CHAPTER FOUR

HOW SERMONS WORK:VARIATION

Variation
Introduction
If all your sermons were gathered together into one pie, and then organized into category slices,
how many slices would there be, and how big or small would each slice be?
In this chapter I will highlight and describe various sermon-category slices to help you discover if
you are preaching the whole “cake” of Scripture. A consciousness of the various kinds of sermon
that may be preached challenges the preacher to vary his style and content, preventing
monotonous sameness. It may also highlight gaps that may be filled by concentrated study in that
particular area.
Although the question of slice size will be touched upon, the variables of preacher, hearer, time,
place, and needs are too great to give any concrete rules. Answers to this question should be
constantly and prayerfully sought from the great Shepherd of the sheep.
One point I might make before considering slice-size is the need for a balanced selection of texts
from Old Testament and New Testament; and in the New Testament from both the Gospels
and the Epistles. If we divide Scripture into three main divisions – the Old Testament, the
Gospels, and the Epistles – a general rule of thumb might be that our texts should be drawn in
roughly equal proportion from these three sources.
One last word of qualification before I present a classification of the different types of sermon.
Please remember that the distinctions are not always clear-cut and will often overlap. However,
the distinctions are still useful if we remember that we are talking about general emphasis more
than distinct and separate classes.

The Slices
1. The Doctrinal Sermon
A doctrinal sermon presents the facts and truths of the Gospel message. It involves systematic
and methodical instruction in the great doctrines of Christianity. Truth is the staple diet of the
Christian and is the lifeblood of faith and holiness. This practical end should be kept in view.
Doctrinal instruction is always with a view to believing and doing. As the Reformers said,
“Doctrines must be preached practically, and duties doctrinally.”

Sermons should have real

teaching in them, and their doctrine
should be solid, substantial, and
abundant…Nothing can compensate for
the absence of teaching; all the rhetoric in
the world is but as chaff to the wheat in
contrast to the gospel of our salvation.
- Charles H. Spurgeon

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To choose some one aspect of a great subject

One tendency to avoid is to is usually far better, as there is thus much better
try and preach a whole opportunity for the speaker to work out something
doctrine (e.g. justification) in fresh, and much better prospect of making the hearers
one sermon. This results in take a lively interest in the subject as a whole…Take it as
general, vague, and a general rule, the more narrow the subject, the more
uninteresting sermons. thoughts you will have.
- John Broadus

Example 1: Instead of preaching on the atonement The preacher who can endeavor to make
in general you may divide the subject into various doctrinal truth interesting as well as intelligible to his
sermons entitled: (1) The need for atonement, (2) the congregation, and gradually bring them to a good
nature of the atonement, (3) the extent of the acquaintance with the doctrines of the Bible, is
atonement, (4) the beneficiaries of the atonement, (5) rendering them an inestimable service.”
the effects of the atonement. - John Broadus

2. Theistic Sermons
This may seem a strange idea, as surely all sermons are theistic? There are two points to be
underlined here. First, ensure that your sermons are focussed on God – His nature, His
demands, His provisions – rather than being focussed on the needs and desires of men and
women. Second, there must be a balance in our theism. We must ensure that we not only preach
the whole God, as well as the whole counsel
of God. We must not neglect the Father,
the Son, or the Spirit. Instead let our Example: In some circles the Holy Spirit may be over-
preaching on each of the persons of the emphasized, but in others He may be under-represented.
Godhead reflect the Scriptural balance.

3. Apologetic Sermons
Apologetic preaching involves the defense of Scriptural doctrine and exposure of false views,
with the ultimate aim of protecting the flock. This usually involves defense of the doctrines of
Scripture, and may also involve exposing and attacking opposite views.
In preaching such sermons, we must be aware of certain dangers. First, we must avoid the
implication that the truthfulness of Christianity is open to question. Second, care must be taken
not to suggest difficulties previously
unknown and then failing to adequately
address and remove them. Third, Example: The use of evidences to support six-day
remember that the argument for creation and the exposure and refutation of evolution.
Christianity is cumulative and cannot be
presented in its entirety in one sermon.

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4. Controversial Sermons
While apologetic sermons are concerned with the defense of Christianity from attacks coming
from outside the church, we use the term “controversial” or “polemical” for sermons which are
concerned with errors and heresies from within
the church.
It would seem to be a just principle
Preachers must be willing to contend for the that a preacher should never go out of his
faith (Jude 3) and hold fast to the form of way to find a controversial matter, nor go out
sound words (2 Tim. 1:13). There are two of his way to avoid it. He who continually
shrinks from conflict should stir himself up to
extremes to be avoided here. First, the false
faithfulness; he who is by nature belligerent,
charity which never contends with any other should cultivate forbearance and courtesy.
Christians even when duty calls. And, second, - John Broadus
there is the love of conflict and the associated
failure to distinguish between fundamental
and secondary issue. James W. Alexander Example: Sermons which expose the modern errors
warned against “preaching with a contentious surrounding the doctrine of justification.
spirit, or so as to produce such a spirit.”

