Preparing a Sermon

Hermeneutical and Homiletical preparation for preaching a sermon from a New Testament passage requires the preacher to bridge the gap between exegesis of a passage written in the 1st century and a sermon prepared and delivered in the 21st century.

1. Part One (1): Outline the process of research you would go through to discover the meaning of John 3:1-21 to the original people to whom it was written.

2. Part Two (2): After the research, now outline the process you would go through to develop a sermon on John 3:1-21 for a congregation in the 21st century.

Part One

The process of research that I would do for John 3:1-21 to discover the meaning would begin by reading the discourse prayerfully several times in my preaching version. I would then read several other translations included some paraphrases. If I could read Greek I would also included that, but since I cannot I would read the Kenneth Wuest translation of the verses in his Expanded Translation. Since I am preaching these verses for the congregation, I would have them available audibly on my ipod to hear them in my car and plant them in my mind. This helps with memorization also. At this point I am familiar with the text as we have it in our bible. Now I can move on to study and research so I can interpret the passage correctly. First I want to look at how this passage interacts with the sentences and passages that surround it. Does it tie in with chapter two? Does it continue on in the verses and chapter following it? I will look for connections, search for clues to such as repeated words or cause and effect relationships. I will simply observe the text and not read into it. What do I see here. Is there a break in the episode? Did the story change up any? Are there any lists there? Water and Spirit are a list, for example. My Hermeneutics class was a great help with these ideas. I would document these findings.

Next I would move on to the Historical /Cultural context. This is where I will find out what John 3:1-21 meant to the original readers and for that matter to the actual players in this passage. God spoke his message in specific, historical situations. I need to consult other resources at this point. I would first use my IVP Bible Background book by Keener. This will give me information about the author and the audience – their backgrounds, the culture they live in, and also the geographical, religious and political and economic elements connected with my passage. I need all this to discover the meaning that God intended. I want the God-intended meaning, not a reader- response meaning. I cannot put my own meaning in the text! What is God saying to them at that time? My primary task is to find that out first, and then I will have plenty of relevance to draw applications from. I will also consult the commentaries at this point for extra Historical/Critical issues that may be helpful. But I will always remember that too much critical study can cut the heart right out of the Bible, and most people do not care about these issues, but mostly want to learn how the Bible can be applied today.

Part Two

At this point I am ready to construct my sermon for the 21st. century. First, I will read look for an attention grabber. I need to create interest. The subject I am preaching on is The New Birth. So I need a good sermon title. I would create a memorable title. “ I was brought back to Life” or “The Revelation of the New Birth” or “ The Walking Dead Sermon”. Then I would have to create that interest. I would talk about the TV series, The Walking Dead. People would be familiar, so this would perk up the ears and build some rapport. Then I would read verses 1-3. I would talk about Nicodemus in his setting religiously, politically and culturally – so they could see the significance of him coming to Jesus. This is Necessity of the New Birth.[1] I now have my first point also. I will illustrate these points well, because people remember stories. I will use current stories also that others can relate too. Here I will hook a need. People need Life.

Next I will read Verses 4-7 to highlight the Experience of the New Birth. I would put a ‘Kingdom’ illustration here with definitions. Then I would read verses 8-15 to illustrate The Means of the New Birth. The Holy Spirit is the agent here and that He can do this because of the Cross. Here I will show a remedy for walking around as a dead man or woman (a little humor here ). At this point in the sermon, I want to use corresponding scripture references. I want to paint the picture of man’s condition to everyone. The state of mankind is a terrible one. There are many New and Old Testament verses that show this. I like Ephesians 2, verse 1. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath… Vs. 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. This is the terrible state people are in; Dead in sin, by nature deserving of wrath, separate from Christ, no covenant, without hope, and without God !

Coming to John 3:16-18, I realize that this is the main idea I want to get across when I call them to action at end of sermon. Verses 19-21 will prompt this Action. They listeners need to come into the Light! I would read John 3:16-18 slowly and clearly, with emphasis. The Gift of the New Birth is my guiding point here. I may not state my points, but they will help me stay on task. I would illustrate here with a touching illustration, which means I need to find and collect good illustrations. I am painting pictures through out this process. This job of preaching is not an easy one. I want to drive home the reality of the new birth, and show the benefits. Jesus said “Ye Must Be Born Again”. This is not a man’s idea. This is a necessity. I will preach with passion and be aglow with the Spirit as I deliver these truths. I am blowing the trumpet at this point. I read verses 19-21, calling people to a decision for Christ. This is the way for them to apply the truth, and receive God’s best. The background information helped them to understand the text. The illustrations were windows into the text. The Holy Spirit confirming the message with signs following is at work here. I, as a messenger, have done my part to speak the truth in love, with a clean heart and pure hands.

[1]This sermon outline was gleaned from The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible, 1991 Alpha-Omega Ministries, Inc. Chattanooga, TN.