Lesson 16

TYPES OF SERMON DELIVERY

There are several means of sermon delivery and I’ll love to state them so that we can chose from the varieties as we preach God’s word.

Topical sermon delivery: this is the type of sermon where the topic determines the text and scriptures used. Topical sermons help the audience understand certain important topics of the scriptures like ‘redemption, salvation, baptism, God, HolySpirit etc.’ in writing a topical sermon you can follow this guideline by asking the ‘what’ and ‘why; question:

(a) What:  In asking what, you define the topic from academic and biblical point of view (you can used dictionary and scripture portions that defines the topic you are preaching about, you can also quote books or preachers that had defined such topic in the way you want to make reference to.

(b) Why: In asking why, you explain the purpose of the topic, its relevance to the audience and the Christ in the topic. Example of a topical sermon is faith in Hebrews 11

Textual sermons: a textual sermon is preaching a particular text of a scripture, in textual sermons; you expose the lessons and truth in a particular text. The text determines the topic and the progression of the sermon. In preaching a textual sermon, you reveal that every jot and iota in God’s word carries the very breath of God in it. Example of a textual sermon is found in John 10:34-36, where Christ preached the text found in Ps 82:6. Textual sermons sink deep and have the most spiritual effect when properly interpreted and preached. Before preaching a textual sermon, please first research if the truth you are to preach from such text appears in other parts of the scriptures. In the mouth of two or three witness a case is confirmed (De 19:15), yes, unless that same truth appears in at least two or three more places in the scriptures, you shouldn’t preach it. For e.g. Saul conjuring the soul of Samuel (1Sam. 28) doesn’t appear in any other place in the scripture therefore you shouldn’t preach such text.

Before preaching a textual sermon, its paramount to understand the reason such text was written and the setting and audience it was meant to address, this give more effectiveness to such textual truth.

Biographical sermon: this is the sermon where you preach about the life and times of a bible figure or you trace an ancestry in the scriptures. You pick all the text talking about such person’s life and arrange them in a chronological order (from the time of the person’s birth to his death) taking in cognizance all the important events in such person’s life. This sermon helps us understand how God had led our heroes of faith in times past, how despite their unfaithfulness and mistakes, God went on to show His faithfulness and love towards them or lineage. Biographical sermons make us know how God will leads as individuals and through our lineage as we cast our faith on Him. Example of a biographical sermon is found in Acts 7 preached by Stephen and Matthew 1 recounted by Matthew.

Expository sermon: Expository sermons are the longer version of a textual sermon; you can do an expository base on a book like Esther, Daniel etc. or on a longer text. In expository sermons, you expose the cultural settings, the times, the Christ in such exposition and purpose of such book. In expository sermons, you progress by the verses and chapters and its gives the overall truth and details of a book or longer text in the bible.

God bless you as you learn to choose from a variety of sermon delivery while delivering your sermon. Don’t be stuck to a particular style, (monotony kills interest) though you may prefer a particular style more. Christ used different methods of teachings.