Types of SermonsTypes of Sermons

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

There are three main types of sermons for the purpose of our study:I. Expository SermonsI. Expository Sermons

A. Expository sermons are biblical sermons.

A. Expository sermons are biblical sermons.

B. Expository preaching is biblically instructive preaching.

B. Expository preaching is biblically instructive 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 discipleship.

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 discipleship.

C. Expository preaching is preaching that expounds the Scriptures as a coherent and coordinated body of revealed truth.

C. Expository preaching is preaching that expounds the Scriptures as a coherent and coordinated body of revealed truth.

D. There are various types of expository preaching.

D. There are various types of expository preaching.

1. There is the running commentary method.

1. There is the running commentary 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.

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 reading method.

2. There is the Bible reading 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.

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 expositional method.

3. There is the purely expositional 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.

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 sermonizing method.

4. There is the sermonizing method.

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

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 obvious features or the main point of the passage.

a. The sermonizing method should only be concerned about the obvious features or the main point of the passage.

b. The sermonizing method should primarily be concerned about the spiritual meaning and implications of the passage.

b. The sermonizing method should primarily be concerned about the spiritual meaning and implications of the passage.

c. The sermonizing method should always have a penetrating and focused message with a strong emphasis on application to life.

c. The sermonizing method should always have a penetrating and focused message with a strong emphasis on application to life.

II. Textual SermonsII. Textual Sermons

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

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

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

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

C. The textual sermon usually involves a shorter passage and a more detailed analysis.

C. The textual sermon usually involves a shorter passage and a more detailed analysis.

III. Topical SermonsIII. Topical Sermons

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

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

B. There are many variations of the topical sermon.

B. There are many variations of the topical sermon.

1. Doctrinal Sermons 1. Doctrinal Sermons

Some examples of this type of sermon might include:Some examples of this type of sermon might include:

• The Attributes of God• The Attributes of God

• The Baptism of the Holy Spirit• The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

• The Atonement• The Atonement

• The Authority of the Believer• The Authority of the Believer

• The Church• The Church

2. Biographical Sermons2. Biographical Sermons

Biographical sermons are drawn from Bible characters who serve as a positive or negative example of actions and their results.

Biographical sermons are drawn from Bible characters who serve as a positive or negative example of actions and their results.

Some examples of this type of sermon might include:Some examples of this type of sermon might include:

• Joseph• Joseph

• Abraham• Abraham

• Sarah• Sarah

• David• David

• Elijah• Elijah

3. Ethical Discourse3. Ethical Discourse

The ethical discourse draws from principles in the Scripture and applies them to issues that may not be directly addressed in the Bible.

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:Some examples of this type of sermon might include:

• Social Issues• Social Issues

• Abortion• Abortion

• Prejudice• Prejudice

• Suicide• Suicide

4. Word Study 4. Word Study

A word study usually focuses on one word or one concept and brings a biblical challenge regarding that topic.

A word study usually focuses on one word or one concept and brings a biblical challenge regarding that topic.

Some examples of this type of sermon might include:Some examples of this type of sermon might include:

• Faith• Faith

• Love• Love

• Obedience• Obedience

• Prayer• Prayer

• Holiness• Holiness

IV. A Combination of AllIV. A Combination of All

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

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