Basically, there are three types of sermons (See Braga, p. 21-86).
A. EXPOSITORY SERMON
1. This type of sermon unfolds a paragraph (or a "unit of thought") of
Scripture. [Generally, two or more verses.]
2. The theme or overall main point of the passage
formulates your proposition.
3. Your points (major and minor) are derived only from this
singular passage of Scripture [Note: You may illustrate or explain by using other
Scripture passages.].
In expository preaching, the expositor digs into a paragraph from God's Word and
pulls out significant, timeless truths.
4. The Benefits of Preaching through a Book of the Bible:
5. Sample - Expository Outline:
"Full Surrender"
Romans 12:1,2
* BECAUSE OF GOD'S MERCY, YOU SHOULD FULLY SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TO GOD.
What Does Full Surrender mean?
- FULL SURRENDER IS:
LETTING GOD HAVE YOUR LIFE
(A Sacrificed Life)
A. WHAT KIND OF SACRIFICE DOES GOD WANT?
B. WHY SHOULD YOU GIVE SUCH A SACRIFICE?
-- It is "your reasonable service" (Sacrifice is the logical, intelligent choice)
- FULL SURRENDER IS:
LETTING GOD CHANGE YOUR LIFE
(A Transformed Life)
A. THE ENEMY OF A TRANSFORMED LIFE:
The World's Mold
B. THE ENTRANCE INTO A TRANSFORMED LIFE:
A renewed mind
C. THE END RESULT OF A TRANSFORMED LIFE:
The Will of God
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B. TEXTUAL SERMON
1. This type of sermon usually develops a single verse of
Scripture.
2. The theme (Proposition) and main points come directly from
the verse, but the minor points may be developed from other Scripture passages.
3. This form of sermon is generally good for:
-- Preaching to audiences with short attention spans
(children; elderly)
-- Preaching at occasions other than church services
(Ex: banquets, funerals, etc.)
-- Preaching "Great Bible Texts" or "Favorite Bible Verses" series
4. Sample - Textual Outline:
"RESOLUTIONS"
I Corinthians 15:58
* God wants you to make four resolutions regarding your service for Jesus Christ.
- I WILL NOT QUIT IN MY SERVICE FOR CHRIST
"Be ye steadfast"
- I WILL NOT MOVE FROM MY SERVICE FOR CHRIST
"Unmovable"
- I WILL NOT BECOME COMPLACENT IN MY SERVICE FOR CHRIST
"Always abounding . . ."
- I WILL HAVE NO REGRETS IN MY SERVICE FOR CHRIST.
". . . Not in vain"
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C. TOPICAL SERMON
1. This type of sermon develops a topic or subject that the
preacher chooses.
Ex: prayer, holiness, separation, love, priorities, etc.
2. This type of sermon requires the preacher to have an overall knowledge of
the Bible and an ability to pull together related passages from
different parts of the Bible to support the topic being preached.
This skill is used in systematic theology.
3. The use of a concordance or a topical Bible (Ex: Naves) is helpful in
this type of sermon preparation.
4. Sample - Topical Outline:
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"TOP PRIORITIES"
* WE NEED TO REALIZE WHAT OUR TOP PRIORITIES ARE!
(according to God's Word)
- MY # 1 LOVE (Mark 12:28-33)
(Priority Devotion)
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . This is the first commandment" (v. 30).
- MY # 1 GOAL (Matthew 6:33)
(Priority Ambition)
"Seek ye first . . ."
- MY # 1 JOB (I Timothy 2:1)
(Priority Dedication)
"First of all supplications, prayers, . . . be made for all men."
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Expanded example:
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"TOP PRIORITIES"
WE NEED TO REALIZE WHAT OUR TOP PRIORITIES ARE!
(according to God's Word)
- MY # 1 LOVE (Mark 12:28-33)
(Priority Devotion)
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . This is the first commandment" (v. 30).
A. HOW SHOULD WE LOVE GOD?
When we love God totally, He is:
1. The center of my affections
2. The center of my life
3. The center of my thoughts
4. The center of my activity
B. WHY SHOULD WE LOVE GOD?
Because loving God is:
1. The key to obedience (I Jn. 5:3)
2. The key to close fellowship (Jn. 14:23)
3. The key to blessedness (Rom. 8:28)
- MY # 1 GOAL (Matthew 6:33)
(Priority Ambition)
"Seek ye first . . ."
A. "THE KINGDOM OF GOD"
B. "AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS"
- MY # 1 JOB (I Timothy 2:1)
(Priority Dedication)
"First of all supplications, prayers, . . . be made for all men."
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These three different types of sermons are sometimes characterized as follows:
Topical - "Preaching about the Bible"
Textual - "Preaching from the Bible"
Expository - "Preaching the Bible"
Note: Regarding these different types of sermons, the following is the viewpoint of this
professor:
* If the preacher carefully considers the grammar and context of each text explained and
if he faithfully determines God's principles and faithfully develops his points
to match the text used as support for such points, then he is preaching the Bible.
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