sermon | Christian Library

The Position of the Youth in the Sermon

What place do the youth have in the sermon? This article engages with this question, indicating they ought to be addressed.

Why I’m Trying to Preach Shorter Sermons

How long should the sermon be? Are lengthy sermons better than shorter sermons? This article engages these questions.

A comprehensible sermon

This is article 5 of a series that focuses on the task of the elders in the preaching, sermon evaluation, the teaching and instruction and pastoral focus of the preacher, the relation of the Scripture text to the sermon, the sermon as Word of God, the application in preaching, and the structure and

A contemporary sermon

This is article 4 of a series that focuses on the task of the elders in the preaching, sermon evaluation, the teaching and instruction and pastoral focus of the preacher, the relation of the Scripture text to the sermon, the sermon as Word of God, the application in preaching, and the structure and

The text and the sermon

This is article 3 of a series that focuses on the task of the elders in the preaching, sermon evaluation, the teaching and instruction and pastoral focus of the preacher, the relation of the Scripture text to the sermon, the sermon as Word of God, the application in preaching, and the structure and

Pastor and teacher in the pulpit

This is article 2 of a series that focuses on the task of the elders in the preaching, sermon evaluation, the teaching and instruction and pastoral focus of the preacher, the relation of the Scripture text to the sermon, the sermon as Word of God, the application in preaching, and the structure and

The Sermon: What May we Expect?

This is article 1 of a series that focuses on the task of the elders in the preaching, sermon evaluation, the teaching and instruction and pastoral focus of the preacher, the relation of the Scripture text to the sermon, the sermon as Word of God, the application in preaching, and the structure and

Ministry of the Word

This article considers the part of the worship service pertaining to the ministry of the Word. It recommends a brief prayer before the sermon, and considers the public reading of the Scriptures as well as the character of the sermon.

Preaching on a Text

Structuring a sermon and its preaching is crucial for the preacher and listener. This article shows important things to consider for preaching: the theme, the focus of the text, the centrality of Christ, the place of illustrations, references, application and the conclusion.

A Key Sign That You Are Maturing as a Preacher

What is a sign of a developing preacher? This article discusses the importance of learning how to leave out certain parts from the final draft of the sermon, for the sake of the congregation.

Three Reasons Your Pastor's Sermon Should Always Lead You to Jesus

Sermons should always lead you to Christ, because Christ-centred preaching is biblical, historical, and practical.

So Help Me, God Preaching is too Important to Prepare Unaided

This article shares some insights into the process of making a sermon and preaching it.

Four Keys to Preaching More Engaging Sermons

This article considers the question regarding the length of a sermon by emphasizing the preparedness of the preacher. His sermon must be full of biblical substance, he must consider how to adorn the gospel with thought-provoking delivery, he must weave application into explanation, and develop audience awareness.

Is Expository Preaching Boring?

Is it wrong for Christians to want preaching that is engaging, powerful, and life-giving? Or is that a worldly longing? This article works through the matter by highlighting from Scripture five marks that should characterize every sermon.

It All Leads Straight to the Cross

Should every sermon bring its hearers to the cross, even if Christ himself did not do so? This article shows how everything the Lord Jesus said during his earthly ministry on the way to the cross must be read in the light of what he would accomplish at the cross. Thus, preaching needs to have the blood of Christ as its focal point every time again.

How to Saturate Your Sermon with Application without Sacrificing Doctrine and Exegesis

How can you write a sermon full of application without sacrificing doctrine and exegesis? This article argues that by writing your main points in the form of a command, putting them in the present tense, and providing real-life examples of what it looks like to live out the text, you can fill your sermon with application.

Five Laws for the First Sentence of Your Sermon

How can a pastor make the first sentence of his sermon be effective? This article offers five things that relate to this question.

The Value of Sermon Introductions: How to Stop Giving Your Congregation Theological Whiplash

A sermon introduction serves the purpose of leading the congregation into the sermon. How do you write a good sermon introduction? This article suggests there are seven aspects you may want to consider.

No Trailing Off! How to Conclude Your Sermons with Power

What makes for an effective sermon? This article suggests that the sermon's conclusion is important for an effective sermon.

Keep Your Audience Engaged: What Movies Can Teach Pastors about Effective Transitions

What makes for an effective sermon? This article considers how to make use of effective transitions in preaching in order to keep your hearers engaged.

Three Types of Effective Sermon Illustrations and How to Use Them

Every pastor wants to preach an effective sermon. Yet what makes for an effective sermon? The use of illustrations can be of great help. This article explains three types of sermon illustrations you can use.

Are You Overlooking the Most Essential Element of an Effective Sermon?

