Lesson 7 - Types of Sermons

There are three main types of sermons for the purpose of our study:

I. ________________ Sermons
A. Expository sermons are ____________ sermons.
1. These sermons are not merely about the Bible, they are the _________.
2. These sermons are Bible ___________.
3. These sermons cannot by definition result in a “Springboard Sermon.”
A “springboard sermon” employs a passage from the Bible as a starting place for a
discourse on morality or some other issue of concern. The concern of a “springboard
sermon” is not expositional ___________ and a thorough understanding of the passage.

B. Expository preaching is biblically ____________ preaching.

The purpose of expository preaching is to teach what the Bible actually says. It has a high
regard for the words of the Bible and considers a thorough working knowledge of the
Scripture to be the basis for life change and _____________.

C. Expository preaching is preaching that expounds the Scriptures as a ______________ and

coordinated body of revealed truth.

D. There are various types of expository preaching.

1. There is the running _____________ method.
In this method the preacher moves through a book of the Bible verse by verse using
research to unfold the accurate meaning of the text.

2. There is the Bible ___________ method.

In this method the preacher reads through the Bible for a general understanding of the
passage focusing only on key insights for a particular emphasis or practical
application

3. There is the purely ____________ method.

In this method the preacher also focuses on biblical content but with an attempt to
incorporate more structure and outline to the exposition of the text.

4. There is the ______________ method.

This method is the best expository form in that it incorporates structure and outline, but
it focuses on life application.

a. The sermonizing method should only be concerned about the _________ features
or the main point of the passage.
There are many details that will be uncovered in the research process that must be
eliminated or it will run too long and the primary impact will be diluted.

b. The sermonizing method should primarily be concerned about the spiritual meaning
and _____________ of the passage.
Anything of a historical or geographical nature must be kept subordinate to the
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 central issue. It is to be a sermon, not a lecture.

c. The sermonizing method should always have a _____________ and focused

message with a strong emphasis on application to life.
The byproduct of a steady diet of expository preaching is an increase of Bible knowledge
among the people.

II. ___________ Sermons

A. The textual sermon is similar to the expository sermon but it is based on one
_____________ passage.

B. In the textual sermon the ___________ comes from the text itself.

C. The textual sermon usually involves a shorter passage and a more ____________ analysis.
The textual sermon can be based on a passage as short as one verse or as long as a book of
the Bible (a short book). Most often it will be a passage of 1-10 verses. This will be the
primary text and very little supporting texts will be referenced.

III. _____________ Sermons

A. The topical sermon deals with a specific biblical ________ or an issue of importance or
concern.

B. There are many variations of the topical sermon.

1. _____________ Sermons
Some examples of this type of sermon might include:
 The Attributes of God
 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
 The Atonement
 The Authority of the Believer
 The Church

2. _____________ Sermons
Biographical sermons are drawn from Bible characters who serve as a positive or
negative example of actions and their results. These sermons may become a series on the
life of a biblical character.
Some examples of this type of sermon might include:
 Joseph
 Abraham
 Sarah
 David
 Elijah

3. ___________ Discourse
The ethical discourse draws from principles in the Scripture and applies them to issues
that may not be directly addressed in the Bible.
Some examples of this type of sermon might include:
 Social Issues
 Abortion

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  Prejudice
 Suicide

4. __________ Study
A word study usually focuses on one word or one concept (a few related words) and
brings a biblical challenge regarding that topic.
Some examples of this type of sermon might include:
 Faith
 Love
 Obedience
 Prayer
 Holiness
IV. A ________________ of All

Preaching is not always an either or situation. Any given sermon may use elements from all of
the various types of preaching.

Lesson 7, Appendix 1, Textual Sermon

Sample Textual Sermon

NOTE: This message was delivered by Pastor Frank Damazio in a Portland Bible College chapel
service January 12, 1994.

Title of Message: Seriously Seeking God

Text for Message: Hosea 10:12b
“Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on
you."

Outline for Message:

I. Introduction
God is calling His people to serious prayer because of something He wants to do among us.

II. The Body of the Message

A. The Preparation for Prayer – “Break up”
B. The Hindrance to Prayer – “Fallow ground”
C. The Time for Prayer – “Now is the time”
D. The Determined Action of Prayer – “Seeking the Lord”
E. The Persistence of Prayer – “Until”
F. The Results of Godly Prayer – “He comes… and rains on you”

III. Conclusion

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Lesson 7, Appendix 2, Topical Sermon

Sample Topical Sermon

Message Title: When God Comes Down

Outline:
I. Introduction

Thematic Statement:
When God comes down, He does so with specific purposes in mind which must be discerned
by us if we are going to receive the full benefit of His coming.

II. Specific Purposes for His Coming

A. To find those who will seek him (II Chron. 16:9; Ps. 14:2; Is. 55:6-7).
B. To speak to His people (Ex. 19:11, 20).
C. To vindicate His people (Is. 31:4-5).
D. To deliver those who are bound (Ex. 3:8).
E. To refresh and water His people (Acts 3:19; Ps. 72:6)
F. To ignite the church with Holy Ghost fire (Is. 64:1-2).
G. To draw the world to Himself (Is. 64:1-5).

III. Conclusion

In this special time of visitation, reach out to God for what He wants to do in you.

Lesson 7, Appendix 3, Sermon Framework, Sermon #1

Sermon #1- Extended Exhortation (9-10 minutes)

The first sermon is an extended exhortation of 9-10 minutes. It can utilize any of the preaching
methods discussed and should contain the following elements.

I. Introduction – The introduction should contain most of the following elements, not
necessarily in this order.
A. Greeting
B. Title (Optional)
C. Thematic or Purpose Statement
D. Prayer
E. Text
F. Outline Overview
G. Transitional Statement

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 II. Body – Spiritual Principle
It is best in a short sermon to focus on one or two principles or points. Each point should be
treated in the following manner.

A. Principles Discovered (Text/Verse)

B. Principle Expounded
 Word Studies
 Background Information
 Supporting Verse

C. Principle Illustrated
 Biblical Example
 Personal Illustration
 Dramatic Illustration
 Statistics, etc.

D. Review Thematic Statement

E. Transitional Statement

III. Conclusion – The conclusion should contain most of the following elements, not necessarily in
this order.
A. Review and Summarization
B. Concluding Information
C. Invitation and Decision
D. Prayer

Lesson 7, Appendix 5, The Five Step Sermon

The Five Step Sermon

Leonard Fox and Bill Scheidler

The following outline has proven effective in walking through the preparation of hundreds of sermons in
over 30 years of ministry.

1. The Attention Step

The Challenge: “Make me want to listen, I dare you!”

Element: Humor, pointed questions, startling statements, rhetorical questions, illustrations, visual
aid, true story.

2. The Need Step

The Challenge: “What needs to be done and why?”

Elements: Statements of fact, warnings of danger, importance of topic, illustration, ramifications,

actual present tense situations.
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3. The Satisfaction Step
The Challenge: “What do I do to satisfy the need?”
Elements: Statement, explanation, demonstration, practical experience, meeting objectives.

4. The Visualization Step

The Challenge: “Can I see myself enjoying the doing of this?”

Elements: Describing benefits of doing, describe consequences of not doing, contrasting positives and
negatives.

5. The Action Step

The Challenge: “What must I do and how should I do it?”
Elements: Challenge, appeal, summary, quotation, key verse, illustration, inducement, personal
intention, clear steps to success.