Homiletics Course Notes

Chapter 1

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREACHING

Homiletics is a study of the preparation and delivery of sermons.

 It comes from the word homily (a moral talk or a sermon).

A simple definition of preaching is “a person declaring God’s message to other people.”

There are two main words used for preaching in the Greek New Testament.

1. The most frequently used word is kerusso, which means “to proclaim as a herald.” (about
60x)
2. The other word is evangelizo, which means “to announce good news, to evangelize.”
(more than 50x)

In Mark 16:15, the Great Commission that Christ has entrusted to His disciples, is a command to
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

In Matthew 24:14 Jesus prophesied that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the
world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Preaching is the method by which God has chosen to bring His Word to mankind. Titus 1:3 tells
us that God has “manifested His word through preaching.”

Preaching not only brings God’s Word to man, but it can also prepare the way for God to move
by His Spirit. Acts 10:44

Preaching can cause salvation, miracles, healing, and many of the wonderful works of God to be
accomplished (study 1 Cor. 1:21, Mk. 16:20, and Acts 14:7-10). This is because “faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

God has always longed to send out preachers to declare His word. The cry of God’s heart was
expressed when Isaiah heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
(Is.6:8).

The Apostle Paul also wrote, “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. How then
shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of
whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:13-14).

Preaching is a high and holy calling, but one that also involves great responsibility.

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 PREACHING IS A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY
The commission that was given to Ezekiel helps show the responsibility given to everyone who
would proclaim God’s word. The Lord told the prophet in Ezekiel 3:17-21:

Not only must a preacher learn to obediently speak what God wants him to say, but a preacher
also has to put into practice what he preaches. We must live up to the godly standards to which
we call others to live.

We see an example of this when Moses was beginning his ministry. Exodus 4:24

If the preacher will not honor and obey the word of God, everyone else will be encouraged to
despise and disobey the word of God also.

Our Lord Jesus emphasized the great eternal blessing or judgment upon those who teach or
preach the Word of God in His most famous message, the Sermon on the Mount. (Mt. 5:19)

Chapter 2
THE PREPARATIONS FOR A
PREACHER

There are preparations that must be completed before someone can become a good preacher.
1. Called of God
There are many different ways in which one can sense that he has been called of God to declare
His word.
a. The Lord may speak directly to the person
b. Sometimes a person will quietly hear the voice of God when he is praying or
reading the Bible.
c. The aspiration to be a preacher may even start as a simple desire in your heart,
which God will deepen and confirm as you continue to follow the Lord and
prepare yourself.
d. Sometimes a person’s calling to preach will first be discerned by a sensitive man
or woman of God.

FOUR STEPS TO BECOME PREPARED

Heaven’s resources are available to the person preparing to become a preacher. Notwithstanding,
the world, the flesh, and the devil will do all they can to oppose him.

In Exodus chapter 5 we can read about the difficulties Moses faced when he went to Egypt and
began to preach.
1. Pharaoh was against him
2. The Israelites blamed Moses and his preaching for making their lives more miserable

We can see in the life of Ezra the steps of preparation that are needed for a successful ministry of
the Word of God. “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to practice it, and
to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10 NAS).

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 1. A consecrated heart
a. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good
treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil
treasure brings forth evil things.” Matthew 12:34-35
2. A study of the Bible;
a. Ezra studied the law of the Lord, or the books of the Bible that were available in
his time. Jewish history credits him for gathering together and organizing all the
books of the Old Testament.
b. A preacher must be diligent to study. Second Timothy 2:15 commands, “Study to
show yourself approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”
c. We should be careful to not just study the Bible to find sermon material to help
others. God warns the preacher to take heed to his own spiritual life first (1 Tim.
4:16;Acts 20:28).

3. Obedience to the Bible;

a. The preacher who does not obey his knowledge of the Bible becomes of all men
most miserable.
b. If we do not practice what we preach, we will also face the shame of becoming a
great reproach to the work of the gospel. Romans 2:21-24

4. Preaching the Bible.

a. The nation of Israel was in a great measure restored and prepared for the coming
of Christ by the influence of this one preacher: a man who “set his heart to study
the Law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in
Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

Chapter 3
FOUR TYPES OF PREACHING

It is obvious that the Apostle Paul trained younger ministers to preach (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

Paul also tells us that there are four kinds of profitable speaking or preaching from the Word of
God.

