A Few Reflections on Preaching

From the beginning, the church, and Anglicanism in particular, has always emphasized preaching the Word of God. The Homilies, for example, composed at the start of the Anglican Reformation in the 16^th century, begin with an exhortation to read Scripture, followed by a homily on the misery of all humanity. This misery was understood as our sin and our many offences against a holy God. Then, in response to this misery and resultant damnation, the third homily was entitled “Of the Salvation of all Mankind” and this homily, above all, set forth the doctrine of justification. Given the importance of preaching for Anglicanism, and even more, its importance for Christian faith, it would be good to offer a few reflections on this important topic.

There are, of course, many ways to preach, and therefore, each preacher must develop through prayer, study, and practice their best sense of how to proceed. At the same time, it is good to learn from others and the following is offered in that spirit. I will not cover preaching in detail, but only indicate by outline what I consider the most important elements that need to be found in any good sermon. My text for this outline is Mark 1:14-15 which reads as follows.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

1. In this passage Jesus speaks. The person who delivers the sermon, however, is not Jesus and therefore, it is understood that the authority of the sermon is dependent upon its conformity to Scripture as the revelation of the Lord Jesus. For that reason, preachers must, with prayer, repentance, and study, seek to conform their words to the biblical revelation, and as that happens, the congregation should expect God to speak to them in the words of the sermon. No preacher is without sin, all in some measure distort the Word of God, but God justifies sinful preachers and the congregations who listen. At the same time, he calls preachers to assiduously seek to accurately reflect the biblical message.

2. Notice that the verse began with a context, the arrest of John and the fact that Jesus came into Galilee. Where did he come from? The previous verses tell us that he was baptized by John, authorized as God’s beloved Son, and then the Spirit drove him into the desert to be tempted by the devil. In other words, he was called to proclaim the gospel and prior to this ministry he was empowered by the Spirit and suffered the trials of his temptation. From other sections of the gospel it is clear that Jesus from childhood (Luke 2:46-47) had immersed himself in the biblical revelation. It is vital that the preacher be immersed in Scripture, empowered by the Spirit, and tested. Even so, we are set right with God by the sacrifice of Christ and therefore God uses willing preachers and ever calls them to deepen their knowledge through study, openness to the Spirit, and testing.

3. Context not only includes the spiritual condition of the preacher, but that of the congregation as well. Jesus preached and taught in Galilee and he used language, parables, and examples taken from daily life. This can be seen throughout the gospels. The preacher must never talk down to the congregation, or exhibit his “superior” theological education, but address the congregation where they are and as they are. The pastor must know the congregation, their lives, their hopes, their sins, and their way of life. That is the context and it is only learned by being among the people and seeking God in prayer.

4. In Anglican churches there are lessons read each Sunday and it is often good to describe what was read in the lessons, or some aspect of those lessons as a point of departure for the sermon. Generally speaking, I would recommend one single point for the sermon, one theme that can be developed, and this theme, teaching, or emphasis can be found in the lesson. Bring it out into the light.

5. Next, in light of the primary point taken from the readings, show how that point and the conditions surrounding that point exist in the lives of the church members. This is where point three enters into the sermon. Make it clear with stories, examples taken from life as known by the church members, that the readings are addressing something that concerns them, their relationship to God, to each other, and to the world in general.

6. Jesus’ message began with the words, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” Something is about to happen. What is it? As described in the The Creeds and Biblical Inte/articles/1/44rpretation, "the Spirit takes the creative, powerful words, deeds, and appearances of God narrated in Scripture and repeats them in life today as a foretaste of God's final victory." Or, to repeat the words of Jesus, the “kingdom of God is at hand.” The expectation of the coming kingdom guides the remainder of the sermon in which the biblical message becomes a reality. How does that happen?

7. Once Jesus had announced that something was about to happen, he then says, “Repent and believe in the gospel.” This cannot be omitted. The preacher and every member of the congregation need to repent. The word repent (μετανο?ω) means to change how one thinks and acts, a change in one’s attitude, and a secondary aspect of the word involves feelings of sorrow, contrition, and regret. This need for repentance must be clearly enunciated and it entails clearly stating the sin involved as it is manifested in the lives of the congregation, as well as the consequences of this sin. Generally, it is good to speak of one sin, one area of life to be reformed, together with the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that surround that one area. No one reforms their entire life all at once, and in the Anglican context, preaching is a weekly occurrence that reforms the whole of life one week at a time. When the theme of the sermon is chosen, it needs to contain within it the reality of sin, repentance, and forgiveness.

