Preaching Articles about
Sermon
Website Links For
Sermon
 

Information About

Preaching






A sermon is an Oration by a Prophet or member of the Clergy . Sermons address a Biblical , Theological , or Religious topic, usually expounding on a type of Belief or Law .


DELIVERY


Sermons are usually, but not always, delivered in a house of worship, most of which have a Pulpit or ambo, an elevated architectural feature. A sermon is also known as a Homily . The word "sermon" comes from a Middle English word which was derived from an Old French term, which in turn came from the Latin word ''sermō''; ("discourse"). (Actually, it meant "conversation", and early sermons were delivered in the form of question and answer, only later did it come to mean a monologue).

In modern language, the word "sermon" can also be used Pejorative ly in secular terms to describe a lengthy or tedious speech delivered with great passion, by any person, to an uninterested audience. A sermonette is a short sermon (usually associated with television broadcasting, as stations would present a sermonette before Signing Off for the night).


Notable preachers

'' by Carl Heinrich Bloch .]]
The most famous sermon is probably the , near Capernaum . Some modern Biblical scholars believe that Jesus did not actually give the speech as is traditionally thought, and that the sermon was instead compiled later from precepts said by Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount lays out many of the core principles of Christianity . Another rendition of much of the same material may be found in the " Sermon On The Plain " in the Gospel Of Luke (6:17 - 49, including introductory material).

During the later , John Chrysostom , Gregory Nazianzus . Sermons in this era were used to spread Christianity across Europe and Asia Minor . During the Middle Ages , sermons inspired the beginnings of new Religious Orders (eg, Saint Dominic and Francis Of Assisi ). Pope Urban II began the First Crusade in November 1095 at the Council Of Clermont , France , when he exhorted French knights to retake the Holy Land in Palestine .

Many sermons have been written down, collected and published. Such sermons include John Wesley's ''53 Standard Sermons'', John Chrysostom's Homily on the Resurrection (preached every Easter in Orthodox churches) and Gregory Nazianzus' homily "On the Theophany, or Birthday of Christ" (preached every Christmas in Orthodox churches).


Role in Protestantism

The Reformation led to Protestant sermons, many of which defended the Schism with the Roman Catholic Church and explained beliefs about scripture, theology and devotion. Since the distinctive doctrines of Protestantism held that Salvation was by Faith Alone , and convincing people to believe the Gospel and place trust in God for their salvation through Jesus Christ was the decisive step in salvation, in Protestantism the sermon and Hymn came to replace the Eucharist as the central act of Christian worship. To rouse deeper Faith in the churchgoers, rather than have them partake in a ritual, was the goal of Protestant worship conditioned by these beliefs.

In the 1700s and 1800s during the Great Awakening , major sermons were made at Revival s, which were especially popular in the United States . These sermons were noted for their " Fire-and-brimstone " message, typified by Jonathan Edwards 's famous " Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God " speech.


TYPES


There are a number of different types of preaching, that differ both by their subject matter and by their intended audience. Not all types of preaching are within the gift of every preacher. These types of preaching include:


It is worth noting that sermons can be both written written sermons and outspoken. outspoken sermons


DELIVERY METHODS


Sermons also differ on the amount of time and effort used to prepare them.

  • Script ed preaching - preaching with a previous preparation, it can be with help of notes or a script, or rely on the memory of the preacher.

  • Extemporaneous Preaching - preaching without overly detailed notes and sometimes without preparation. Usually a basic outline and scriptural references are listed as notes.

  • Impromptu Preaching - preaching without previous preparation.



SEE ALSO



REFERENCES



BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • ''American Sermons: The Pilgrims to Martin Luther King Jr.'', Michael Warner, ed. (New York: The Library of America, 1999) ISBN 1-883011-65-5