Preaching 101: The Basics of Preaching

Objectives:
- to know how to speak in public
- to know what is preaching
- to know the difference between preaching and public speaking
- to know the steps in making a sermon message

Importance

As servants of Yahweh, we are tasked to look after the spiritual well-being of

our members. One of the activities that a servant does, often with great
impact, is preaching. We are given the humbling task to feed spiritual food
to the brethren.
Matthew 4:4 NIV
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the
mouth of Yahweh.”

Knowing its great implication to the life of the believers, it is important that
we do our best and prepare for the task well. After all, it is Yahweh that we
are serving and not men.

Most of our listeners are not well-off. Often, they have to borrow money and
travel long distance just to attend at the place of worship. Ministers should
do their part by preparing for their sermons well and making sure that the
efforts of the listeners in attending the service are worth it.

That being said, we should never stand in front unprepared or inadequately

prepared. The people will know if you have prepared for the message or not.

If we cannot fill their spiritual needs because of boring and inadequate

preaching, they will seek somewhere else. Hopefully not to the nice-
sounding but charlatan preachers.
-pa ulit-ulit na preaching

I. Things to remember when speaking in Public

Public speaking is “the art of effective oral communication with an audience”

(Merriam-Webster Dictionary). In a way, preaching is a kind of public
speaking.

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Since communication is the primary objective of preaching,

Here are some things to remember when doing a public speaking:

• Establish rapport with your audience. Greet your audience. Win their
heart first before giving the message. If you are a visitor, say something
good that you have observed about them (what a lively congregation,
good music, faithful brethren, beautiful structure). Talk like you talk to
each one of them.
• Show enthusiasm. Show energy! I once watched an audition for a talent
show in TV. The contestants were lining up waiting for their turn to
perform. One of the crew was holding a placard in front of the performer
with the words, “energy!”. Enthusiasm is contagious. Look enthusiastic.
The enthusiasm of the speaker should be a mile longer than the listener.
(Example, our topic for today is about love..huh hmm (sleepy). Appear
enthusiastic!)
• Know your materials thoroughly. Practice. Practice. Practice. The antidote
to nervousness is confidence. No substitute to it.
• Dress appropriately for the occasion. Avoid people noticing you instead
of your message.

• Project your voice to the person farthest away from you to ensure your
voice is loud enough for them to hear. Speak loudly and clearly.
• Use appropriate gestures. Don’t be like a robot. Show what you say!
• Speak with conviction as if you really believe in what you are saying.
• If you made an error, correct it, and continue. No need to dwell in it or
apologize profusely. Move on.

• Maintain sincere eye contact with your audience. Use your eye contact to
make everyone in your audience feel involved. Look at the forehead of
your audience if you feel being distracted by their facial expression.
• Do not read from your notes for a long time. Glance at your audience.
• Keep audience interested throughout your entire presentation. You can
do this by adding interesting stories and appropriate humor whenever
possible
• Content is king. Delivery is queen (voice projection, audience rapport,
gestures, enthusiasm). The substance of the message is of foremost
importance. How you deliver it is second importance. The two come
together. Ensure your speech will be worth the time and attention of the
listeners.
• Stay within the allotted time (not 10 minutes and 1 hour)

• Put what you have to say in a logical sequence.

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• Know the needs of your audience and match your contents to their
needs.
• Look pleasant, enthusiastic, and confident.
• Remain calm. Appear relaxed, even if you feel nervous.

II. Definition of Biblical Preaching

Biblical Preaching is defined as the “declaration, interpretation, and

application of scriptural truths”. As per definition, there are 3 elements that
should be present in a sermon or message:

1. Declaration of the Scripture – the Scripture is the basis of the sermon

message. Not an autobiography of the preacher so stop talking about
your life or about current events.

Colonel Ben Price, Chief Chaplain, Fort Knox, has observed:

“I think our people are fed up listening to the personal opinions of individuals
from pulpits which fail to be grounded to the eternal truths of [Yahweh].”
- is the Bible being read? If not, it is not preaching but public speaking.

2. Interpretation (explain) of the Scriptures so that the listeners will

understand. Use illustrations and examples to aid in the explanation.

3. Show the listeners how they can apply the Scriptural truths in their
lives. The purpose of preaching is changed lives.
- Use examples to illustrate

In short, when preaching:

• state or read the Scriptural text (a verse, a paragraph or chapter)
• explain what it means (give example)
• show how to apply it (example)

The preacher cannot provide adequate Biblical support without having a

comprehensive grasp of the Bible. He cannot preach the Word unless he
knows the Word. It is imperative that he continuously study the Bible. Set at
least an hour a day for Bible study. If really busy, read a chapter a day. Buy
Bible apps (Study Bible, concordance, commentaries) and the internet to
aid you in making the message.

The preacher must be careful in what he says because the listeners will
accept it as truth.

III. Public speaking vs. Preaching sermon

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How is preaching different from ordinary speech?
Public speaking is “the art of effective oral communication with an audience”
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary). On the other hand, preaching is defined as
the “declaration, interpretation, and application of scriptural truths.”

