Homiletics Study Pt 4

Textual idea

Sermon idea

Interrogative

Transition

The Textual Idea: the core idea of the text worded as subject/complement and stated as a complete, past-tense sentence.

It contains reference to certain historical elements associated with the text—writer and readers, persons in the narrative account, circumstances or occasion of writing, special literary features.

The Sermon Idea: the same subject/complement as core of the textual idea, worded as present-tense, universal statement, without the historical elements of the textual idea.

The Interrogative: the sermon idea translated into a question by the use of one of the following: who, what, when, where, why, how.

It calls for the predicates (major ideas) revealed in the text writer’s treatment of his theme.

The Transitional Sentence: answers the interrogative by the introduction of a key word which categorizes the various predicates found in the text and introduces them as sermon divisions.

Writing Main Points For Your Sermon

1). Name the subject of the text

2). Add the complement for the idea

3). Word the four bridging sentences

4). Search the text for statements which answer your interrogative

The statements in the text that answer you interrogative will become your main points of your sermon.

Block diagram- the key statements that will form the main points of your sermon most likely be the independent phrases in your text- the phrases all the way to the left.

The dependent phrases the phrases indented to the right will become the main points of teaching or explanation for your main points.

Example

How to write main points for your sermon:

Use complete statements rather than phrases or single words

Use a key word to assure consistency in division statements

Romans 6:6-14- Sin No Longer Dominates Us

Textual idea: Paul wanted the Roman Christians to stop living under the domination of sin.

Sermon Idea: We must stop living in sin because sin no longer dominates our lives.

Interrogative: How do we stop living under the domination of sin?

Transitional Sentence: I want us to look at three steps that will enable us to stop living under sin’s domination.

Step #1: We must KNOW the full implications of our death with Christ (vv. 6-10)

Step #2: We must CONSIDER the full implications of our death with Christ (v. 11)

Step # 3: We must APPLY the full implications of our death with Christ (vv. 12-14)

Use statements which will stand alone as universal principles

Make sure your main points are statements of ideas distinct from each other

Follow a logical progression of thought in the arrangement of the division statements

Use parallelism in phrasing, rhythm, and terminology for poetic symmetry

Step #1: We must KNOW the full implications of our death with Christ (vv. 6-10)

Step #2: We must CONSIDER the full implications of our death with Christ (v. 11)

Step # 3: We must APPLY the full implications of our death with Christ (vv. 12-14)

Use present tense, contemporary language suitable for the audience you will address

Don’t give people historical observations about the Apostle Peter, state those observations as universal principles of faith.

Also, make sure you translate figurative language in the text into contemporary terms.

Matthew 5:13 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

1. Christians should be like salt

What does that mean? Sounds good, but it leaves people confused.

1. Christians are to influence others for Christ

State your main points as sound theological principles which enhance faith in the hearer

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

You can overcome temptation

Temptation is limited

Temptation is predictable

Temptation is escapable

This outline does not deal with the theology of the text. We learn nothing about God and His grace.

What do we learn about God from this text? He is faithful!

God is faithful to make temptation predictable

God is faithful to keep temptation limited

God is faithful to provide a way out of temptation

Your sermon must go beyond positive thinking to theological assurance.