching. The most interesting pictures of life are those created inside our heads. Help the congregation experience the biblical story by using sensory verbs that relate to hearing, tasting, smelling, etc.
8. Write out the manuscript of your sermon.
Producing a sermon manuscript forces you to move from general ideas to precise thinking and wording. It requires you to carefully consider your purpose and to think through each critical part of the sermon. It improves your sermon’s logical flow.
9. When you preach, you should be able to leave your manuscript behind.
Preaching without your manuscript improves eye contact and makes your delivery more natural and conversational.
10. Not only should we effectively preach the Bible, we should effectively read it.
The oral reading of Scripture in worship is an exegetical event. We should carefully prepare for it. Familiarize yourself with the text by reading it through at least eight times privately before you read it publicly. As in preaching, our delivery should be thoughtful and passionate.
11. Pursue a ministry strategy of multiplication.
Create a passion in others to want to pursue a public preaching ministry and teach them to preach
12. Speak the truth in love.
While not everything is easy to hear, it should always be spoken in love. Effective ministry requires earning the respect to be heard. The congregation must know that you live what you teaches. They should know that you care about them. And then they will listen when you speak. There are no short-cuts to that kind of impact.
