The "Standard Dictionary" defines Homiletics as "that branch of rhetoric that treats of the composition and delivery of sermons or homilies"
and
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the capability of writers or speakers that attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations.
Homiletics is both and art and a science - it deals with both facts and feelings. The mere communication of facts is sufficient for the Holy Spirit of make use of but if the communicator is not committed and convicted by what he or she offers the message is severely hindered in its affect.
I was blessed to have won a full scholarship in homiletics when in Bible Collegs. I was even more blessed to have studied under the guidance and mentor-ship of Olin Hay one of the greatest preachers I have ever known personally. He demanded excellence from his students and had little tolerance for any sermon of lesson that was not passionately and persuasively presented.
He taught us to preach - to pour our the Word of God out through both our minds and hearts. He used to tell us that our hearers would only believe our message to the degree that we did. If we were not convicted and convinced by what we preached there was little hope they would be - except by a powerful intervention of the Holy Spirit. He taught us to communicate conviction and calling.
His methodology was quite simple. "Tell them what you will tell them, tell them what you have to tell them and tell them what you told them." It was a matter of communicating first what you would have them to know, believe or do. Second it was a matter of communicating the matter and thirdly is was a matter of "THEREFORE, we should know - believe and or do. Without the THEREFORE is was just a talk - not a sermon.
I listen to many preachers thanks to the internet and though I certainly critique the content I also critique the communication. I can tell from the first few word out of the speakers mouth whether they intend to merely inform, obnoxiously flaunt their knowledge or serve the Lord through the power of the Spirit working in and through them.
Eighty percent of the "sermons" I hear seem to be of the first to catagories. The third is distressingly missing.
If you preach - preach. If you want to teach - get a job in a seminary or bible college.
The object of preaching is to provide the Spirit with the access to our knowledge, talents and skill in order to change lives. We are to convict, call, admonish and correct. That demands two things. First the content and second the communication.
The three to five point sermon is perhaps the best tool one can use to assist the Spirit in His work. It is a simple, clear and memorable methodology. So here are some thoughts for you to consider if you preach and top use in evaluating if you are preached to.
You must start with a biblical truth. You must communicate our need to receive it and you MUST communicate how we are to put it into application. A sermon without a "Therefore we must" is a poor and pathetic thing.
Take 2 Tim. 3:6-8
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, (2Ti 1:6-8)
Note in verses 6 and 8 "For this reason" and "Therefore do not." There is the purpose in preaching verese 7.
Verse seven lends itself to the following
Intro.: A spirit of fear is NOT from God (actually it is a spirit of timidity - per verse 8, a timidity in preaching the gospel)
Body. God has given us a spirit of:
Point 1. Power
Point 2. Love
Point 3. Self-control
Conclusion/call: There for do not be ashamed . . . .
Paul writes later:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
(2Ti 4:1-3)
Another thing Olin Hay taught me was, "Gentlemen I do not care where you start, I do not care where you go but you must always - always end at the Cross - whether preaching to believers, unbelievers or both the Cross of Christ must be the ultimate destination of every sermon you preach, For only there will the unbeliever find redemption and only there will the believer find relief, refreshment, restoration and rearming."
Preaching is an art - a lost art. The great preachers, mu favorites are the Puritans whose preaching was simple, clear, practical and pointed. They aimed at the practical application of the truths of the Bible and I have not found them lacking in their aim or accuracy.
Certainly the Spirit can use poor, even bad preaching to accomplish His ends. but we are poor workmen if we do not practice our "art" honing and improving our skills. When I prepare to preach I have as my goal that something in the sermon will deeply touch the evil principle in every believer, will tough their trials, will touch their hopes. It is my desire as a spokesman for God that they will come to know and understand, cry out and proclaim:
Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. (Psa 119:49-50)
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