But what makes a truly good sermon? I think there are 5 key questions to ask:
1) Was it God’s Word that was preached?
‘In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.’ 2 Timothy 4:1-3
Clue: Was the Bible read and regularly interacted with?
2) Was God’s Word correctly handled?
‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’ 2 Timothy 2:15
Clues: Ask these sort of questions:
- Where did they get that from in the Bible passage(s)?
- What was ignored in the Bible passage(s)?
- Were things correctly explained in their original context(s) (Historical / Literary / Biblical)?
- Were things correctly applied into our contemporary context(s)?
"Ministers are ambassadors for God, and speak in Christ's stead. If they preach what is founded on the Scriptures, their word, as far as it is agreeable to the mind of God, is to be considered as God's. This is asserted by our Lord and His apostles. We ought therefore to receive the preacher's word as the word of God Himself. With what humility then ought we to attend to it! What judgments may we not expect, if we slight it." Charles Simeon
3) Was it accessible?
‘Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.’ 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Clue: Can you summarise it?
"Cursed are all preachers that in the church aim at height and hard things, and, neglecting the saving health of the poor unlearned people, seek their own honour and praise, and therewith to please one or two ambitious persons. When I preach, I sink myself deep down. I regard neither Doctors nor Magistrates, of whom are here in this church above forty; but I have an eye to the multitude of young people, children, and servants, of whom are more than two thousand. I preach to those, directing myself to them that have need thereof. Will not the rest hear me? The door stands open unto them; they may be gone." Martin Luther
4) Who was the hero?
‘When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
Clue: Who were you thinking well of as you walked away?
"No man can give the impression that he himself is clever and that Christ is mighty to save." James Denney
5) Did it demand repentance and faith?
‘After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”’ Mark 1:14-15
Clue: Has it impacted your life in any way?
"A truly evangelical sermon must be like offering a child a fine red apple or offering a thirsty man a cool glass of water and then saying "Do you want it?"' Dietrich Bonhoeffer
So was Sunday's sermon a good one? You decide! Want further help on all of this? Get hold of a copy of Christoper Ash's booklet Listen Up! A Practical guide to listening to sermons here.
