Prepare Well
Preparation prevents faking it in the pulpit. One HUGE rule of preaching is “don’t just make stuff up!” So study, prepare, work hard. Every Sunday is a test of your dedication and commitment to the Word.
Preach Without Notes
This adds time and energy to preparation. You not only have to compile material and arrange it in a way that makes sense, but you must commit it to memory. For myself, I memorize my major points. If I’ve studied well, the sermon flows from the heart rather than having to leap off of the page.
Make Eye Contact
See the eyes of your people when you preach to them and you’ll see a piece of their heart as well. Of course, preaching without notes helps this process a great deal, but even if you use notes, glance at them and then return your attention to those from whom you’ve asked attention.
Tell Your Story
Every sermon represents biblical and doctrinal truth, but it also says something about your life, so tell your story. Your testimony and experiences mean a great deal to your congregation. They know you more by hearing about your personal life, so let them in and they’ll trust you more and respond well when you have to apply the truth in highly convicting ways. And, humorous and painful stories create highly teachable moments in the congregation.
Live It Out
Jesus embodied all of God’s truth. He “tabernacled” Himself among us. He is God wrapped in human flesh. We ought to follow in His steps and be God’s truth, wrapped in flesh. Sermons are not just taught on Sunday but demonstrated daily as we are observed by those who listen to us. We live life in a fish bowl, to some degree, so put on a show—not the kind where you act like a believer, but where you become a trophy of God’s marvelous and powerful grace.
Love Your Listeners
One of the things I pray before every sermon is, “Lord, help me love the people as I preach.” It’s easier to get messy in ministry when we love people the way God does. And what we say matters to people only when we’ve loved them in saying it.
Do It All Over Again
Sincerity goes along with consistency. We must be sincere week in and week out. There must be a pattern. Sadly, one mistake can blow our testimony for a long time into the future, so we must live consistently, prepare consistently and preach consistently.
Sincerity matters in preaching. It’s a key value, a core component of effectively representing the gospel and communicating God’s truth in this present age. In fact, we need it more than ever!