In First Corinthians 14:6 he writes, “What shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by
revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by doctrine?”

1. REVELATION
The first of these four kinds of profitable preaching is called “revelation.” This is when God by
His Spirit shows you something you did not know (1 Cor. 2:9-10).

Having a revelation from God to preach is a very valuable ministry. It can be a rare ministry;
however, the Lord does not want revelations to be rare. The Apostle Paul prayed for the
Ephesian Christians that God would give them the spirit of revelation so they would understand
God’s calling, inheritance, and power for them (Eph. 1:15-19).

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A revelation can come to you while you are praying, reading the Scriptures, or perhaps in a
dream or a vision. A revelation often is just a simple message or little thought that God may
speak to you or quicken to your spirit in a moment of time.
You should meditate on that revelation and search the Scriptures on that particular subject or
message that the Lord quickened to you.

2. KNOWLEDGE
The second category of speaking that Paul listed was “knowledge.” This is preaching about
something that you already know or understand. (God does not have to give us a new revelation
every time we preach.)

a. One area of knowledge that you can preach about is something that you have gained
through personal experience.
i. Chapter four of the book of Daniel is a good example of someone preaching from
experiential knowledge.
b. Another area of knowledge from which you may have to preach can concern a need or a
problem that you know is in the church.
c. A third area of knowledge that can be preached, concerns our being sensitive to speak a
message that we know is appropriate for the occasion. (wedding or funeral)

3. PROPHECY
The third kind of profitable speaking or preaching that Paul mentioned in First Corinthians 14:6
is “prophecy.” Revelation 19:10 tells us that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The three areas in which prophetic preaching will flow are shown to us in First Corinthians 14:3
as—edification, exhortation, and comfort.

Do not constrict yourself by always following your sermon notes if you feel the Lord is
prompting you to speak about something else. You should learn to be sensitive and obedient to
follow a prophetic flow when you feel the anointing leading you, or when you feel that the heart
of God wants to be expressed.

Yet it is unwise to assume that you do not need to prepare to preach, but only wait for the
prophetic anointing to guide you.

4. DOCTRINE
The fourth kind of speaking Paul mentioned is “doctrine.” This can also be translated as
“teaching” or “instruction.” While this word suggests a more methodical or ordered form of
speaking, it does not have to be something lifeless and boring that we should avoid when we
preach a message.

We need to systematically preach sound doctrine in order to give our church members strong
spiritual foundations. This was the manner of the early Apostles. In Acts 2:42 we read, “And
they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine,” and in Acts 5:28 the Jewish Sanhedrin told
the Apostles, “You have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.”

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The Apostle Paul encouraged doctrinal preaching (1 Cor.14:6, 1 Tim. 4:13; 5:17; 2 Tim. 3:16;
4:2; Tit. 1:9).

Chapter 4
HOW TO CHOOSE WHAT TO PREACH

When suddenly the responsibility falls upon you to prepare for and deliver a sermon, it is easy to
become nervous and confused about what subject or topic to choose.

A pastor or a preacher does not have the option of speaking only when he feels victorious and
knows he has a real message from God. A preacher has a responsibility to regularly feed the
flock, regardless of his feelings.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim.
4:2).

Three Steps Towards Choosing What You Will Preach:

1. Seek the Lord for a revelation to preach.
i. A preacher should always be seeking the Lord for every sermon, to see if God
wants to speak something new to him for the occasion.
ii. When we feel that the Lord gives us a revelation, we should first wait until we
understand it before we preach it to others.

