2023
HOMILETICS PART TWO
HOMILETICS
BIM-KENYA
1/24/2023
0
,CHAPTER ONE: How To Prepare Bible Messages
Introduction:
If the Christian Church is to maintain an aggressive witness in this generation, and if believers in Christ
are to grow and to develop into mature and effectively functioning Christians, then it is of the utmost
importance that pastors, teachers and other leaders in the church provide the sincere milk of
the Word through Bible-centered and Bible-derived messages or sermons for their people.
The Speaker or Preacher
It needs to be stated, and to be stated emphatically, that the most important factor in the preparation
of sermons is the preparation of the preacher’s own heart.
1. No amount of knowledge, or of learning or of natural endowments can take the place of a fervent,
humble, devoted heart which longs for more and more of Christ.
2. Only the man who walks with God and who lives a holy life can inspire others to grow in the grace
and knowledge of Christ. Such a man will spend much time in secret with Jesus, holding daily,
uninterrupted, unhurried communion with Him in His Word.
The preacher must also be a man of prayer who has learned the art of holy warfare upon his
knees.
1. Like Daniel, he must have the habit of prayer and find the time, yes, make the time, to pray daily
and regularly in his closet.
2. His sermons then will not be the product of mere intellectual effort but will be heaven-sent
messages -- sent to him in answer to prayer.
E. M. Bounds, the mighty man of prayer, said in truth, “Prayer puts the preacher’s sermon into the
preacher’s heart; prayer puts the preacher’s heart into the preacher’s sermon.”
But the man who is to preach the message of the Book must also be a man of the Book.
1. He must study the Scriptures not just to get a message for his congregation. He must live in the
Book.
2. The Word of God must become his meat and drink. Throughout his life he must spend hours every
week in diligent study of the Bible.
3. He must saturate himself with it until it grips his heart and soul so that with Jeremiah he may say,
“His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with
forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jer. 20:9).
Principle Types of Biblical Sermons!
There are many kinds of sermons and various ways of classifying them. The least complicated method
is to classify them as topical, textual, and expository.
The Topical Sermon:
Definition of a Topical Sermon:
1
, A topical sermon is one in which the main divisions are derived from the topic, independently of a
text.
This means that the--
1) topical sermon begins with a topic or theme and that the main parts of the sermon consist of ideas
which come from that topic.
2) it does not require a text as the basis of its message. That is, a certain text is not the source of the
topical sermon, although it is all based on the Word of God.
3) we start with a Biblical topic. The main divisions of the sermon outline must be drawn from this
Biblical topic, and each main division must be supported by a Scripture reference.
Example of a Topical Sermon
Satan’s Attack of the Family!
Aim: Recognizing some aspects of his attack! (Eph. 6:10-18)
A. His Goal is to Devour! (I Peter 5:8,9)
B. His Desire is to Sift as Wheat! (Luke 22:31,32)
C. His Method is to Build a Stronghold! (II Cor. 10:3-5)
D. His Purpose is to Bring Total Bondage to Sin! (II Tim. 2:24-26)
Unity of Thought in a Topical Sermon
It will be observed from the example given above that the topical sermon contains one central idea.
There is but one theme, not many. In a topical sermon we must limit the entire outline to the one idea
contained in the topic and the aim of the message itself.
The Various Kinds of Topics
The Scriptures deal with every conceivable phase of human life and activity. They also reveal God’s
purposes in grace toward men in time and in eternity. Thus the Bible contains an inexhaustible storehouse
of topics from which the preacher may obtain materials for topical messages suited for every occasion and
condition in which men find themselves.
Through constant and diligent study of the Word of God, the man of God will enrich his own soul with
precious nuggets of divine truth.
There are many themes, such as: influences for good, little things God uses, blunders of God’s
children, blessings that come through suffering, results of unbelief, facts about prayer, meaning of prayer,
methods of prayer, power of prayer, results of prayer, lies of satan, conquests of the cross, characteristics
of a Christian, glories of heaven, riches of the Christian, power of God’s love, etc.
Choice of Topics
If we are to know the topic to select, we must seek the leading of the Lord. The choice may be
determined by the theme on which the minister is asked to speak or by the specific occasion on which the
message is to be delivered. Certain conditions within the particular congregation may indicate the need
for selecting a topic suited to the circumstances.