When speaking of sin and repentance, it is good to speak from the foot of the cross. The preacher is not above the message, but under it, a sinner as well, and needing the blood of the Lamb. Depending on circumstances and the lesson, the sermon can be stern, or it can be winsome, gently leading the congregation to see that there are other ways of living and inviting them to embrace the new way. The word repentance does not always need to be used, but there must always be a call to live differently in obedience to God. This cannot be left out as the preacher’s goal is to bring the people closer to God and others in love.

It is easy for the preacher to omit certain aspects of sin, or ignore or minimize certain aspects of the biblical text. These temptations are always there. The need not to “injure” certain members, especially those who fund or support the church, is always a reality. Church members are injured when they do not hear the living Word, and before that Word can be preached, the text must be faced ruthlessly as a call to follow the Lord Jesus.

8. Jesus now says, “Believe the gospel,” and before the gospel can be believed, it must be proclaimed. This is the good news, and it must be proclaimed as relief, thankfulness, a new way of life, the forgiveness of God, his endless mercy, the joy of the Kingdom, his eating and drinking with sinners, his everlasting kindness, and above all, his sacrificing love revealed in the cross of Christ. Honor the congregation. Let them know they are esteemed by God. Show them that they have been chosen to enter his Kingdom and do his deeds. Fall on your face as you prepare the sermon and ask the Lord to pour out upon you his grace that you can proclaim these great mercies.

9. Biblical thought sees a person as a unity and there is no concept of belief apart from action. Belief leads to action. In this section of the sermon, suggest some ways they can put their new attitude of being forgiven into practice. Show them that it is a blessing regardless of how it may appear at first sight. Be specific in your call to action. Not all members need to put their new attitude into practice in the same way, but set forth some some specific ways to respond to God's grace and the Holy Spirit will use your ideas to call them to actions appropriate to each.

10. Further, they will recognize that they cannot do what you have asked. Then proclaim to them, in one form or another, aspects of the doctrine of justification seen in the ministry of Christ or taught by Paul. Tell them that God knows their weaknesses and that he forgives them day by day, accounting them righteous as they hold to him in faith. Tell them also that he has given them the Holy Spirit at their baptism, and that they can trust the Spirit to help them as they seek to apply the sermon to their lives. They can rest assured that God will see them through to the end, and therefore, they can be at peace.

11. As seen in the essay, Eucharist as Covenant Renewal, ask them to recognize that they are sealing their new found commitment with the blood the Lamb in the Eucharistic feast which follows the sermon. Then when all is said and done, end with the praise of God, giving thanks that we have such a just and merciful God who sent his Son to die for us.

Finally, spiritually, what is happening as the sermon is proclaimed? The essay, Trinity and Incarnation, describes how Jesus Christ becomes personally real to those who receive a gospel message proclaimed in the power of the Spirit. Those who respond to the gospel message, enter into a personal relationship to Christ. That is what happens in the sermon. God justifies the preacher and the congregation, sanctifies the words of the sermon and the ears of those who listen, and speaks to those who hear. The congregation is literally hearing God speak to them, and as a consequence, both preacher and congregation must approach the sermon with the expectation of meeting the living God. For this reason good preaching and listening is of supreme importance.

What then are the essential aspects of a gospel sermon? 1. Preparation, study, empowerment, and testing. 2. Determined attention to the biblical lessons for that Sunday, evading nothing. 3. Faith that God will use you in spite of your weaknesses. 4. The recognition that the context in which the congregation lives is addressed by the biblical lessons. 5. Humbly yet forthrightly setting forth sin and its consequences as illumined by the lessons. 6. The great proclamation of the gospel and the call to repent and believe. 7. The pronouncement of God’s mercy and his everlasting forgiveness. 8. Assurance that the Lord is with them, daily sustaining them, accounting them righteous even in their sin, and empowering them with the Spirit to follow the Lord. 9. A final thanksgiving to a great and merciful God.

Sermons vary in length. It is possible to do the foregoing in even short sermons, spending just a bit of time on each aspect. Whatever the case, the gospel message is clear, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

The Rev. Robert J. Sanders, Ph.D.