Every pastor wants to preach an effective sermon. He wants his preaching to be of help to his people. What makes for an effective sermon?

More – On Purpose

Preaching should aim at communicating the Holy Spirit's purpose in the text. This article explains what that purpose is, and how it should shape the sermon outline and the points of the sermon.

Preaching with Personalized How-To

Moving from explanation to application in a sermon can be a challenge. This is where most preaching fails. This article discusses a number of ways one can personalize the message.

Preaching and Writing

This article explains that writing out your sermon can help your preaching.

Preach! Don’t Construct Sermons

What is the difference between preaching a sermon and preaching to a congregation? First, we have to know if there is a difference between preaching and sermon. This article attempts to address this issue.

I Heard It – Did You?

What makes a good sermon? This article explains that there are five aspects of a good sermon.

Frame It!

What makes a good sermon? There are two aspects: it has limits and a focal point. The article expands on this.

Sermons Are Not for Liking

"How did you like the sermon?" This is just a wrong question to ask, because sermons are not for liking. Instead, as the article suggests, the question could be: What did you learn from the sermon?

One Way to Make Sure You're Preaching a Sermon, Not Leading a Bible Study

What is the difference between a Bible study and a sermon? This article attempts to answer the question.

Talking with Your Kids about the Sermon

How can parents talk with their children about the sermon? This article is aimed at helping parents in this area, giving eight guidelines to that end.

How to Make a Sermon

Sermon making is a process that includes at least four phases: analysis, synthesis, administration (homiletical reflection), and evaluation. This article explains these four phases of sermon making.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Importance of Sermon Preparation

Sermon preparation—is it really needed? By giving a snapshot of how Martyn Lloyd-Jones went about preparing his sermon, the author presents the importance of sermon preparation.

Preaching Made Practical - The Nature of a Sermon

This book provides practice guidelines around preaching. The first chapter focuses on the nature of the sermon (What is a sermon?). The author defines the sermon as the "official, ministerial, public proclamation, explanation, illustration and application of the Word of God written as it reveals Christ to the church and to the world."

The Listener and the Sermon

The effectiveness of the sermon cannot be separated from what the preacher thinks about the listener. The listener is someone who is moving toward God or away from God, or even a mixture of both. This article clarifies the meaning of preaching to such an audience.

Challenges in Preaching

This article provides a basic outline for making a sermon. The author discusses how we must view the text, the exposition of the text, the message of the text, and sermon application. The author also stresses the importance of making preaching Christological.

Supervising Preaching: Edifying Congregations (3)

This trilogy of articles discusses the task of the elder in working with the pastor for the improvement of the preaching. This article discusses how sermons must have an aspect of spirituality.

Supervising Preaching: Edifying Congregations (2)

This trilogy of articles discusses the task of the elder in working with the pastor for the improvement of the preaching. This article gives some direction as to what church council should look for in a sermon, highlighting that sermons should glorify God and edify the saints.

Supervising Preaching: Edifying Congregations (1)

This trilogy of articles discusses the task of the elder in working with the pastor for the improvement of the preaching. This article provides reasons why this is important. The author also gives some direction as to what church council should look for in a sermon and how they can supervise the preaching.

Preaching and the Real Battle for Worship (1)

"Oh, what God is this?!" Won't it be wonderful if these are your words after hearing a sermon? Preaching should lead to worship similar to that of Revelation 4. The minister has a calling to behold God unto the church.

Sermon and Prayer

This is an overview of sermons and prayer in the church: the importance of the preaching and prayer in the church, the task of the minister in this regard, sermon discussion, etc.

In Defense of the Ass: Is the Sermon a "Relic of the Reformation?" (Part 2)

This article is on the topic of preaching. Is the sermon relevant for modern hearers? Should preaching be more contextualized?

In Defense of the Ass: Is the Sermon a "Relic of the Reformation?" (Part 1)

Sometimes individuals question the relevance of the sermon in modern worship services. This article highligths the importance and role of preaching in the church service.

How to Listen to a Sermon

How should we listen to sermons? This article highlights some ways to listen effectively to the sermon and the preaching of the gospel.

Ministerial Magpies

This article looks into the question of preaching a sermon which is not yours; with modern technology, laziness in preparing sermons is becoming a serious temptation. Though preachers may want to use sermons of other individuals in their preparation, they should do it in such a way that their sermon remains theirs.

A Model Sermon

What is good preaching? Looking at Acts 2:14-39, this article shows how Peter's sermon can be used as a model for preaching.

A Little Story about the Sermon

Does preaching still have a place in the church? The author shows that preaching is one of the keys of the kingdom. The sermon is necessary for the church. What constitutes a sermon? This article also discusses the character, content, and form of a sermon.