Why Sermons Blow
There is near universal agreement that except in rare occasions, most sermons people have to listen to blow. I know that for a fact because I’ve had to listen to myself for the past 20 years. The question I often ask myself is, “What can I do to consistently deliver great sermons?” Any ideas? My quick thoughts are: (1) Stay prayed up (2) Live a holy life (3) Make sure it’s biblically grounded (4) Find the most important point and focus on that (5) Keep it short (6) Above all else point to Jesus.
I think there’s another key element though. In his book Reality Check Guy Kawasaki writes,
“Many speech coaches will disagree with this, but the goal of a speech is to entertain the audience. If people are entertained, you can slip in a few nuggets of information. But if your speech is deathly dull, no amount of information will make a great speech.”
Do you think that applies to sermons too?
-- Leave a comment below, or stop and say “hello” on Twitter or Facebook.
Comments (14)
Seth Campbell on Jul 16, 2009 10:26am
i agree. i'm 34 yrs old & been attending church my entire life. i've always found my mind wandering during most sermons. my wife & i have attended ccv for almost a year now & leave w/ lots to think about every week. so many weeks we feel u are talking directly to us. keep up the good work
Anonymous on Jul 16, 2009 11:11am
You can have the greatest message in the world, but if you do not communicate in a way that connect to the people it is worthless. Entertain is a work that is hard to define. You are not talking about a song and dance, but you are talking about keeping peoples attentions through stories, voice, and body movements. And these great things are wrothless if you do not have a strong spiritual point to get across. Good sermons come about when relavent information is communicated in such a way that the attention of the audience is held and they walk away stronger then when they arrived.
Sean on Jul 16, 2009 11:43am
Entertain means to hold the attention of....with something amusing. If you went to China and preached in English they would not understand because.... well they speak Chinese. You must take into account the culture you are speaking. The culture in America requires a certain level of Entertainment to stay engaged. The culture is Entertainment driven, their language, if you will, is entertainment! If I put prime rib on a nasty garbage can lid and served it to you you probably would not eat it, but if I took that same prime rib and served it on a silver platter you would scarff it down!! The prime rib is the same the only thing that has changed is the presentation. The truth never changes the only thing that does is the way we present it!!!
I like your list I would change "live a holy life" to "live a repentant life!!"
Matt Silver on Jul 16, 2009 12:53pm
Love your list, I would add authenticity as well. To let your audience know that we are all in this journey together. Personal illustrations go a long way! Your passion, sincerity, and gut level honesty have always been strengths.
Rob Harris on Jul 16, 2009 3:08pm
Good list, Brian. I would also add 'preach original material'. I hate it when a preacher uses someone else's sermon and passes it off as their own.
Please understand...I'm not opposed to getting ideas from other preachers, using their main points or outline, etc. (Maxwell says, "If my bullet fits your gun, use it!") But, if you do use someone else's stuff, at least give them credit! I know of one guy who copies and pastes his sermons together every week from various well-known speakers -- and NEVER gives credit to the original authors of the material. I've even heard guys tell stories or illustrations from another speaker and make it sound as if it happened to them. Good grief. I believe spiritual plagiarism can short-circuit what the Holy Spirit wants to accomplish in the life of the communicator. In many other circles, plagiarism is grounds for dismissal.
I want to hear sermons from a guy who spends significant time with the Lord in prayer, studying and wresting with a passage to discern what God wants to communicate to the local body through it. I want fresh bread, not scraps from another man's table. I'm grateful for guys like you who strive to be original and fresh. Sorry for the long comment. Just a pet peeve of mine.
john alan turner on Jul 16, 2009 3:28pm
if you really want to get better at the presentation part of it (and, let's face it, that's usually where preachers fall down), i would recommend watching yourself on videotape w/ a few people who are willing to risk making you feel uncomfortable for the sake of helping you get better.
Brian Jones on Jul 16, 2009 3:31pm
John, I'm with you. The fact that I allowed my staff to beat me into putting videos of my sermons on this website has been a growing and grueling experience for me. Painful to watch. As G. Campbel Morgan once said, "I wouldn't cross to the street to listen to myself preach."
john alan turner on Jul 16, 2009 4:01pm
neither would i.
i mean me. not you.
Chuck Lees on Jul 16, 2009 4:28pm
Want proof? Wayne B. Smith has influenced tens of thousands with his humor - his love - his life - and his message. Humor works for him!
I must agree with G. Campbell Morgan -- I listened to a sermon of mine last night and felt nothing but untold compassion for the hearers!
Anonymous on Jul 17, 2009 11:46am
Brian, Do you think that book you quoted is worth picking up if we are looking at taking communicating seriously?
Adam Flora on Jul 17, 2009 11:46am
That last one was me... oops.
Brian Jones on Jul 18, 2009 3:48pm
I'd but it used on Amazon. But it does have some good stuff in it.
Gene4Jesus on Jul 20, 2009 1:51pm
Rev Jones-
Nice to be reading your inspired wisdom again. May God Bless all you do!
Gene4Jesus formerly Gene4UT
Gary on Jul 22, 2009 9:46am
@SEAN
To live a Holy life is to live a repentant life, and more.