Basic PRINCIPLES for the PREPARATION of Topical Outlines!
1. The main divisions should be in logical or chronological order. (Illus.)
2
, The Believer’s Hope
Topic: Characteristics of the Believer’s Hope!
I. It is a living hope, I Pet 1:3
II. It is a saving hope, I Thess 5:8
III. It is a sure hope, Heb. 6:19
IV. It is a good hope, II Thess. 2:16
V. It is an unseen hope, Rom. 8:24
VI. It is a blessed hope, Tit 2:13
VII. It is an eternal hope, Tit. 3:7
2. The main division may be an analysis of the topic. Each part of the outline contributes to the
completeness of the discussion of the topic.
3. The main divisions may present the various proofs of a topic.
Knowing God’s Word
Topic: Some values of knowing the Word of God!
I. Knowing God’s Word makes one wise unto salvation, II Tim. 3:15
II. Knowing God’s Word keeps us from sin, Psa. 119:11
III. Knowing God’s Word produces spiritual growth, I Pet. 2:2
IV. Knowing God’s Word results in successful living, Josh. 2:7-8, Psa. 1
4. The main divisions may treat a subject by comparison or contrast with something else
in Scripture.
An Effective Testimony!
Topic: A comparison between the testimony of the believer and salt.
I. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should season, Col. 4:6
II. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should purify, I Thess. 4:4
III. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should not lose its savor, Matt. 5:13
IV. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should create thirst, I Pet. 2:12
5. The main divisions may be expressed by a certain word or phrase of Scripture which is repeated though
out the outline.
The Ability of God!
Topic: Some Things Which God Is Able to DO!
I. He is able to save, Heb 7:25
II. He is able to keep, Jude 24
III. He is able to help, Heb. 2:18
IV. He is able to subdue, Phil. 3:21
V. He is able to give grace, II Cor. 9:8
VI. He is able to do beyond what we ask or think, Eph. 3:20
6. The main divisions may be supported by an identical word or phrase of Scripture though out the
outline.
7. The main division may consist of a word study showing the various meanings of a certain word or
words in Scripture. (Such as a study of the names of Christ, or the names of God, etc.)
3
HOMILETICS PART TWO
HOMILETICS
BIM-KENYA
1/24/2023
0
,CHAPTER ONE: How To Prepare Bible Messages
Introduction:
If the Christian Church is to maintain an aggressive witness in this generation, and if believers in Christ
are to grow and to develop into mature and effectively functioning Christians, then it is of the utmost
importance that pastors, teachers and other leaders in the church provide the sincere milk of
the Word through Bible-centered and Bible-derived messages or sermons for their people.
The Speaker or Preacher
It needs to be stated, and to be stated emphatically, that the most important factor in the preparation
of sermons is the preparation of the preacher’s own heart.
1. No amount of knowledge, or of learning or of natural endowments can take the place of a fervent,
humble, devoted heart which longs for more and more of Christ.
2. Only the man who walks with God and who lives a holy life can inspire others to grow in the grace
and knowledge of Christ. Such a man will spend much time in secret with Jesus, holding daily,
uninterrupted, unhurried communion with Him in His Word.
The preacher must also be a man of prayer who has learned the art of holy warfare upon his
knees.
1. Like Daniel, he must have the habit of prayer and find the time, yes, make the time, to pray daily
and regularly in his closet.
2. His sermons then will not be the product of mere intellectual effort but will be heaven-sent
messages -- sent to him in answer to prayer.
E. M. Bounds, the mighty man of prayer, said in truth, “Prayer puts the preacher’s sermon into the
preacher’s heart; prayer puts the preacher’s heart into the preacher’s sermon.”
But the man who is to preach the message of the Book must also be a man of the Book.
1. He must study the Scriptures not just to get a message for his congregation. He must live in the
Book.
2. The Word of God must become his meat and drink. Throughout his life he must spend hours every
week in diligent study of the Bible.
3. He must saturate himself with it until it grips his heart and soul so that with Jeremiah he may say,
“His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with
forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jer. 20:9).
Principle Types of Biblical Sermons!
There are many kinds of sermons and various ways of classifying them. The least complicated method
is to classify them as topical, textual, and expository.
The Topical Sermon:
Definition of a Topical Sermon:
1
, A topical sermon is one in which the main divisions are derived from the topic, independently of a
text.
