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5 Types of Sermons
Over the years I’ve noticed people (including myself) overwhelmingly prefer (whether writing, reading, speaking, hearing) one type of lesson:1. How the story(ies) of the Bible fit and is told, which focuses on structure, connections, etc. The enticement is seeing the mind and hand of God from beginning to end. The danger is an overemphasis of the intellectual. 2. How “they” are wrong, which focuses on “others”. The enticement is both false security and needed validation. This outward look is periodically necessary and biblical; but too often focuses only on “basics” (which are often based on that church’s doctrinal culture). The danger is too much outward focus resulting in pride and complacency. 3. How “we” are wrong but “I” am not part of the “we”. The allure is understandable in that someone is a maverick within, and often change is necessary. The danger is this person enjoys the comforted being afflicted as along as they get to do the afflicting.4. How “I” am wrong. Looking inward is spiritually therapeutic. The danger is humility becomes confused with self-flagellation, resulting in doubt in God’s grace for them.5. “How to” stuff. Lists help make application of the texts, which is Biblical and needed (i.e. just like this article). The danger is the Bible becomes little more than a “How To Get Through Life To Heaven For Dummies” book.No doubt there are other categories, but probably an honest assessment leads to seeing ourselves in the above types of material. All have a place more or less. The greatest spiritual material has a higher goal. The greatest example is the Sermon on the Mount which has the following two themes, one stated negatively and the other positively: Matthew 5:20: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” (CSB)Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (CSB)Both of these, and 4 out of the above 5, are found in Jesus (He was sinless and therefore never wrong although He did look inwardly). May our Leader always be the one type of lesson that is always number one.
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