A Basic Sermon Model – Three Points and a Poem

Posted on February 8, 2008

One of the most persistent models of preaching has been termed “Three points and a Poem.” What it means is that the preacher makes three points and then ends with a poem. Some preachers have termed the same sermon method as “Three points and a celebration.”

Biblical Preaching – Appeal to Aspiration

Posted on February 5, 2008

The next appeal that Charles Koller speaks of in his book entitled How to Preach Without Notes is The appeal to Aspiration. This is the hunger of both “spiritual happiness” and “completeness.”

Race, Racism, and the Biblical Narratives by Cain Hope Felder on Sale for .99 at Christianbook.com

Posted on February 5, 2008

Koller’s Appeals – The Appeal to Altruism

Posted on February 4, 2008

Charles Koller’s first appeal of Biblical preaching is the appeal to altruism which he defines as: “a benevolent regard for the interests of others.”

Sermon Should Transform Us Before Others

Posted on January 31, 2008

I remember one time trying to make some dry beans. I had been used to the frozen beans that cooked very quickly. I didn’t realize that the dry beans need much more time. It felt like they cooked and cooked and cooked. But they were never done. Finally, they got to the point where they were ready for eating. A little seasoning and the outcome was much better than the frozen beans I was used to eating.

Charles Koller’s Appeals of Bible Preaching

Posted on January 31, 2008

Charles Koller’s excellent book entitled How To Preach Without Notes devotes chapter 16 to the topic of The Basic Appeals in Biblical Preaching. We will work our way through these appeals in the coming days.

Charles G. Adams Preaching Method

Posted on January 30, 2008

Charles G. Adams provides a discussion of his sermon preparation method in Cleophus LaRue’s book Power in the Pulpit. It is detailed and comprehensive.

Sermon Preparation

Pastor Adams first emphasizes that prayer is at the beginning of the sermon. In addition, the preacher must have a text from the Bible and a subject from the preacher.

Preaching out of the Overflow

Posted on January 29, 2008

The last general principle Cleophus LaRue writes about in his book before walking through the methods of the great preachers is Preaching Out of the Overflow

Hymns in Preaching

Posted on January 24, 2008

Cleophus LaRue speaks of hymnody in his book Power in the Pulpit. Preachers have used the power of hymns in their preaching for centuries. LaRue notes that some preachers quote hymns here and there throughout the sermon. Other preachers use it during the “celebration” phase of the sermon.

The Sermon is Never Finished

Posted on January 23, 2008

Cleophus LaRue’s next principle of effective sermons is The Sermon as Continuous Creation.

The preacher is to always think on the sermon. Even after it is “ready” for preaching, the preacher is still thinking of new ideas and new ways to present certain ideas.

Closing the Sermon Right

Posted on January 21, 2008

If you are going to preach an effective sermon you must follow Cleophus LaRue’s next principle of effective sermons which is A Fitting Close to the Sermon

The Manuscript and Great Preaching

Posted on January 18, 2008

Cleophus LaRue speaks of the Importance of a Manuscript in his bookPower in the Pulpit. This is another element of great preaching.

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