I’ve been asking different people, “What makes a sermon memorable?” Some of the answers I’ve received haven’t been all that helpful, such as, “A really attractive preacher!”
More to the point was the individual who responded, “To be memorable, the sermon should have a specific application regarding what’s expected of me, then maybe even e-mail reminders throughout the week.”
Re-said, for this individual, a sermon had staying power when the speaker spelled out clearly and precisely what was expected by way of response and this was followed up by e-mail reminders every couple of days.
To some ministers this may seem like overkill. Then again, I’m sure there are those in just about every congregation who would see this as extremely helpful and would probably testify later that such a sermon was truly memorable for them.
Let’s agree, anyway, that a sermon needs to touch where people are living. Then it should also call for a clear response. Those listening should be able to say, “The pastor wants me to ______________________.”
If there are those in the congregation who might not know how to meet such expectations, the message should also spell out ways this can be done. For example, being challenged to become “master handlers of God’s Word” won’t help new Christians who know very little about the Bible and its complexities plus ways to go about studying it. So, the minister has to come up with “spiritual baby-steps” and maybe even e-mail reminders to those who indicate they would find such prompts helpful.
———————————————
No matter what type of Sunday sermon you need to create, David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
