HOMILETICS 1 Hand Outs

Dr. Joey N. Eguia

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1 Semester 2016-17/ IBC
The Sermon and its Structure
I. Definition of a sermon
A. A form of discourse on Scriptural truth, designed to
save or edify the hearer
B. A speech spoken in behalf of or in the name of God
C. An oral address to the popular mind, upon scriptural
truth contained in the Bible, elaborately treated and with
a view to persuasion
1. An oral, or Spoken address
a. Not designed for reading
b. Designed for hearing
C. Should be spoken loudly
d. Should be pronounced clearly
2. It is to the popular mind
a. Should use language all can understand
b. Be careful to explain difficult words
3. It is upon Scriptural truth contained in the Bible
a. Eliminates sermons that rest on other authorities,
such as tradition or science
b. Preacher is not sent to reconstruct society but
to regenerate it
c. Temptation is to please the people rather than
to preach the Word
d. Sermons should present Christ, as He draws
people to Himself

e. Do not seek to entertain or discuss worldly topics

for entertainment
f. He must set forth scriptural truth
4. It is elaborately treated
a. Closely examined in relation to its context
b. Carefully analyzed
c. Real meaning of words explained
d. Truth illustrated
e. Lesson applied in a clear logical manner
f. Requires
1. Study
2. Orderly arrangement of the material
3. Clear presentation
g. Essential elements
1. Rhetoric- the use we make of the material
a. Its choice
b. Its adaptation
c. Its arrangement and expression
d. Learning to put the right words in the right
order
2. Grammar- choice and use we make of words &
the correct use and pronunciation of these words
3. Logic- right use of thought and rational powers
a. Arguments based on good sound reasoning
b. Arguments proceed in an orderly sequence,
from the less to the greater
5. It is with a view to persuasion
a. Gain the attention of the audience
b. Win the acceptance of the hearer

c. Cause the hearer to obey

d. Present the truth so that it will reach each
person in the audience
The structure of the sermon
A. Introduction
1. Like a bridge that spans
a. Ignorance to knowledge
b. Indifference to interest
c. Unbelief to faith
d. Inaction to decision
2. Preacher must conduct the hearer safely across
3. Approach the bridge from the hearer's sideintroduction
4. Main structure of the bridge- the body
5. The other side of the bridge is the conclusion or
application
B. Five parts to a sermon
1. Text
2. Theme
3. Introduction
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion

The text
1. Definition of the text
a. Derived from the Latin "textus" - means something

woven
b. may be a single verse or a whole passage
c. It is the authority or foundation from which
something is built
2. The necessity for the text
a. It gives authority to the message
b. It confines or should confine the preacher to his
subject
c. It gives unity to the sermon- presenting a complete
thought that can be retained by the audience
d. It prepares the hearers for the discussion that is
to follow
e. It promotes variety in preaching
3. The selection of the text
a. Be careful about choosing texts
1. Know the difference between inspired sentiment
and uninspired sentiment
2. Job 1:9, 2:4- The record of what satan said is
inspired but the words were his own sentiment.
3. Inspiration guarantees the truth of the record,
but not necessarily of the sentiment expressed
4. Make sure the sentiment is inspired before using
it as an authoritative message from God
5. Beware of drawing the attention of an unsaved
audience to any alleged flaws of a copyist
b. Texts, on the whole, should express a complete
thought.
1. Must have a verb
2. Should not be a form like the infinite or a

participle.
c. Avoid, as a rule the use of odd texts
1. A child bitten by a dog- "beware of dogs"
2. Text should be the cause of a sermon not the
excuse for one
d. Be careful about choosing texts that promise a
great effort that we cannot fulfil in the sermon
1. Some texts promise great things
2. Choose the text within your preaching capability
e. We should not be afraid to choose familiar texts
f. One should avoid using texts, the interpretation of
which is not clear to the preacher
g. Only those texts that personally appeal should be
taken
h. The text should be selected with one's audience in
mind.
4. The Interpretation of the Text
a. The most important part of the sermon
b. Interpretation is the process of ascertaining the
mind of the writer (What did the writer mean to
convey)
c. Sermons may be homiletically correct but have the
wrong interpretation
d. Distinguish between exegesis and exposition
1. Exegesis refers to the discovery of the material
a. From Greek
b. Means to lead and guide
c. Draws out the hidden meanings
2. Exposition refers to the display of the material

a. From Latin
b. Means to place out
c. Places the meaning out in a logical order
e. Guidelines for interpretation
1. The text should be interpreted honestly
a. Credit the writer with meaning exactly what he
says
b. Never twist a text to your viewpoint
c. There's a saying- "if it's new, it's not true
2. The text should be interpreted in the light of its
context
a. Look at what comes before and what follows
b. What is spoken
1. Who did the speaking
2. To whom did they speak
c. What words were used
d. What time was it
e. Where did it happen
f. What was the intent
g. What were the circumstances
3. The text should be interpreted in the light of its
language
a. Its grammatical construction
1. Apply rules of English grammar
2. Note parts of speech
3. Observe tenses
4. Observe syntax, - sentence construction
5. Observe punctuation
b. The exact meaning of the English words