2. Decide what knowledge or doctrine would be appropriate to speak on. By God's wisdom
and peace, make a decision on what area of need is in the flock.
i. If we have no new revelation that we feel we should preach, then we should (by
the wisdom and peace of God) decide what knowledge or doctrine would be
appropriate to speak on.
Knowledge
i. Before you decide to preach about a subject or experience that you know
about, first ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is that subject or experience presently blessing your heart? Do not
feed the people old spiritual food.
2. Is the subject appropriate? Proverbs 25:11 tells us, “A word fitly
spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
3. Who is the audience? Consider who is sitting before you, and
speak to their needs.
ii. Perhaps what you are thinking of preaching about is a problem that you
know of. As you are considering preaching about it, start by asking
yourself these four questions:
1. Does the Lord want me to confront the problem?
2. Should something remain a secret? Be careful not to use examples
that will expose and embarrass people.
3. Is it the right time to confront the problem? First Corinthians 4:5
tells us, “… Judge nothing before the time

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 4. Do we know the correct way to deal with the situation? Every
battle needs different plans, and different problems can need
different solutions.

Doctrine
i. If we feel that we should perhaps preach doctrine, we should consider the
following:
1. Build a good doctrinal foundation in the lives of the people. This
should be an important priority in our teaching and preaching.
2. Do not major on the minors. In other words, do not use your preaching
to speak about topics that are not important to the needs of the people
you minister unto.
3. Do not teach any doctrines that are not clearly established in the Word
of God.

3. If the anointing flows in another direction, follow the Spirit, not your prepared notes.
When you are at the service (and perhaps you are already preaching your sermon), if a
prophetic anointing begins to flow in your heart and lead you, then follow the Spirit, not
your planned notes.
i. A preacher needs to learn to prepare a message well, but he must also learn to be
flexible and follow the burden and guidance that the Holy Spirit may instantly
place in his heart.

Chapter 5
HOW TO PREPARE A MESSAGE

Pray
Spend time in God's presence before you choose your message.

Second Corinthians 5:20 tells us, “Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were
pleading through us...” Yet to be Christ’s ambassadors, we need to receive from God what He
wants us to declare to the people.

Christ Himself said in John 12:49, “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father
who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” So we need to
seek the Lord to know what we should preach about.

Study
After prayer, we should begin to study. The Word of God tells us to study to be good preachers.
In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul commands, “Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who
does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

While our major source of reference is the Bible, there are other good study books that are
available to help us understand the Scriptures.

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As you begin to preach, keep a notebook to store your messages in. This is crucial! Keep an
organized copy of all the messages you have already prepared and preached.

Organize
Before you preach, you must organize the message.
There are three basic types of messages that we can choose from when we begin to organize a
sermon.

1. Topical Sermons
a. A topical sermon is where you preach a topic or an idea. A few examples of a
topic that could be preached include: prayer, the eagle, repentance, joy, Moses the
deliverer, running the race, how to be born again; or anything that is scriptural.
b. A topical message can most easily be prepared with the help of a concordance.

2. Textual Sermons
a. A textual sermon is where you take a verse, and preach your main idea or thought
from something in that verse. Explain how the verse reveals an important truth.

3. Expository Sermons
a. An expository sermon is where you bring out the meaning of a passage of
Scripture. You are explaining or interpreting that verse or verses. It could be a
parable, a story, a chapter, or even a book of the Bible. You explain your chosen
section of Scripture while keeping it in the proper settings of context, history, and
grammar.

THE THREE MAIN PARTS OF A SERMON

A sermon should have three main sections: an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.

PREPARE AN OUTLINE
An outline will help you to organize what you want to present to the people.

 First, write down on the top of your notes the central idea, theme, or truth that you are
going to speak about.
 Then write down as a simple sentence the purpose of your sermon.
 Now divide your paper into three sections, with the middle section being the largest.
Label the sections: Introduction, Main Body, and Conclusion.

Introduction: In the Introduction (or perhaps just above it) you will write your sermon title and
the Bible text that you will begin with.

Main Body: In the second section of your sermon outline (the Main Body) you will write down
the major thoughts or scriptures you have. Organize or number them into separate points. Make
sure that each point is related to the central theme of the message.

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Conclusion: After you have organized the points of the main body of your message, you should
write down some concluding remarks in the third section of your outline, the Conclusion.