5. Practical Sermons
Practical or ethical sermons discuss and The exclusive of doctrine to
propose the duties of the Christian toward professed Christians tends to cultivate an
God and man. It should be remembered that Antinomian spirit. The exclusive inculcation
the aim and end of all sermons is practical. of duties fosters self-righteousness. The
However, here we are considering sermons edification of the Church, then, demands the
which have an especially practical emphasis. diligent intermixture of both kinds.
- Robert L. Dabney
Practical sermons should be both negative and
positive, condemning the wrong and exhorting to
the right. They should be specific and not
general, abstract or vague. Liberty of conscience Example: Sermons on many of the Proverbs.
should be recognized, and motivation should be
love-centered not law-centered.

6. Political Sermons
Political sermons present the Christian view on
the great questions affecting the State and public
Example: Sermons on the evils of abortion, or
morals. Without following a particular party-
on the biblical conditions for a just war.
line, the preacher will bring biblical principles to
bear on questions of public policy.

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7. Historical Sermons
Nothing so interests us all as a
Historical sermons present lessons drawn from the person. No inanimate object, or general
many personalities or events which fill the pages of proposition, will make much impression
the Bible. We cannot but notice how God has chosen upon mankind at large, unless it is
to present most of the doctrines of the Bible in personified or impersonated, or invested
narrative form rather than in simple statements of with some personal interest….A celebrated
lecturer on history once stated in
truth.
conversation that he found it difficult to
Two cautions to bear in mind when preaching interest a popular audience, if he presented
historical sermons are, first, the importance of having merely historical events, periods or lessons.
These must be associated with some person.
a sufficient background knowledge of the history,
- John Broadus
geography and culture of the Bible if we are to
present the scenes, events, and people in a vivid and
graphic way. Second, remember that all biblical
histories, events, and personalities point towards Example: The covenant with Abraham pointing
that one person, and one event of Christ’s person towards the ultimate seed and sacrifice of Christ.
and work.

8. Experimental Sermons
Experimental (or experiential) sermons describe the varied experiences of men and women
receiving the Gospel and living for Christ in the midst of the trials and triumphs of life.
Experimental preaching need not confine
itself to the Bible for examples. There are
past historical examples, the preacher’s Example: A sermon which describes conviction of
own experience, and the experiences of sin, how it is wrought, the causes of it, the effects of it.
other Christians he knows.

9. Topical Sermons
Topical sermons need not be tied to one verse but
may include consideration of a number of verses on Example: A tsunami, or a notable accident
providing the basis of sermon on the need for
a biblical topic. Or else, some momentous event repentance and preparation for eternity.
may provide the basis for a topical sermon.

10. Evangelistic Sermons

While all sermons should contain an appeal to the unconverted, evangelistic sermons are aimed
largely or wholly at the unconverted. This will
involve the application of the law’s threatenings
against their sin, the presentation of God’s Example: A sermon on the Philippian jailer’s
provision of a Saviour, the need for repentance and question, “What must I do to be saved?”
faith, and the urgency of the moment.

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11. Discriminatory Sermons

Discriminatory preaching attempts to
distinguish the characteristic marks of the saint Example: A sermon on any one of the beatitudes
and the sinner. It is an anticipation of the final which set forth the marks of a citizen of the kingdom
of heaven.
separation of the sheep from the goats based on
the evidences of grace or lack it in the lives of the
hearers.

It is much to be regretted that this accurate

discrimination in preaching has gone so much out
of use in our times. It is but seldom that we hear a
discourse from the pulpit which is calculated to
afford much aid to Christians in ascertaining their
own true character; or which will serve to detect
the hypocrite and formalist, and drive them from all
their false refuges.
- James W. Alexander

Conclusion

Use this is a checklist to regularly review the diet you are serving up to your
hearers. And ask for God’s guidance to ensure that you are preaching the whole
counsel of God in the proportions required for your situation and people.

References
Charles H. Spurgeon, Lectures to my Students (London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1965), 70.
John Broadus, The Preparation and Delivery of Sermons (New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co, 1929), 79, 77, 84, 94.
Robert L. Dabney, Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1979), 58.
James W. Alexander, Thoughts on Preaching, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1988), 173

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