Homiletics (11): The sermon must be carried outside the church

When members leave after a divine service, what is it that they take home with them? Is the sermon already forgotten when they exit the gate? Or was there a clear goal or purpose shaping the sermon?

Every sermon is like taking the congregation on a journey, with a beginning, a purposeful path, to a destination. Reaching that destination is important. Sermons that are goal-orientated drive home the message and offer “take-home” value, whereby the gospel accompanies people back to their everyday lives. 

Set a clear goal for the sermon

Before developing the main points (the body) of the sermon, it is a good idea to establish a clear goal. What should the sermon have achieved by the time the summary and conclusion are delivered? What is its “take-home” value? This goal must be a confluence between the sermon’s main message, the Bible text, and the contextual needs of the congregation. Also, the nature of the sermon’s goal will depend on the nature of the message itself and will be influenced by the various factors discussed below. The minister must decide on which aspects to focus and how to bring them across.

Gathering, equipping, sending

We can categorise sermons into three distinct types: gathering the church, equipping the church, and sending the church. 

First, the church must be gathered. It is about bringing people to Christ and having faith in the gospel. It is about introducing them to the mission of the Apostle ministry. The gospel (“good news”) and the doctrine and mission of the church must be announced to all. 

Second, the church must be equipped with knowledge and skills. This involves preaching that teaches knowledge of the gospel and the doctrine of the church, while also providing “how-to” guidance for applying the gospel in the face of contemporary circumstances. Such preaching is a call to decision, to change one’s attitude and behaviour. Preaching also seeks to heal, and to offer comfort and hope. 

Third, the church must be sent into the world to give witness of the gospel and the mission of the church, which in turn, will help to gather the church. It is also about reaching out to those in need. 

Think about the goal of the sermon. Is it to gather? Is it to equip? Is it to send? 

Remember your role as a preacher 

As a minister of the word, you are a source of blessing. Remember:

• You are a source of authority: a servant leader sent by the Apostle ministry to preach.
• You are a source of knowledge: proclaiming the gospel, teaching doctrine, and offering “how-to” skills. 
• You are a source of healing: proclaiming God’s love, forgiveness, hope, and reconciliation.
• You are a source of meaning.

With regards to the latter, having contemplated the main message of the sermon and the contextual needs of the congregation, ask yourself: after the sermon, what is it that the members should: know or understand, feel, believe, decide, and finally do?

This must inform their sense of

• identity:           Who am I?
• value:              Do I matter?
• purpose:          Why am I here?
• agency:            Can I make a difference?

So, consider the specific context of the congregation and how the above pointers can help shape the purpose and “take-home” value of the sermon. 

From active listening to active implementation

Once you have determined the goal of your sermon, incorporate it into your summary. The congregation should clearly sense that they have reached the end of the sermon, but also that they have a particular task or responsibility when they leave. This is the one thing they need to take with them from the sermon. This must be the “take-home” value of the sermon, and is the point where the “world of meaning” of the gospel connects with—and begins to transform—the “world of meaning” of the members. 

This goal is not something fixed or unchangeable. As you deepen your understanding of main message, and while developing the body and experiencing moments of personal discovery, you can always change the goal of the sermon accordingly. What is important is that the central message is communicated in a way that is appropriate to the context, and that it leads to “take-home” value for the members to reflect and act upon.

A sermon must not be a once-off event that remains within the church walls. Members are to carry the message with them, internalise it, and experience personal transformation. Then they themselves become a living sermon to the world by being what they are called to be: children of God. 

Photo: Gita – stock.adobe.com

About the author

Markus Cromhout (born 1972) is a theologian at the New Apostolic Church Southern Africa. He is active in his congregation as an Evangelist. He studied at the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria and obtained his doctorate in New Testament Studies. In addition to scientific publications, he also writes popular science. He conducted seminars on the subject of “Homiletics” and provides weekly background videos.