THE FOUR INGREDIENTS IN A GOOD OUTLINE

1. UNITY
a. Unity makes a message easy to understand.
b. Unity also concentrates the impact of the message.
c.
2. ORDER
a. The second ingredient in a good outline is order. A message should be well
presented and logical. An organized sermon will be easier for the people to
remember, think about, and put into practice.
3. MOVEMENT
a. The third ingredient needed in a sermon outline is movement. You want to always
keep moving forward in your message, to be always progressing towards your
goal (Phil. 3:13-14).
b. The sermon must move in the proper direction that God wants the message to go.
We do not want our sermons to wander aimlessly in circles.
4. CLIMAX
a. The fourth ingredient of a sermon outline is the climax. A message should aim to
finish with a climax.
b. The climax should focus the attention of the listeners on the purpose for the
sermon, and motivate them to respond.

Chapter 6
THE INTRODUCTION

There are two main purposes for having a message start with an introduction. The most
important reason is to make it clear what the message will be about.

The second reason for an introduction is to create curiosity and gather the people’s attention.
Make the sermon attractive and interesting!

Two important ingredients that you should seek to quickly bring out in your introduction are a
title and a text verse.

A text verse will also give the authority of the Word of God to your message. It shows that you
are not just preaching your own opinions or the ideas of men.

When you are preparing to read your text, read the reference clearly, pause, and read the
reference again. Give your listeners time to find it in their own Bibles before you read it. Read
the text slowly, clearly, and with emphasis.

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Along with a title and text, it is important to quickly present something interesting to the people
in the introduction to gain their attention.

Some ways that you can gain the attention of the people can include any of the following:
1. Recent Happenings. Refer to anything that happened earlier in the service that helps
confirm that God is already speaking about what you are going to preach on.
2. A short story. A short story can also quickly gain the interest of the people. People of any
age like to hear a good story told to them!
3. Special Occasions. If the day or the occasion you are preaching on has a special
significance, making reference to it can quickly interest the people.
4. Related testimonies. You can show the people how the message is important for them.
People are always interested in hearing something that can help them to have a better,
more fulfilled life.
5. Visual Aids. Your introduction can have added impact if you add visual aids. An object
or action can help illustrate the sermon’s message.
6. Never apologize for your message when you begin! If you tell the people that the
message is not very good, they will believe you and not expect to receive much.

It is also important to keep the introduction short. Gain the attention of the people, and tell them
what direction the message is going. Then, start the main body of the message.

Summary of the Introduction

• Introductions define what your message will be and what will follow.
• A good introduction creates interest and curiosity.
• Introductions include a catchy title, and scripture text.
• Vary your introductions to gain the attention of your audience.
• Use some of the following:
- Recent happenings
- A short story
- Special occasions
- Testimonials of how people were helped and changed
- Visual aids to help illustrate the message
• Do not apologize for your message.
• Keep your introduction short, concise, and interesting

Chapter 7
THE MAIN BODY

In the main body of your sermon you want to share the content of your message. This is the time
to feed them all the important spiritual food of the message.

In the main body you will need to explain your subject. After stating the subject in the
introduction you must now go on to enlarge upon it and explain it thoroughly. Show the people
what the Bible says about the subject. Illustrate it and make the message clear to all the people.

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As you present your facts and reasoning, you want your listeners to be able to clearly understand
the message. Making an outline of what you will preach is the most effective preparation to help
you keep your thoughts in order.

ORGANIZING THE OUTLINE

As you organize the ideas of your message, you need to use a consistent pattern of how to make
an outline. If you are sharing a short and simple message, perhaps you will merely put 3 or 4
numbers on your paper and list your important thoughts and scriptures. But when you organize a
fuller message you may have many scriptures and thoughts that you want to put into a clear and
logical order.

