Balanced Preaching
I don’t know where I read it, but this statement has stuck with me for, literally, years. “Every great sermon is a function of both inspiration and perspiration.”
The inspiration is God’s business. He provides the material. The perspiration is our business. We have to communicate that material.
Every great sermon is a function of both inspiration and perspiration.
That being the case, before one can be a teacher, he/she needs to be a student. Put another way, when it comes to preaching, preparation before the pulpit is every bit as important as presentation in the pulpit.
Michael Fabarez insightfully comments on this:
“It doesn’t take much discipline to show up when the crowd expects you but choosing the quiet work of preparation requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline and perseverance.”
Michael Fabarez
Preaching That Changes Lives
Solid preparation, however, isn’t limited to the hours in the study the week of the sermon. It requires hours of planning many weeks in advance.
As such, using an annual preaching calendar can be hugely beneficial. I’ve created some resources to help you with the why’s and how’s of using an annual preaching calendar, including an interactive calendar template you can personalize. Free downloads are available HERE.
Even when taking “the long view,” however, if the preacher is not careful, he/she can revert to familiar themes and favorite issues. As such one can fail to present what the Apostle Paul referred to as “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
If the preacher is not careful, he/she can revert to familiar themes and favorite issues. As such one can fail to present what the Apostle Paul referred to as “the whole counsel of God.”
If you doubt the reality of this tendency toward personal preference, let me challenge you to do a personal assessment. Go back through the last 12 months of your messages and make note of the topic of each message and the scripture references you used.
What you may discover is that you tend to lean in one particular direction and favor one particular style. Perhaps that direction is teaching mostly from the Epistles of the New Testament versus the narrative passages found in the Old Testament.
It could be an avoidance of difficult subjects (tithing, divorce, sexuality) and a gravitation toward the easier topics (fellowship, heaven, joy).
Maybe it’s a predisposition to preach topical series versus textual series. Or to call people to “step up” as opposed to encouraging them to “lean in.”
The fact is, God chose to communicate in His Word in various ways. At times He would use historic accounts from which lessons could be learned.
On other occasions, it was through letters that were written to churches. And, of course, there are the detailed teachings of Jesus.
Apparently, the Lord knew that different messages demanded different methods. Why? Because people learn in different ways.
Monitor Your Balance
That being the case, let me suggest that you monitor the balance of your preaching in these categories:
Vertical vs. horizontal – messages regarding our relationship with God as opposed to messages regarding our relationship with others
Old Testament vs. New Testament – teaching from the Pentateuch, historical books, poetry, and prophets as opposed to the gospels and epistles
Narrative vs. Didactic – historical accounts as opposed to specific instruction
Topical vs. Textual – teaching on a particular subject (prayer, forgiveness, marriage, stewardship) as opposed to moving through a book (I Samuel, Jonah, Malachi, Mark, Acts, Philippians) or section of a book (Abraham, David, Parables of Jesus, Seven Churches of Revelation)
Exhortation (imperative) vs. Encouragement (indicative) – “This is what you are to DO!” as opposed to “This is who you ARE!”
So take the time to consider how balanced your preaching is. Better yet, ask your spouse or a few friends what they think. You may find that they have some eye-opening observations that can keep you from falling victim to your blind spots.
Balanced preaching is not simply a key to giving your people a healthy diet, it’s a way whereby you honor the One who provided the spiritual food.
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