The uniqueness of a preaching message is seen in the source of the

message, which is the word of Yahweh. Its aim is righteous living (changed
lives or outlook in life). You will know whether you are making a public
speaking or preaching by the contents of your message.

IV. Steps in Making a Sermon

The most common mistake of a preacher is not having enough time to

prepare. Friday night is too late to be working on your message. The best
sermon usually comes from unhurried thinking and ample time for
preparation. Ideally, by Monday, you should already start thinking about
your topic for the Sabbath. By Wednesday, you should have started with
your message. By Friday, apply the finishing touches or refinements in your
message.

Select topics for the messages that are relevant to the needs of the
listeners. In order to cover all important areas, the preacher should make a
list of topics he intends to discuss for the next 6 months. This should be also
in line with his vision for the congregation for the next 6 months, as well as
his long term goal or vision for the congregation.

A. Pray for wisdom

- always start with a prayer. Pray for guidance and wisdom.
B. Choose a text reference – This can be:
• a whole book of the Scriptures - example, the story of Jonah
swallowed by a whale (How Yahweh does the impossible to bring about
His will)
• a story - example, the life of Joseph (How Yahweh cared and protected
Joseph in a Foreign land)
• a chapter of the book - example, Psalm 1 – The Righteous man vs. the
Wicked Man
• a paragraph - example, Ephesians 6:11-17- The Armor of Yahweh
• a single verse - example, Hebrews 4:7-
“Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Choose something that you can amply cover with the time allotted for
your message.

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C. Know the objective(s) of the sermon:
• Instruct (inform)
- example, to know who are the real Israelites? Can Faith alone save?
Can we trust the Book of Mormon? Do Science and Bible agree?
• Persuade (move people to action)
- why we should not harden our hearts! Be grateful! There remains a
sabbath of rest! Why we should keep the feasts! His name is Yahweh!
Why we need to call in the true name of the Savior?
• Correct wrong doctrines or practices
- why we should not eat unclean foods? What is the correct day of
worship? Why we do not celebrate Christmas
• Convert unbelievers
- Why we should believe in Yahshua and not Jesus, Yahweh and not
Lord, God, Jehovah. Who is our Savior?
• Comfort those in grief or in pain
- this is usually preached during internment, burial or memorial.

The sermon will be ineffective if it does not have a definite aim which it
desires to accomplish.

D. Make a proposed title for your message

This will limit the scope of your message

E. Make a Sermon outline

When a person stands in front to give a message and does not carry any
outline with him, only two things come into my mind: either he knows his
message very well that he does not need any outline or he did not prepare
for his message (bahala na). Also, the one without an outline often wanders
from one topic to another.

It is very important to have a sermon outline when standing in fronting the

audience. The advantages of having one are:

• the speaker stays within the topic (the usual problem for those without
an outline - starts with law, wanders around to different topics then ends
up with the name)
• the message is “meaty” or substantive to meet the spiritual needs of the
listeners. The outline also limits your research and allows you to focus on
the items listed. It will be easy to develop the topic & subtopic.
• the perception that you come in prepared
• it can be archived for future reference (important)

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It can easily be retrieved when you need it. The next time to talk about a
topic, you just need to review it, saving you much time. When you are
unexpectedly given the task to talk, you can easily do it,

The sermon has 3 parts: Introduction, Body and Conclusion

A. Introduction –
- establish rapport with the audience or give a short background of the
message.
- states your objectives and the reason why the message is important and
why the audience should listen.
- get the interest of the audience in the first few minutes. If you cannot get
the attention of the listeners in the first 5 minutes, probably, he won’t be
able to do it for the rest of your message.
- apologies should be avoided in the introduction. Never say that you are
sorry because you have not prepared for your message well due to lack of
time. That will turn people off and wonder why you are there standing in
front.

The following can be used in the Introduction:

• a startling statement
- Failure is not an option! “We have been deceived”!
“Give me liberty or give me death!” By Patrick Henry
• a question or series of question
- Have you seen the face of Death? Have you experienced the horrors of
war? Have you been in love and failed? Did the one you love loved another?
• a Quotation
- “A lie, when repeated a thousand times, becomes an absolute truth.”
• a witty, humorous or amusing incident or story
- a letter written by a tax evader: Dear sir, I am returning the 1,000 dollars
that I misdeclared from my tax last year. I was not able to sleep because I
was bothered by my conscience. However, if I am still not able to sleep some
more, I will return the remaining balance.
• a personal observation/experience
- I can see that this congregation has faithful members. Even those who
well advance in years are still attending. This congregation has a great and
lively music with great singers or band

• State the title of your Message

• State the objectives of your Message

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B. Body –
1. State the Text reference of your message.
This may be a particular book of the Scripture, a story, a chapter of a book,
paragraph, verse, or a phrase within the verse

2. Interpret (explain) the text

a. Make the main points of the message (not more than 5 main points).
Example:
The Armor of Yahweh - a. Belt of Truth, b. Breastplate of righteousness, c.
Feet that brings good news, d. Shield of Faith, e. Helmet of Salvation, f.
Sword of the Sprit

b. Develop the main points

1. Development by Interrogation- what, why, when, who, where, how

• What is the passage all about?
• Who is the writer?
• What is the background or the setting?
• What is the significance of the text?
• To whom is it addressed?
• Where is the location?
• Are there archaeological findings to support?