c. The meaning of the words in the original

language
4. The text should be interpreted in light of Biblical
history, manners, customs, and geography
a. Local color, customs, and history often explain
difficult situations
b. Biblical geography is a helpful study
5. The text should be interpreted in light of the
general teaching of the Word of God
a. No doctrine can be based on an isolated text
but must have the support of all the other
scriptures
b. The spiritual must be compared with spiritual
1. Bible is not a collection of isolated texts
2. It is an organic whole
3. Everything interrelates
c. An obscure statement should never be allowed
to contradict, or nullify, a clear , definite, and
unmistakably plain statement of scripture
6. The text should be interpreted in the light of its
typical significance, when such is warranted by
other scripture passages
a. Definition of a type
1. A Divinely purposed illustration of some
scriptural truth
2. Words may express a truth and not a literal
fact ("I am the door")
3. May consist of several things
a. People

b. Events
c. Things
d. Institutions
e. Offerings
f. Ceremonies
b. The existence of these types is obvious to
all believers
c. The rule of interpretation-" whatever thing
incident, or person described in the Old Testament,
is used in the New Testament in a typical, or
spiritual sense."
d. The tremendous value of the types cannot be
overestimated
1. Christ is the key to all types
2. They cannot be understood apart from Him
3. People must know the reality, before they
can understand the type
e. There is danger in extreme spiritualizing
7. The text must be interpreted in the light of its
dispensational aspect
a. Definition of dispensation
1. Basis of God's dealing with mankind or a
portion of mankind in history
*2. Period of time in which man is tested in
respect of obedience to some specific revelation
of the will of God
b. Value of dispensational teaching
1. One of the keys to a sound grasp of the
Scriptures

2. Helps Christian know where he is in relation

for God's program for this age
c. Dangers of dispensational truth
1. "Ultradispensationalism"
2. Swings scriptures to extremes
3. Even can change the interpretation
8. Broadus' rules for interpreting a text
a. Grammatically
b. Logically
c. Historically
d. Figuratively
e. Allegorically
f. In accordance with general teaching on
scripture
The Theme
1. The definition
a. The part of the sermon which defines the main
truth to be expounded from the text
b. The most striking truth
c. Discourse condensed
d. States exactly what the preacher intends to
discuss
2. The choice of the theme
a. Depends on the preacher
b. Several preachers can preach the same text
in different ways
3. Advantages of stating the theme

a. Speaker must know what he is going to speak

about
b. Be prepared to state the theme to the audience
c. Should include all that he proposes to treat or
discuss in his sermon
d. Should be stated in the most interesting way
possible
4. Methods of stating a theme
a. By the logical method- the expression of a
complete thought
1. Needs a verb
2. Makes it clear for thinking and unity
3. Prevents speaker from jumping from one theme
to another and confusing the audience
b. By the rhetorical method
1. Stating the theme in the form of a phrase
2. A group of words that do not express a complete
thought
3. Examples
a. God's gift
b. Salvations assurance
4. Gives freedom and variety of treatment
C. Some more examples
1. Preacher should use both forms
2. The Great Divider
3. Christ is the great Divider of men

The Introduction
1. The definition- the part of the sermon that leads up to
the discussion and thus prepares the audience for the
main part of the sermon
2. The purposes of it
a. To awaken the hearer's interest in the subject
b. To enable the speaker to surmount the obstacles
that stand in the way of interest
1. Indifference or apathy of the average audience
a. Needs to get their attention
b. Education calls this the "hook"
2. Show the audience why the subject is important
3. To overcome incredulity
4. To let the audience know what is expected of
them
c. To prepare the audience for an understanding of
the theme under consideration
1. Unsaved people have little or no understanding
2. Get and keep the interest of the people
d. To secure the good will of the audience
1. Hearers may be prejudiced
2. Hearers may be antagonistic
3. First impressions are lasting
4. So the introduction must be good
e. Some examples from the great sermons of the
Bible
1. Acts 2:14-21
a. Disabused the false ideas of the mockers
b. Appealed from the scriptures

c. Explained the gift of tongues

2. Acts 3:12
3. The importance of it
a. The crucial five minutes
b. Time for gaining or losing the audience
4. Suggestions
a. Lead directly to the discussion
b. Should not promise more than the sermon can
supply
c. Should be simple and modest
1. Do not use "I"
2. Give Christ the preeminence
3. Do not use all your energy in the introduction
d. It should be varied
1. Beware of ritualism
2. Do not get in a root
e. It should not be too long
5. Sources for introductions
a. The text itself , as seen in the light of its context, or
its historical setting
1. Josephs 4 requests - Gen 40:14
2. The last words of the Bible-- Rev 22:20-21
b. From the book in which the text is found
1. The author
2. His circumstances
c. By comparing the text with other texts that relate to
the same theme, or which throw light upon it, either
by comparison or contrast
d. By an arresting question that arouses the attention

