A plea for better sermons

One of the directives in Scripture is that church elders must be didaktikos – able to teach.

Many are satisfied with understanding theology or caring for people, but sometimes not so great at motivating others to have a passion to live for Jesus. Good preaching is much more than good theology – there must be urgency and passion.

John Piper has said: ‘The preacher’s job is for people to know God and to find Him more satisfying than food, sex, money, sports, or media. They’re idolaters if they don’t.’

SERMON OK?

A helpful anagram reminds preachers of the work needed, not just on the content of their sermons but also on the structure, memorable phrases, illustrations and the manner of presentation so as to have the maximal effect. We are not just called to be faithful to the text but to be ‘productive and effective’ and that requires much hard work (see 2 Peter 1:5-8). When the talk is being planned, we should keep thinking, is this SERMON OK?

S Serve Jesus Christ, the sermon should climax with Him.

E Expound the clear meaning of the passage as your priority before God. Excite people with it.

R Relevant to people’s lives. The application must be stressed repeatedly.

M Motivating. Teaching good doctrine is not enough; sincerity and passion should be infectious.

O Open your listeners’ minds to the depth of God’s word to us. This requires constant study.

N New material, narratives and illustrations help to keep attention and to grip people.

O Organise the talk structure to be memorable. The opening should attract immediate interest.

K Konclusion should be clear and summarise what God wants listeners to go away with.

? Questions should be being raised in people’s minds as we speak. Have I achieved all this?