2. Development by exposition – expounding/explaining the text

• Define terms/words (etymology, synonyms)
• Restate the idea in different words
• Give details
• Give reasons to support your sermon objective
• Cite other references (tell what others say about it like encyclopedia,
reference books, famous people, etc.)

c. Give example or illustrations

The preacher that shows good illustrations keeps his congregation
awake; the one who use unadorned abstraction puts his people to
sleep. People are interested in stories.

The sources where to get examples or illustrations:

• Stories from Scripture
• Personal observation/experience (the use of human interest stories is
the most interesting way to inform, convince or persuade)
• History

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 • TV, newspaper, internet, magazines, etc.
• Internet- Pictures, video clips, articles (beware of fake news)

3. Application of the text

– show how the Scriptural truths can be applied to the daily life of the
listeners.

C. Conclusion
The conclusion can have one of the following functions:
• Summarize the main ideas and refresh the minds of the audience
• Reinforce the truth in the hearer’s memory
• Appeal for the acceptance of a new belief or the correction of present
beliefs

The conclusion may include one of the following:

• Quotation or proverb
• Verse
• Poem
• Parts of the Song
• Prayer

Do not use humorous remarks or jokes in the conclusion.

Examples:

Put on the Armor of Yahweh

Text Reference: Ephesians 6:11-17
Title: Put on the Armor of Yahweh
Objective:
- to inform the listeners what the Armor of Yahweh is
- to know how they can use it against the attacks of Satan

Introduction:
• During the Desert Storm in 1991, the Allied Forces jammed the radars of
the Iraqi forces and used Stealth Bombers to bomb vital military
installations. The Iraqis were blind and unaware where the attacks were
coming from.
• Similarly, like the stealth bombers, our enemy cannot also be seen.
According to Ephesians 6:12, our struggle is not against flesh and blood
but against the dark powers of this world.

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• What can we do about it? The Solution can be found in the Book of
Ephesians 6:11-17, the Armor of Yahweh. And that is my message for
today, “Put on the Armor of Yahweh.”

Objective:
• The Objective of my message for today are: To know what is the armor of
Yahweh and how we can use it against the attacks of Satan.

According to the famous Chinese general who wrote the book, “The Art of
War,” General Sun Tzu, for us to win in any battle, we should, “Know
yourself, know your enemy, and win a hundred battles.”

Importance:
verse 11 – it is important that we take the armor of Yahweh in order to
defeat the enemy, Satan.
verse 12 – Our struggles is against the dark powers of this world and not
against humans that can be seen

Body:
What is the Armor of Yahweh?
1. Belt of Truth (v. 14)
• In the military, the utility belt is used to hold things together.

Application:
• Similarly, it is truth that holds us together. If there is any lie in our lives,
people will distrust us and relationships crumble (Proverbs 12:19). If our
doctrines/teachings are false, people will leave.

2. Breastplate of righteousness (v.14)

• Breast plate is the shiny metallic part covering the body
Application:
• Our righteous acts is like the breast plate that people look at (Galatians
5:22-23)

3. Feet that brings good news (v.15)

• Sandals/boots are used for endurance walking
Application:
• We should be spiritually strong to walk our faith and share it to others

4. Shield of Faith (v.16)

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• Soldiers use shield to cover themselves from arrows.

Application:
• Our faith shields us from the flaming arrows of satan.

5. Helmet of Salvation (V.17)

• Helmets protect the most vulnerable part of the body, the head.
Application:
• We should guard our salvation, the most important gift to us.

6. Sword of the Sprit (v.17)

• The sword is used for offense.
Application:
• The word of Yahweh is like s sword that can used to counter all the lies of
satan.

Conclusion:

Therefore, we need to put on the whole armor of Yahweh to defeat our

enemy, Satan.
“Know yourself, know the enemy and win a hundred battles.” – Sun Tzu

Example 2:
Do not Harden your Hearts (Heb. 4:7)
1. Hardening of our hearts can lead to our destruction (Example pharaoh)
2. We cannot hear Yahweh’s voice if our heart is hardened
3. Yahweh is not pleased if our hearts are hardened (Ps)
Conclusion: Turn your hearts upon Yahshua

Conclusion
Sermon preparation may take a lot of our time, but as servants of the Most,
that is one of the tasks that we do to “feed the sheep”. It is through our love
for Yahweh that compels us to do it. It is a labor of love for His cause. As
such, there should be a burden in our hearts to serve the spiritual needs of

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the brethren. Our task may not be easy, but remember this, “there is joy in
serving Abba Yahweh and our Savior Yahshua”.

Members do not leave the congregation because it is small in numbers or

does not have great structure:

“Nobody leaves because the situation is hard. They leave because they no
longer find it worthwhile to stay.”

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