Sermons That Work are usually biblical sermons that have structure and are well illustrated. Of course, we add our personality to every sermon by the way we write and deliver the sermon to our audiences.
Sermons That Work
Let me add with emphasis that preparation is an important element in writing and preaching sermons that work. As the old saying goes, “Fail to prepare, be prepared to fail”
There are several attributes to sermons that work. In this article, I want to touch on three of those attributes.
1. Sermons that work are biblical sermons
They are sermons that teach a biblical truth or principle.
These types of sermons are often referred to as expository sermons because they teach a biblical truth or principle from the text of Scripture. Of course, this does not exclude the topical sermon that teaches a biblical truth or principle.
However, it does exclude what I call the three point contemporary preacher. 1) he starts with a biblical text; 2) he moves away from the biblical text and 3) he never returns to the biblical text.
These types of sermons are usually agenda driven and have very little to do with a biblical truth or principle.
2. Sermons that work have structure
Let’s fact is, there is nothing so agitating as a preacher who is wondering all over the place.
I call this type of preacher the A to Z preacher. He starts at A and finishes at Z and anything goes in between. Usually the A to Z preacher has no structure and speaks for a long time about several different topics. This type of preaching can be quite frustrating for the audience.
A sermon with structure helps the preacher move through the sermon with clarity and progression. On the other hand, the audience is able to follow the flow of the sermon and appreciate where the preacher is taking them in the journey of the sermon.
A. Sermons have three parts
Generally speaking, most sermons have an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
The introduction introduces the main preaching point. The body of the sermon is the main part of the sermon and the body expands and explains the main preaching point. The conclusion reinforces the main preaching point with a conclusion challenge to action.
B. Sermons are either deductive or inductive or a bit of both
A deductive sermon usually begins with the main preaching point followed by the sub-points and the incidental points.
A deductive sermon may look a little bit like this. This morning I want to share with you three ways in which we can walk carefully and wisely in the Lord, especially in these trying times. It involves our time, our thinking and our testimony.
An inductive sermon usually starts with the incidental and sub-points leading to the main preaching point.
An inductive sermon may look a little like this. We have life reasonably easy today and yet we live in trying times. We have placed great emphasis on ourselves but it doesn’t seem to be working. God has shown us how to live wisely in the Lord. It involves our time, our thinking and our testimony. We must take the emphasis off ourselves and place it with God. Just imagine what our society would be like if we allowed God to show us how to live. What do you need to do to allow God to show you how to life?
A sermon that uses deduction and induction can be either a deductive sermon with some induction or an inductive sermon with some deduction.
3. Sermons that work are well illustrated
Illustrating the point you are making in your sermon is very powerful in presenting a biblical truth or principle.
Seasoned preachers know how important this part of sermon preparation is in presenting biblical truth.
A. First Illustration
“Therefore, put away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).
A minister noticed a group of boys standing around a small stray dog. “What are you doing, boys?” “Telling lies,” said one of the boys. “The one who tells the biggest lie gets the dog.” “Why, when I was your age,” the shocked minister said, “I never ever thought of telling a lie.” The boys looked at one another, a little deflated. Finally one of them shrugged his shoulders and said, “I guess he wins the dog.” (Source Unknown)
B. Second Illustration
“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).
Many years ago, a wise old king called his wise men together and gave them a commission. “I want you to compile for me the wisdom of the ages. Put it in book form so we might leave it to posterity.” The wise men worked for a long time and came back with twelve volumes. “It’s too long,” said the King, “People will not read it.” So they went away and reduced it to one volume. “Still too long,” said the King. The wise sought to reduce the volume to a chapter, then to a page, then to a paragraph, and finally to a sentence. When the wise old King saw the sentence, he was absolutely elated. “Gentlemen,” he said, “This is truly the wisdom of the ages, and as soon as all men everywhere learn this truth, then most of our problems will be solved.” The sentence simply read, “There ain’t no free lunch.” (Source Unknown)
God gave us two hand to work with not to use them to steal.
Check Out These Sermons Below
This Sermon is a brief sermon outlines from the book of Colossians. The following sermon outline explains a the passage of Scripture from Colossians 1:15-20. The topic of this Sermon That Works is The Greatness of Jesus Christ.
These messages are snippets from sermons that can be used to develop sermons for your congregation.
These preaching sermons are snippets from sermons from the book of Romans. These snippets may give you ideas for preparing preaching sermons for your congregation.
Sermons that work are biblical sermons with structure and illustrations.
Further Resources For Sermons That Work
Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chappell (Check it out at Amazon Books)
How To Preach Without Notes by Charles W. Kollor (Check it out at Amazon Books)
How To Prepare Bible Messages by James Braga (Check it out at Amazon Books)