This means that the--
1) topical sermon begins with a topic or theme and that the main parts of the sermon consist of ideas
which come from that topic.
2) it does not require a text as the basis of its message. That is, a certain text is not the source of the
topical sermon, although it is all based on the Word of God.
3) we start with a Biblical topic. The main divisions of the sermon outline must be drawn from this
Biblical topic, and each main division must be supported by a Scripture reference.
Example of a Topical Sermon
Satan’s Attack of the Family!
Aim: Recognizing some aspects of his attack! (Eph. 6:10-18)
A. His Goal is to Devour! (I Peter 5:8,9)
B. His Desire is to Sift as Wheat! (Luke 22:31,32)
C. His Method is to Build a Stronghold! (II Cor. 10:3-5)
D. His Purpose is to Bring Total Bondage to Sin! (II Tim. 2:24-26)
Unity of Thought in a Topical Sermon
It will be observed from the example given above that the topical sermon contains one central idea.
There is but one theme, not many. In a topical sermon we must limit the entire outline to the one idea
contained in the topic and the aim of the message itself.
The Various Kinds of Topics
The Scriptures deal with every conceivable phase of human life and activity. They also reveal God’s
purposes in grace toward men in time and in eternity. Thus the Bible contains an inexhaustible storehouse
of topics from which the preacher may obtain materials for topical messages suited for every occasion and
condition in which men find themselves.
Through constant and diligent study of the Word of God, the man of God will enrich his own soul with
precious nuggets of divine truth.
There are many themes, such as: influences for good, little things God uses, blunders of God’s
children, blessings that come through suffering, results of unbelief, facts about prayer, meaning of prayer,
methods of prayer, power of prayer, results of prayer, lies of satan, conquests of the cross, characteristics
of a Christian, glories of heaven, riches of the Christian, power of God’s love, etc.
Choice of Topics
If we are to know the topic to select, we must seek the leading of the Lord. The choice may be
determined by the theme on which the minister is asked to speak or by the specific occasion on which the
message is to be delivered. Certain conditions within the particular congregation may indicate the need
for selecting a topic suited to the circumstances.
Basic PRINCIPLES for the PREPARATION of Topical Outlines!
1. The main divisions should be in logical or chronological order. (Illus.)
2
, The Believer’s Hope
Topic: Characteristics of the Believer’s Hope!
I. It is a living hope, I Pet 1:3
II. It is a saving hope, I Thess 5:8
III. It is a sure hope, Heb. 6:19
IV. It is a good hope, II Thess. 2:16
V. It is an unseen hope, Rom. 8:24
VI. It is a blessed hope, Tit 2:13
VII. It is an eternal hope, Tit. 3:7
2. The main division may be an analysis of the topic. Each part of the outline contributes to the
completeness of the discussion of the topic.
3. The main divisions may present the various proofs of a topic.
Knowing God’s Word
Topic: Some values of knowing the Word of God!
I. Knowing God’s Word makes one wise unto salvation, II Tim. 3:15
II. Knowing God’s Word keeps us from sin, Psa. 119:11
III. Knowing God’s Word produces spiritual growth, I Pet. 2:2
IV. Knowing God’s Word results in successful living, Josh. 2:7-8, Psa. 1
4. The main divisions may treat a subject by comparison or contrast with something else
in Scripture.
An Effective Testimony!
Topic: A comparison between the testimony of the believer and salt.
I. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should season, Col. 4:6
II. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should purify, I Thess. 4:4
III. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should not lose its savor, Matt. 5:13
IV. Like salt, the believer’s testimony should create thirst, I Pet. 2:12
5. The main divisions may be expressed by a certain word or phrase of Scripture which is repeated though
out the outline.
The Ability of God!
Topic: Some Things Which God Is Able to DO!
I. He is able to save, Heb 7:25
II. He is able to keep, Jude 24
III. He is able to help, Heb. 2:18
IV. He is able to subdue, Phil. 3:21
V. He is able to give grace, II Cor. 9:8
VI. He is able to do beyond what we ask or think, Eph. 3:20
6. The main divisions may be supported by an identical word or phrase of Scripture though out the
outline.
7. The main division may consist of a word study showing the various meanings of a certain word or
words in Scripture. (Such as a study of the names of Christ, or the names of God, etc.)
3
