Steven P. Vitrano
Steven P. Vitrano, PhD, is professor emeritus of preaching, worship, and evangelism, Andrews University Theological Seminary, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.
Whatever happened to the resurrection?
Without the cross there would be no resurrection, but without the resurrection the cross would only memorialize a wasteful martyrdom.
Good Sermons Take Time
PREPARING a good sermon takes time. It is a creative enterprise and therefore challenges a person's inner resources because what is created is born of the soul. But as a church elder, the time you give to the work of the church is limited. You are not a professional public speaker or "preacher," and therefore, you may have to settle for less than the ideal. . .
"So What?"
IT WAS said earlier that a textual sermon must have a theme, the amplification of the theme, and the application of the theme. So far, quite a bit has been said about the theme and its amplification, but nothing as to its application. This must not be overlooked, however, because it is in the application of the theme that the sermon finds its relevance. When a person can say after hearing a sermon, "So what?" the sermon has lost its soul. . .
Preaching From Longer Passages
THE textual sermon may involve a sentence or two, a paragraph, or a longer passage such as a chapter or a whole book of the Bible. A sermon involving a longer passage has traditionally been called an expository sermon. I have not used that terminology because whether long or short, the sermon must be an exposition of the text, the text must be analyzed with respect to its unity, organization, and progress. . .
Saying What Scripture Says
WHILE reading the Bible, you are impressed that you should preach on a particular passage. Let us say the passage is 1 John 1:8-10, R.S.V.: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.". . .
The Textual Sermon
YOU ARE READING a passage from Scripture. As you read, you are impressed that a portion of what you are reading would be helpful to the church you serve and would make a good sermon. Moved by the Spirit, you decide to use this text the next time you are called upon to preach. . .
Unity in the Sermon
COHERENCE in the sermon is determined, to a large degree, by whether or not the parts of the sermon are properly arranged. . .
Organizing the Topical Sermon
YOU have been asked to preach next Sabbath. What are you going to preach about? Or perhaps the question should be, What should you preach about? The reason for changing the question is that preaching is not a matter of proclaiming your words, but God's Word. . .
Overcoming Poor Articulation
DID YOU ever hear someone speak who sounded as though he were trying to talk through a mouthful of pebbles? Wasn't clear, was it? Either he couldn't articulate well or he didn't. When there is a serious speech impediment affecting the speech mechanism the problem is serious indeed there may be no easy solution. But often muffled, mumbled, or sloppy speech may be the result of faulty speech habits. . .
Speaking With Power
CLARITY in preaching is not only a matter of central theme, precise word usage and sentence structure, and illustrations that illustrate. All of this may be in perfect order, but if the speech cannot be heard or understood little has been gained. Adequate attention must be given to proper speech production. . .