You will need to know how to organize your thoughts into different groupings and levels of
importance. To help you to know how to do this, we will share the following standard pattern of
outlining that is used throughout the world:

TITLE OF THE MESSAGE

I. MAIN POINT
A. Subpoint
B. Subpoint
1. Sub-subpoint
2. Sub-subpoint
C. Subpoint
1. Sub-subpoint
2. Sub-subpoint
a. sub-sub-subpoint
b. sub-sub-subpoint
II. MAIN POINT
A. Subpoint
1. Sub-subpoint
2. Sub-subpoint
B. Subpoint
C. Subpoint

III.MAIN POINT
A. Subpoint
B. Subpoint
1. Sub-subpoint
2. Sub-subpoint
a. sub-sub-subpoint
b. sub-sub-subpoint

SEVEN TYPES OF SERMON OUTLINES

1. The Diamond Outline
a. A diamond outline is where you look at the subject you are preaching about from
a number of different sides or perspectives.

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 b. There is no special order needed in viewing it. Each side gives you a different
glimpse of the diamond’s beauty. In a similar way, some subjects can be looked at
from different angles, with no special order needed to the viewing.
c. A person could preach a sermon entitled “Three Reasons to Praise the Lord.”
i. You could organize these three points as:
1. Strength
2. Deliverance
3. Cleansing.
ii. However, you could just as wisely put them in the order of:
1. Deliverance
2. Strength
3. Cleansing
iii. Or in the order of:
1. Cleansing
2. Deliverance
3. Strength.
Each of these three points could be shared in any order, inasmuch as none of them has to
follow and build on top of the other.

2. THE LADDER OUTLINE

When we looked at the diamond outline we saw that the order to the sections was not important
as long as they all followed the same theme. Yet in the ladder outline, order is important.

For Example
* Three Steps To Maturity, 1 John 2:12-14.
1) Little Children,
2) Young Men,
3) Fathers
* Seven Steps to Christian Perfection, 2 Peter 1:5-7.
Add to your faith:
1) Virtue
2) Knowledge,
3) Self-Control
4) Perseverance
5) Godliness
6) Brotherly Love
7) “Agape” Love
* God’s Plan for the Redeemed, Ephesians 2:1-7.
1) Past Condition: Dead in Sin, vs.1-3
2) Present Condition: Saved and Raised With Christ, vs.4-6
3) Future Condition: Blessed for the Ages to Come,v.7

3. THE CONTRAST OUTLINE

Another way you can organize your message is by using a contrast outline. This is where you
compare two (or more) opposites in your message. By comparing these opposites the people will
learn the truth or lesson that you are seeking to teach.

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Some examples are: The Spiritual and the Carnal Christian (Abraham vs Lot); Unbelief and Faith
(The 10 Spies vs Joshua/ Caleb); and The Righteous and the Ungodly (Psalm 1).

4. THE BIBLE STORY (or Expository) OUTLINE

This type of outline is where you go step by step through the verses of a story, chapter, or book
of the Bible. You seek to bring out the message of the scripture by reading and explaining it.
Here is an example of an expository outline:

Sit, Walk, & Stand: the Book of Ephesians

a) Sit, Eph. 1:1-3:21. We sit in the finished work of Christ.
b) Walk, Eph. 4:1-6:9. We walk in the new life given us.
c) Stand, Eph. 6:12-18. We stand in Christ’s victory against the devil.

5. THE ANALOGY OUTLINE

In this type of outline a Bible story or truth is looked at, and then given a spiritual interpretation
(see 1 Cor.15:46). This is to not reject or minimize the importance of the plain, literal story; but
sometimes you can add a spiritual or prophetic meaning.

The Apostle Paul often did this, as we can see in Galatians 4:21-31, 2 Corinthians 3:6-18,
Romans 7:1-6, and Hebrews 12:18-24.

The 2 Miraculous Catches of Fish, Luke 5:3-10, John 21:2-11. A spiritual interpretation:

i. The 2 catches of fish by Peter and the disciples are prophetic of the ministry of Peter, Mk.
1:17.
ii. After the first miraculous catch in Lk. 5, Peter left his fishing to become a minister, Lk.
5:10.
iii. In Lk. 5:6 the net began to break. The weak net signified the weakness of Peter’s original
ministry, which failed when he denied the Lord, Mt. 26:69-75.
iv. Peter went back to fishing, in Jn. 21:3. Peter left his ministry, but God did not bless it,
Jn.15:5, Heb.10:38.
v. Peter was not at first fully clothed, both naturally and spiritually, Jn. 21:7, Is. 35:8.
vi. Jn. 21:15-17 - After Christ tested him 3 times (just as Peter had denied Christ 3 times),
Peter was restored to his ministry.
vii. Jn. 21:7 - Peter brought the net which was unbroken this time. This signified that his
ministry would not break again, just as Christ prophesied that Peter would become
faithful to death in John 21:18.

