The preaching of the Word of God is one of the most significant guiding elements of spiritual formation in the life of a Christian. Whether a church is geared more toward the unbeliever or the believer it is the preaching, more than anything else, that spiritually forms those in attendance. A biblical example of the formative power of God’s Word was preached by Paul, who was not known as a great speaker. Thompson stated, “Paul’s preaching (1 Thess. 1:5; cf. 1 Cor. 1:18; 2:1–4), demonstrating that Paul did not come as an orator with words alone, but with power.”[1] Paul is not saying he did not preach, but that even though he was not skilled at preaching God’s power still shaped people. Paul said something like the church in Rome, by stating, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, NIV). Preaching the message of the gospel from God’s Word is powerful. Another example is in Iconium as Paul and Barnabas “spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed” (Acts 14:1, ESV).

The church shares part of the responsibility to give messages to build each other. Paul discusses the worship of the believers and “He assumes the active participation of all the members in the service: “Each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.”[2] In the early church, there was no such thing as a single pastor, who preaches, and everyone else listens. Of course, preaching to the congregation happens, but it is not all that happens. Every follower of Jesus has something to give to another Christian for the purpose “For building up” (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Not everyone should teach (preach) or be a pastor, but if you do there are some guiding principles to help give impactful sermons. If someone preaches a topical or an expository sermon based on a passage, which Jesus did both, there are a few ideas that may help you. Maybe you are not a pastor but you are considering being part of a church and wondering what should a sermon have. Objectively, it should have God’s Word as the foundation and the Word should be used for a few things (2 Timothy 3:16, 4:2). Many pastors have different styles, such as some use props, stories, illustrations, humor, and many other things that are not important unless any of these things remove the main thing: God’s Word. In the letters to Timothy we get an inside perspective of a pastor training another pastor as Paul passes on some essentials. In those letters, we see the Scriptures are not there to add credibility to the pastor’s idea, but it is the very thing everything is hanging on. The first basic question to ask is if the passages referenced in the sermon were removed, would it substantively change the message? If the answer is “No,” then leave. But wait, there’s more.

Assuming the sermon was foundationally based on Scripture, was it presented with the same intent the original biblical author had for the original audience? This is known as Exegesis. It is pulling the original meaning out and explaining it. This takes some investigation and study on your part. This is incredibly important because we underestimate the ability someone has to overcome their lack of biblical accuracy with their style, delivery, or personality.

Did the sermon point to Jesus as the absolute focus? The power is in the Gospel of Jesus and that is it (Romans 1:16). Another clear example is found in a call to all Christians, which includes pastors as it states, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Tips for getting a better life is nice, but it is not a sermon.

Did the sermon teach me to be like Jesus, did it correct sinful behavior, or did it train me to use my gifts for the kingdom (2 Timothy 3:16)? The point of all of that is, did I fall in love (again) with Jesus? Of course, this part is also on the hearer and a heart issue, but the intent to do that must be there.

[1] James W. Thompson, The Church according to Paul: Rediscovering the Community Conformed to Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014), 25.

[2] Ibid., 230.