The Ingredients of a Great Sermon

Most of us who have heard plenty of sermons have an instinctive idea of what makes a sermon effective. Sometimes we are just gripped by the word spoken. Other times it feels like something is missing.

Ultimately, the power of a sermon is in what the Holy Spirit chooses to do through it. God’s word that goes out will fulfil his purposes, as promised in Isaiah: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Still, as preachers we are called to be diligent in our craft and to do everything we can to make our sermons powerful and impactful.

We have identified seven features of great sermons, that we discuss in the coming videos. When we give feedback to a preacher these are the things that we look at with them and encourage them to develop in.