A well-crafted sermon can be encouraging and spiritually nourishing. However, many preachers face difficulties in sermon preparation, particularly in delivering messages that are profound, relevant, and engaging to the congregation.
Recently, Pastor Shen, who has been engaged in ministry in northern China for more than two decades, shared his insights on effective preaching. He emphasized that an effective sermon should have a clear central thread, incorporate interaction, relevant content, and personal experience, and be rooted in sound theology. Most importantly, he stressed the importance of continual practice to enhance the sermon's resonance with the audience and better connect it to their daily lives.
Drawing from his own experience, Pastor Shen explained, "When preaching on a topic like 'Fear the Lord,' one should not immediately delve into doctrinal teaching. Instead, the sermon should begin with a question that sparks curiosity. For example, I might ask, 'My fellow believers, what is truly good about fearing the Lord?' This kind of question captures attention."
He continued, "The sermon should then return to Scripture. I would invite the congregation to read a passage together, such as Proverbs 14: 26–27, saying 'Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.' I would then explain, 'Look, God offers two promises to those who fear Him—a secure fortress and a refuge for their children'."
He added, "Who wouldn't want such a blessing? But to receive it, one must first understand what it means to fear the Lord. I often clarify that 'fear' here is not about being afraid, but about having a proper attitude toward God."
Pastor Shen went on to illustrate this with a biblical story: "[In the account of Saul and David,] Saul knew that David was chosen by God, but still pursued him. David, on the other hand, had an opportunity to strike back but said, 'I should not lay my hand on him, for he is the Lord's anointed.' This contrast clearly demonstrates what fear looks like."
He also mentioned the need to apply biblical truth to everyday life. "I ask the congregation, 'Don't we often behave similarly? A glance, a word, or a simple action can reveal whether we fear God. When someone casually criticizes or looks down on others, it may stem from a failure to recognize them as God's creation. Even small actions, like littering, running red lights, or entering others' restricted areas, reflect how seriously we take God's teachings.' "
Pastor Shen explained, "There must be a divine exhortation at the end. I urge, 'Brothers and sisters, if you lack reverence for God, His promises will not apply to you. But if you do fear Him, it will be evident in how you live and speak, for those who fear the Lord lack nothing good.'"
Regarding the issue of mental inertia during sermons, Pastor Shen stated that preachers should deliberately pose questions throughout their message to stimulate the congregation's reflection.
He offered a different example: "If the sermon focuses on the miracle of 'Water Being Turned into Wine,' you might ask, 'Why was Jesus' first sign not raising the dead, but turning water into wine?' That's a compelling question. Or one could ask, 'When Jesus' mother said, 'They have no more wine,' Jesus replied, 'My hour has not yet come.' What did he mean by "my hour"? Just moments later, the miracle took place. What changed?'" Pastor Shen encouraged preachers to guide their audience into a deeper understanding of Scripture by using a sequence of thought-provoking questions.
Pastor Shen also emphasized the importance of structuring a sermon effectively. He noted, "A preacher should center the message around one core theme, explaining it from multiple perspectives through scriptural interpretation, real-life examples, and interactive questions, to convey the message deeply and meaningfully."
Regarding thematic sermons, Shen stressed that preachers must possess a solid theological foundation. For instance, when preaching on the topic of "resurrection," one should begin by exploring the meaning of resurrection; similarly, when addressing "justification by faith," the preacher should be well-versed in the Books of Romans and Galatians.
He also pointed out that sermons should not be overly long, recommending a time limit of around 40 minutes. According to Shen, if a sermon extends too long, it risks losing its impact.
He encouraged young preachers to deliver each sermon at least five times. "They should preach repeatedly in different settings, refining and polishing the message through practice until it becomes truly excellent."
He said that he has delivered around 30 significant sermons and approximately 300 that he considers worthy of presentation. "These were built up gradually, through consistent effort and continuous practice."
Pastor Shen further put forward that preaching must be grounded in real-life experience. "If we claim that 'God is a God of provision' without having personally experienced it—speaking only from a theoretical standpoint—our words will lack the depth and resonance of someone who has truly lived through His providence," he explained.
He recounted a true story about a missionary living in extreme poverty. With no food in the house, the missionary gathered his family around the table and, led them in a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for His provision. Immediately after the prayer, there was a knock at the door—someone had arrived with a donation of food.
"Young people today often lack life experience needed for preaching," Shen remarked. "There's no shortcut, but it takes time to accumulate. But even so, the knowledge and biblical truths must still be clearly communicated. Sometimes, Christians may not feel emotionally stirred during a sermon, they only know what is said."
He added, "When people later face critical moments in their lives and encounter difficulties, God will remind them of the words preached that day. That sermon is no longer just a message—it becomes God Himself speaking into their lives."
"The purpose of preaching is not merely to convey knowledge," Shen concluded, "but to help people understand the truth and apply it in their daily lives."
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Poppy Chan
