I’ve been writing and preaching sermons for many years.
When I started out in ministry, I struggled writing two or so messages a week.
While studying my undergraduate degree, I could ask for an extension to an assignment if my workload got too overwhelming. However, there were no extensions when it came to preaching on Sunday. Those messages just had to be ready.
Over time I learned some valuable lessons about sermon preparation that helped me write sermons with ease.
There are three areas of sermon preparation that helped me get those messages ready for Sunday. First, I learned the main structures of messages. Second, I grasped the methods in which to present those messages. Third, I learned the different types of sermons.
Once I put all this together, sermon writing was no longer stressful but a pleasure.
1. The Main Structures of Sermons
I believe in the KISS principle when it comes to sermon structure (Keep It Super Simple).
General speaking, most messages have three parts – an introduction, a body and a conclusion.
The introduction introduces your main preaching topic or idea. The body of the sermon expands and explains your topic or idea. The conclusion simply reinforces your topic or main idea.
Master these structures and you will be preaching powerful messages to your congregation. For more information, click here or here.
The most valuable lesson I learned in sermon preparation was that the body of the sermon is the sermon outline. I would not write a sermon until I had the sermon outline completed.
Once I completed the sermon outline, I added content to the sermon outline and then I wrote the introduction and then the conclusion. More details about sermon outlines are available by clicking on the following link – Sermon Outlines..
For more information on sermon outlines, click here or here.
2. The Methods of Presenting Sermons
Once I understood the different methods of presenting messages, I found sermon writing an absolutely pleasure. After all, there really are only three methods of presenting sermons – deductively, inductively or a bit of both.
Most messages are written using the deductive method. The deductive method usually starts with the main preaching point followed by the sub-points and incidental points.
You can use the inductive method to write messages. Usually, the inductive method is used for narrative preaching.
You can use a bit of both in some sermons. For example, you may write an inductive sermon but some where in the sermon you can use the deductive approach. To see how this works, click here.
3. The Different Types of Sermons
Generally speaking, sermons are either topical, expository or evangelistic.
Topical messages are messages constructed around a biblical topic or principle.
You may want to preach a sermon on Christian love. For example, your topic may be Ways to Express Christian Love To Others. Your sub-points could be: Sincerity, Kindness, Service and Practicalities.
For more information on topic sermons, click here or here.
Expository messages are messages that explain the Scriptures text by text.
For example, you may be preaching your way through the book of James. You arrive at James 5:13-20. This passage is focused on prayer. Your expository sermon could be outlined in this way: There are four examples of Christians sharing together in prayer. They involve prayer in times of suffering, sickness, conflict and waywardness.
For more information on expository sermons, here or here.
Evangelistic sermons are sermons that preach the gospel message of Jesus Christ in a clear and concise way.
For example, you may want to preach a message about the Cross of Calvary and how it declares God’s love for us. Your message may look like this: There are three declarations from the Cross of Calvary. They are: the Cross declares the magnitude of God’s love, the uniqueness of God’s love and the depth of God’s love.
For more information on evangelistic sermons, click here or here.
Sermon Resources
Free Funeral Messages: Free Funeral Messages provide the necessary resources for writing funeral sermons and planning a funeral service.