and provokes thought

e. By a reference to Biblical manners and customs,
or the geography of the country
f. An illustration, or story, that will serve to throw light
on the text itself, or some incident in one's own
experience in which this text has figured prominently.
g. The present occasion may supply the material
H. Secular history, both past and present, will furnish
much that can be used for this purpose
i. An apt quotation from the poets or a hymn will often
serve the purpose of awakening attention to the
message
The Discussion
1. Definition
a. That part of the sermon which presents the truth
contained in the text and the theme
b. Most important part of the sermon
2. Needs divisions in the discussion (body)
a. Must have a definite order
b. Even nature has order
1. Childhood, youth , adult
2. Spring, summer, fall, winter
3. Purposes of divisions
a. Framework on which the body is built
b. Keep the speaker on his theme
c. Help to retain the attention of the audience
d. Help the memory
4. Rules governing the forming of these divisions

a. Each division should be clear and distinct from the

other divisions
1. Each carries the thought further
2. No division should be a repeat
b. The sermon plan must possess three essential
qualifications
1. Order
2. Movement
3. Progress
c. They should be cumulative
1. Gather volume, strength, and value as they
proceed
2. Divisions do not produce disconnected little
sermons
3. Divisions combine to produce a harmonious
whole
d. They should seek to fully comprehend the tex and
theme, and attempt to expound all the truth
contained therein
e. These divisions should be natural
1. Should not be forced
2. Should not be artificial
3. Grammar of the text usually determines the
number of divisions
f. Should not be too many in number
1. No hard a fast rule
2. Preacher should be able to give a reason for
each division
g. Divisions should be orderly

1. Negative should go before the positive

2. Abstract should go before the concrete
3. Conviction should go before appeal
4. False must go before the true
h. Methods of stating the divisions
1. Logical form
a. Consists of a series of propositions or concise
statements which emerge as the text is examined
b. Constitute the main divisions of the sermon
c. Designated by Roman Numerals
d. Example- Romans 13:11-14
Theme- The awakening summons
Title- God's Call to Arms
I. It is high time to awake out of sleep
II. The night is far spent, the day is at hand
III. Let us therefore cast off the works of
darkness
IV. Let us put on the armor of light
V. Let us walk honestly... not in rioting etc
VI. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ
VII. Make not provision for the flesh
Logical form of the above
I. There is an arousing injunction , to awaken
from spiritual indolence and lethargy
II. There is a sobering anticipation of the
imminency of the day of Christ

III. There must be a definite renunciation of evil

doing
IV. There must be a personal appropriation of
the armor of God's providing
V. There must be a practical manifestation of
the Christian life before the world
VI. There must be a transforming occupation of
the putting on of Christ
VII. There must be the resolute self- mortification
of the flesh and its lusts
2. The Rhetorical form- a series of phrases
I. An arousing injunction
II. A solemn anticipation
III. A definite renunciation
IV. A personal appropriation
V. A practical manifestation
VI. A transforming occupation
VII. A resolute self-mortification
3. The interrogative form- a series of questions the
text answers
I. What is the awakening summons
II. What circumstances make it so urgent

III. What does it involve in the way of

renunciation
IV. What does it urge in the way of appropriation
V. What practical effect should it have on the
life
VI. How is this transformation to be effected
VII. What must be our attitude toward the flesh
5. Modes of discussion, or the different methods of
presenting the sermon
a. Explanatory
1. Informing and instructing
2. Clarifies the unclear
3. Explains things logical and chronologically
4. Mal 16-17
I. A choice company
II. A fragrant fellowship
III. An August Auditor
IV. A recorded remembrance
V, A precious Possession
VI. A striking simile
VII. A divine discrimination
b. Observational
1. Discusses the text by a series of observations
2. Brings out prominent thoughts in the text
I. However dark the days may be, God has a
remnant of His people who fear His name

II. The godly will take advantage of every

opportunity to meet for fellowship together
III. This gathering together of the godly
remnant is of great interest to the One
in Whose name they have met
IV. The Lord treasures up this appreciative
remembrance of His people
V. God promises a peculiar intimacy to those
who thus honor Him
VI. God likens such a godly remnant to rare
and precious jewels
VII. To such He reveals Himself in family
relationship
c. Elements of a satisfactory sermon
1. There will be propositions
2. There will be explanations
3. There will be observations
4. There will be illustrations
The Conclusion
1. Definition
a. Sometimes called the application

b. Actually the application should be made

continually throughout the sermon
c. It is the concluding remarks including the final
application
2. Suggestions about the conclusion
a. It should be short
b. It should be varied
c. Quoting a verse or a hymn is good
1. Can clinch the message
2. Can leave a searching question with them
d. A solemn incident is a good idea to use
e. Summation of the main points of the sermon often
works
f. It should be real
1. Preacher should speak as he really feels
2. Avoid forced artificial emotion
3. Emotions should be kept under control
g. It should be personal

1. Be specific
2. Apply the message clearly
h. It should be pointed
1. Review the main points
2. Apply those main points clearly
i. It should conclude
H. Elements that make up a good address
1. It should be well studied
2. It should be well prayed over
3. It should be well introduced
4. It should be well expressed
5. It should be well illustrated
6. It should be well applied
7. It should be well concluded
/ JNE 9/20/16