There are two basic types of sermons: topical and expository. Topical sermons deal with current issues of human concern – for instance, how to foster and preserve good relationships, parenting, emotional control, and so on. In topical sermons, Biblical incidents are selected and woven together so that they address the issues or problems that affect people’s lives. A topical sermon may contain Biblical extracts from several chapters and verses dealing with one topic.
Let us take an example the problem of Biblical illiteracy. A recent poll in the US revealed that many people thought that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. We are witnessing growing Biblical illiteracy among people today. We can see how a topical sermon addresses this worrying issue.
The Holy Bible has several wonderful verses related to this issue. We can see how verses from four different Biblical chapters address one single issue in the above-mentioned example. A topical sermon on this issue may contain material from any number of chapters and verses, depending on the amount of time that a preacher and the audience spend together in the church. The point is that all the contents of the sermon address a single issue or problem.
There are many issues such as fasting, life after death, capital punishment, emotional control, etc. which can be dealt with by using topical sermons.
The other kind of sermon is expository, in which one part of the Bible is explored in depth. This kind of sermon is just as rich, but more academically oriented.
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Expository Sermons
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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While topical sermons are based on human problems and issues, expository sermons are based on Biblical texts. The Sermon on the Mount is a very good example of an expository sermon. In his sermon, part of which is as follows, Christ lays down all Christian...
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How to Write a Sermon
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Planning is essential before writing an effective sermon. The first step is to identify with the audience. This requires a lot of empathizing. Misunderstanding among people can be reduced if they step into the other’s shoes. The second step is to infer whether it is...
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Sermons
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Free Sermons
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Many Christian organizations develop sermons that can be ordered or downloaded at their websites free of cost. Many of them are textual, while some are audio versions with very good sound quality. Some organizations offer free CDs for which all that the seeker has to...
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Audio Sermons
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Living a fast-track life style today, people need a lot of spiritual guidance to lead peaceful lives. As people’s lives become increasingly digitally-oriented, they are left with increasingly less time to spend on daily morning walks, weekend outings and places of worship. There is a...
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Sermon Help
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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There are many Christian organizations that offer sermon help to the preacher, parent, kids or any other person through their websites. People looking for help simply need to go to the website and click on the relevant link. The help covers a wide range that...
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Topical Vitamin C
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Topical Vitamin C is one of the most recent developments in the world of medical science, as an aid for skin protection. Vitamin C, when manufactured into a Topical formation, becomes an excellent antidote against photoaging of the skin. The currently available products contain very...
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Christian Mother’s Day Gifts
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If you are looking to buy your mother a Christian gift for Mother’s Day, you have more choices than you think. Besides picking up a nice, new copy of the Bible, you will find that there are many other options available today that will make...
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Sermon Collections
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Some of us listen to the speech and forget it the moment the function ends. Some of us retain part of what the speaker says. Some of us take a pencil and paper and note down all the important points. Why? It is because we...
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Bible Correspondence Courses
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Reading the Bible can be mystifying and difficult to get started. Bible correspondence courses are designed to lead students through the Bible. Anyone can undertake a free Bible study course in the comfort of his or her home. The only details required for enrolment are...