 MORAL: If you have failed the Lord, He can forgive you, change you, recommission
you, and cause you to become a faithful servant of God.

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6. THE QUESTION AND ANSWER OUTLINE
In this type of outline, a question or problem (or several of them) is asked and then answered.

The following are some examples of how it is used in the Bible:

1. Isaiah 33:14-17 - Title: How To Dwell With a Holy God

a) Is. 33:14, Heb. 12:29 - How can we dwell with a holy God?
b) Is. 33:15 - Seven ways we should be holy
c) Is. 33:16,17 - Six blessings we will be given
2. Psalm 15 and 24 are both Psalms that ask a question and then answer a question.
3. Malachi 1:2, 1:7, 2:17, 3:8, and 3:18 show us the outline of the book as a series of questions
and answers.

7. THE SEARCH OUTLINE

In this type of outline, various possibilities are considered (and rejected) until the right answer is
found. This is not used as commonly as some of the other outlines, but it can be useful to keep
the attention of the people.

Someone giving a testimony of how they became saved will often use a search outline (but make
sure the testimony glorifies Christ and does not concentrate on the sins of the former life). We
can consider these Biblical examples:

1. Micah searched for the answer to, “How can I please the Lord?” in Micah 6:6-8
2. Job chapter 28 is about searching for (and finding) wisdom.
3. Psalms 139:7-12 seeks to find the answer to the question, “Where shall I go from thy
presence?”

Chapter 8
ABOUT ILLUSTRATIONS

Three Reasons To Use Illustrations

Illustrations are an important part of a good sermon. They often make the difference between an
interesting and a dull sermon. You should use at least one illustration for every major point of
your message.

 First, an illustration can get the people’s attention. It is like bait on a fish hook! Our Lord
Jesus filled His messages with illustrations, stories, and parables that captured the
imagination of those who were listening.
 Second, an illustration can demonstrate practical application. You can show the people
how the message can help them. A personal testimony, an example from history, or a
Bible story could each show your listeners certain practical results.
 Third, illustrations help the people to remember your lesson. The saying “a picture is
worth a thousand words” is a saying that is known throughout the world. Many scientific

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 studies have observed how a large percentage of what we learn is by what we see, not just
by what we hear.

TYPES OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Many Bible preachers and prophets used objects to illustrate their messages. Jeremiah used
a yoke, Ezekiel made a model of the siege of Jerusalem, and Agabus used the belt of the Apostle
Paul. Our Lord, the Master Preacher, used objects to illustrate His messages.

 An acted out illustration can also add meaning to the message you preach. Hand
movements, walking, carrying an imaginary burden, and many other gestures and actions
can reinforce your verbal message and can help keep the attention of the people.
 A written or drawn illustration can also help the people to focus in on your topic better. A
picture, something written on a blackboard, or something shown on an overhead projector
can help show the meaning of your message.
 However, the majority of the illustrations we will use when we preach will be verbal
illustrations. A story or spoken illustration can sink into the thoughts of the people as
effectively as David’s stone sank into the forehead of Goliath!

SOURCES OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Always be looking for fresh illustrations that can be used in your preaching. When you find one,
write it down.

 The Bible should be a main source of our illustrations. You can always find a Bible story
that illustrates the truth you are speaking about.
 Nature and science are full of useful illustrations.
 Another good source of illustrations is history.
 Current news can also be used for illustrations.
 Personal experiences can always be a powerful source of illustrations.
 Fictional writing can also offer many good stories.

SOME CAUTIONS
 When you use an illustration, make sure it is relevant to the point you are making.
 If you feel that you have one particularly powerful illustration, share it near the end of
your message.
 Finally, do not make your illustrations too elaborate.

