The Secret to a Life-Changing Sermon
Preaching That Makes a Difference – Part 5
During this 6-part series, I will explore some simple and practical ways that can help every pastor become a more effective Preacher.
If you asked most preachers today why they preach each Sunday, they would probably say to point people to the Lord in life-changing ways. Right? I mean doesn’t every preacher want their message to make a difference in the lives of those who are listening? But does that really happen? You may be surprised to know that preaching life-changing sermons doesn’t require being an expert orator or an experienced megachurch pastor. No! Life-changing sermons simply require providing two basic principles each time you preach. Here’s the secret!
#1 – Provide Life Application
Most preachers love to share what they have learned during their study time. They love to provide the historical context of a bible passage or talk about the biblical truths and principles that are contained within scripture. Some enjoy referring to the original languages and linguistically unpacking a word to bring more insight and understanding. All this can be well and good but if life application isn’t also included, your sermons will rarely be life-changing. They may be interesting or insightful, but they won’t impact the lives of those listening. If life application isn’t intentionally included with each of your sermon points, your congregation may know more but they won’t grow more! In fact, they will miss out on the blessing God has for them. Remember the words of James 1:23-25:
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Notice that only listening to a sermon without life application won’t really benefit anyone. This can especially be true as we enter into the Christmas season. We all know the Christmas story (Mary and Joseph, Shepherds, Wisemen, etc.), and our congregations have heard them many times as well. As a result, preachers can be tempted into searching for new historical facts or trying to find additional context that could be a surprise to their congregations. But instead of a historical focus, what would it look like if life application was the focus? For example: How does the faith of Joseph and Mary encourage you to trust God in a challenge you are currently facing? How does the Shepherds rejoicing at the birth of Jesus encourage you to be engaged in worship in deeper ways this Christmas? Rather than spending more time on the population of Bethlehem or the origin of the Magi, make your focus on what these situations mean for us in everyday life. How can your congregation take a 2000-year-old story and apply it today? When you include life application, you’ve made the spiritual truth you present personally to your congregation and have given them steps to change and grow in their faith.
#2 – Provide Specific Application
It’s also important that when you provide a life application, you make it very specific. By that I mean you help your congregation think of specific situations, people, or tangible steps they can take to apply your message. If you stay at what I call the general application level (e.g., “we need to love people more”), life change will usually not occur. This isn’t because the truth is wrong or unbiblical, but because the focus is too broad. But the more specific you can be about love and what it entails and looks like in everyday life, the more life changes will occur. For example, since a component of love is being patient (1 Cor 13:4), the question becomes, “Who can you be more patient with today”? What is their name? When will you see them again? How will you show patience? What will you do or not do? Going back to our Christmas story example, what will you do to actually trust God in a current challenge this week? What specifically is the challenge? How have you been tempted to take control? What would it look like if you relinquished control to God? Who can you share this with to help encourage you and hold you accountable? Get the idea? The more specific you can make a life application, the more life-changing opportunities you are offering.
So, as you enter your sermon preparation time this week, make sure you include at least 2-3 specific life application questions for your congregation to consider. Remember, by doing this you are helping them grow in their walk with the Lord and providing them a life-changing sermon.
Do You Want More?
I’ve devoted my life to the practice and art of preaching. I’ve been at it for almost 30 years, received my doctorate in preaching, and coached pastors around the country to help them become better communicators. If you would like to take your preaching to a new level, contact me and we can discuss some customized ways for you to be the best you can be!