Send us a text
Today, we consider the textual sermon.
Show notes:
The Textual Sermon
I. A Description
- The Textual Sermon derives all its main divisions from the text. Like the Topical Sermon, it is built around the subject, but the main divisions of the Textual Sermon are limited to what the text says about the subject.
- Typically, the Textual Sermon will come from a relatively short passage of Scripture.
- While the main divisions of the sermon are dictated by the text, the sub-divisions, and other supporting materials must be obtained from other places in the Bible.
- The Textual Sermon takes its subject, its outlines, and some of its content from the text.
- As in the Topical Sermon, the subject of the Textual Sermon the subject of the sermon is usually known before the text is selected.
- When a passage of Scripture is handled in a Textual Sermon it may be handled in such a fashion that there is little if any difference between that Textual Sermon and an Expository Sermon.
II. The Advantages
- The Textual Sermon pays more attention to what an actual text of Scripture teaches about a particular subject than does the Topical Sermon.
- In a Textual Sermon, the actual sense of Scripture is given.
- While the passage may dictate the main points, the preacher is able to be very inventive with the sub-points of the sermon.
- Textual sermons are generally easy to prepare.
- Textual Sermons give the preacher tremendous flexibility in sermon preparation and delivery.
- Textual Sermons allow rich passages of Scripture to be mined to their fullest. Some verses are so filled with light and power that they can yield tremendous amounts of teaching and preaching material. John 3:16, for instance, says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
III. The Disadvantages
- While the main points are dictated by the text, the sub-points and other supporting materials are left to the whim of the preacher.
- The choice of subjects preached is limited by the preacher’s knowledge, experience, and personal preferences.
III. The Balance
- Textual Sermons are useful when a preacher must deal with a subject that is handled well in a small portion of Scripture.
- Textual Sermons allow the sense of the Bible to come through.
- Textual Sermons tend to be biblical in their content and in their approach to the Scripture.
I am sorry the show notes are incomplete, the website will not allow me to post the full text. The rest of the notes, outlines, and definitions can be found on our Facebook page.
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/ThePreachingMattersPodcast
Thanks to Jesse Carr for the graphics.
Support the show
Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.
Contact me at alancarr@gmail.com.
The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)