Summary of Illustrations
• Illustrations capture the attention of people.
• Illustrations should be simple and relevant to life-they should show them how to live and be
blessed.
• Illustrations and object lessons help people remember your lesson.
• The Bible is filled with illustrations from the prophets and Christ Himself.
• Something seen is often remembered more than something heard.
• We should draw most of our illustrations from the Bible.
• Nature and science are filled with useful lessons.
• History and athletic events make good teaching tools.

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• Current news can make useful illustrations.
• Personal experiences of victories of faith and answered prayer are very helpful.
• Fictional writing and stories are sources for good illustrations.
• Make sure your illustration is relevant to your message or it will distract from the main theme.
• Save your best illustration for the end of your message so the people will be motivated to
respond.
• Do not be too elaborate in your illustrations.
• Leave room for the people to do their own imagining.

Chapter 9
WHILE YOU ARE PREACHING

Exalt Christ
The most important thing you must seek to do while you are preaching is to exalt Christ and lead
the people closer to Him. The need of every Christian is to get closer to God.

We should endeavor to show our listeners how Christ is the answer to their every need. He can
save, deliver, heal, and sanctify. Preach that all we need is found in Christ (Col. 2:10;
Heb. 13:8). Show how Christ should be our guide and example (Prov. 3:6, Ps. 16:8). When you
preach about a difficulty, show how Christ faced the same situation yet overcame it (Heb. 4:15;
Rev. 3:21).

From whatever scriptures you preach, show how the Bible continually points to Christ. In John
5:39 our Lord said to the religious people of His day, “You search the scriptures, for in them
you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

Be careful not to exalt people when you preach (Mt. 23:6-12). Do not praise people in the
congregation to seek to gain their favor.

Make sure that your clothes and appearance are not “flashy” or overly expensive to gain people’s
admiration. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord...” That is our admonition
from 2Corinthians 4:5. Present Christ to the people, not yourself!

BE SENSITIVE TO THE ANOINTING OF

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The power of the Holy Spirit is what will minister remedy to the people as we preach. As our
Lord Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words
that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Unless we preach the Word of God by the power
and leading of the Holy Spirit there will be nothing eternal accomplished in the lives of our
listeners.

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BE SENSITIVE TO THE PEOPLE
While you are seeking to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, you must also be sensitive to the people
to whom you are speaking. As you receive a message from the heart and mind of God, you
must be able to share and impart that message into the hearts and minds of the people. If you are
not sensitive to either of these sides (the Lord and your listeners) then you will not be a clear
channel through which God can reach the people.

 When you are preaching it is important for you to consider what type of audience you
will speak to. Be sensitive to speak to them according to their educational, cultural, and
spiritual background.
 While you are endeavoring to speak on the level of the people, you must also be careful
to hold their attention. A good message will have no results if the congregation is no
longer listening to it!
 Another way that we have to learn to be sensitive to the people, is to be sure not to speak
beyond their attention span. Young children will not sit and listen beyond 5 to 10
minutes, while a trained adult congregation may listen for one hour.
 Some congregations are used to only having a 30 minute sermon (or less), and if you
come in and speak to them for an hour, they might stop listening to you after their normal
30 minutes.

WAYS TO USE YOUR VOICE

The voice that God gave you is an indispensable tool for the preacher. Learn to use your voice
well and protect your vocal cords. You want them to serve you well through a long and fruitful
career of speaking.

 When you speak, make sure you can be clearly understood by all the people.
 Pronounce your words better, and do not speak too quickly!
 Make sure your voice is not too loud.
 Do not speak monotone and drone on and on with the same boring pitch. Make your
voice sound interesting!
 Avoid useless phrases and repetitions. “aaaah”
 Be very careful not to ruin your voice. A preacher must protect his voice, because it can
become damaged and unusable. Shouting or using a hoarse voice can hurt your vocal
cords.

USING YOUR BODY PROPERLY

The ways that you use your body while you speak can either greatly help or hinder the delivery
of your message. Learn to use your gestures or body actions effectively.

