Preacher, Make Sure it is a Christian Sermon

Last updated on: February 6, 2018 at 11:43 am by Matt Pearson

Preacher, Make Sure it is a Christian Sermon 2018-01-31T11:47:17-05:00 Matt Pearson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Before it is all said and done. Before you close the Bible on Sunday. Before your last point has ended. Before you call for a response. Before the musicians come back on stage. Before you have finished preparing. Before you send the slides to tech guys. Before you drive to the campus on Sunday morning. Before you walk up the steps to the stage – please make sure your sermon is a Christian sermon.

Ask yourself this difficult question: “If a Jew were sitting in the pews would he/she agree with everything I have said today?”

You see, the Bible is a Jewish book written primarily by Jewish authors. But Jews do not believe Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah (except for “Jews for Jesus” of course). It is possible to preach a passage from the Bible – especially from the OT – and have a Jew agree with everything you have said. But that wouldn’t be a Christian sermon. It might be a good, biblical sermon. But it wouldn’t be Christian. In fact, I would argue that you CANNOT preach a good, biblical sermon unless it is a Christian sermon (see Luke 24:27 & John 5:39).

Before you are finished preparing, preacher, you MUST ask yourself “How does Jesus make what I am saying possible?” Or, “How does Jesus redeem this?” Or, “How does this text prepare us for Jesus?” Or, “How does ‘Christ in me’ transform what I am calling the congregation to do?” Or, “How is it that Jesus is the hero of this story?” Or, “How does this point to the reality that I am included in the grand story of God?”

If your sermon doesn’t help your people understand how Jesus revolutionizes what is going on in the text, you haven’t finished preparing OR preaching. Not only is it not faithful to the Scriptures; but you won’t be bringing freedom to your people. Insight, perhaps. Information, sure. Intrigue, maybe. But not freedom. Only Jesus can do that. And He’s the point of it all.

General Preaching Resources

Previous Post

February 2, 2018

Sermon Illustration: My Meeting with "George"

Next Post

February 9, 2018 Sermon Illustration: Rachael Denhollander

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Biblical Reflections Devotions Fridays are For Illustrations General Challenge General Preaching Resources Letters to West Franklin Preparing to Preach Table Talk Questions The Preaching Event Top Ten Quotes Uncategorized West Franklin West Franklin Talks

Select a Month March 2023 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said: "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jesus John An angel A voice from heaven (or the multitude)