Do not distract the people away from your message by having unusual or overly repeated
mannerisms. It can be irritating to look at a speaker who is always scratching his nose, or
fixing his hair, or swaying back and forth.

Keep good eye contact with the people. You should develop this ability until you can spend 85 to
90 percent of your speaking time looking at the congregation. Do not always be staring at your
sermon notes.

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In all of your actions, learn to express the message in your own creative way. Learn from other
people, but do not blindly copy or imitate someone.
YOUR PREACHING SKILLS WILL DEVELOP
THROUGH PRACTICE

All of these instructions may seem impossible for a beginning preacher to remember and
practice. Start by learning how to control the following three basics: speak clearly, avoid
distracting actions, and establish eye contact with your listeners.

END YOUR MESSAGE POSITIVELY

A good general rule to follow is to end your messages positively. Preaching the gospel literally
means to preach the “good news!” We want to build faith and hope in the people’s hearts, not
discouragement and condemnation.

A prophecy about the ministry of our Lord Jesus in Isaiah 42:3 says, “A bruised reed He will not
break, and smoking flax He will not quench...” This speaks of His tenderness and patience, and
the fact that He willnot destroy someone who is weak and failing.

Chapter 10
THE CONCLUSION

The ending or conclusion of your message is the most important part. This is the part of the
message that is to triumphantly finish the work.

SIGNAL THE ENDING OF THE SERMON

When you have finished presenting the truths and arguments of the main body of your message,
you should in some way give a signal to the people that you are beginning to conclude your
message. You could say something such as “In conclusion...” or, “In closing...” or, “To
summarize this morning’s message...”

Do not say “In closing...” two or three times, or spend 15 minutes on your conclusion.

SUMMARIZE THE MESSAGE

State clearly and quickly the main content of the message. Do not repeat every idea that has been
spoken, but reinforce the central idea you have been presenting.

APPLY THE MESSAGE TO EACH

PERSON’S HEART
The message we preach may start in the hearer’s mind, but it should end in their heart. The
conclusion of the sermon should be like the arrowhead that hits its target, as it penetrates into the
heart of the listeners. Ask God to give you His heart on the subject that you have preached about,
that you may in turn impart it into the hearts of your listeners.

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An appropriate story or illustration that is emotionally moving may touch the people’s hearts.

LEAD THE PEOPLE TO A DECISION

AND RESPONSE
When we preach, we want to have results. There are souls who need to be saved, and Christians
who need to grow! People may come to the service who are experiencing many types of trials,
bondages and sin. It is our duty to help them through the preaching of the Word of God.

Yet for us to help them, they must make new decisions and have their lives changed by the grace
and power of God.

When the people are ready to respond, you need to have an appropriate action you will suggest to
them that will confirm their new commitment. The following are some examples:
Invite the people to raise their hand, stand up, or come to
the altar (Ex. 32:26).
 Have a time of prayer. You can pray, but also encourage each person to pray for
themselves. Sometimes you can lead them in repeating a prayer after you.
 Have a time of worship. Sing a song that is appropriate to the theme of the sermon,
perhaps a song of consecration.
 Invite people to confess their sin and ask forgiveness, perhaps to an individual or to the
church.
 Conduct a communion service.
 Have the people perform a symbolic act as a testimony oftheir new commitment. They
could sign a covenant, as was done in Nehemiah 9:38. Other scriptural possibilities are to
have a “Jericho” march, shout a victory shout, or blow a trumpet (Josh. 6:15-16).
 You can sometimes take up an offering if a special need was presented. However, in this
case it is best if you as the preacher be the first to give generously, as an example to the
flock!
 Invite the people to meet you somewhere to do something. It could be to go to a prayer
meeting or be involved in a practical ministry to help someone.
 Some of the people could give a testimony about their new dedication. The public
declaration can seal a commitment they have made in their heart.

LET THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVE AFTER

THE MESSAGE IS OVER
The Holy Spirit must work with the message that was spoken; to confirm, convict, impart, or seal
the message in the hearts and lives of the people.

IN CLOSING
It is a most wonderful privilege to be called of God to declare His word.

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the
dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” - 2 Timothy 4:1-2

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