Different preachers use varied approaches when looking to share their sermons.
Some are direct and straight to the point, while others go deeper in their
message, calling for further analysis depending on the audience present.[1] It
would be impractical for a seasoned preacher to take a solid sermon to a group
of adolescents, just as it would be for them to take a simple one to a
congregation of their clergymen. In this light, the following discussion analyzes
two sermons using the terminologies provided by Wayne McDill. The two
preachers are Edward Victor Hill and Karl Barth.
Preacher One: Edward Victor Hill
g g g g g g g Edward's ministry is regarded as clear, bold, and imaginative.[2] In his
excerpt sermon, Edward employs the historical God-centered approach, ensuring
that focus is placed on the original message intended.[3] It can be seen through
his commencement of the sermon, where he declares that the name of Jesus has
the power to save, heal, change lives, and secure eternity.[4] Using this, the
congregation looks back to the definition of Jesus per the Word of God, which
insists that human salvation is only through His mighty name.
g g g g g g g Edward also employs an application statement to get his message to the
congregation. Such is seen in the instance where he bravely asked God to let his
mother see him there.[5] The statements address the audience in particular
concerning what they can do, which is dare God to open a way for them. By
asking God to let his mother see him there, he was placing his faith in the Lord,
per the teachings of Matthew 7:7-8, which insists that whatever we ask shall be
given unto us through trust in the Lord.
Preacher Two: Karl Barth
g g g g g g g g Karl's ministry is one that was regarded to maintain its focus on the
central tenents of Christian preaching, encompassing God the Father, God the
Son, and God the Holy Spirit.[6] One of the primary skills employed by Karl Barth
is the divisional statements, more precisely, historical statements. These can be
regarded as past tense material from the scripture, which allows the congregants
to focus on the original message intended.[7] Such can be seen in Barth's sermon
where he mentions that Jesus was found in the company of criminals who never
deserved his presence as he was too good to be there while, on the other hand,
they were too evil for His presence.[8]
Barth's sermon also employs a different type of skill by McDill, which is an
exhortative statement. It is seen in the line, "But now listen. Into the depth of our
predicament, the Word is spoken from on high: By grace, you have been saved!"[9]
According to McDill, this sort of statement addresses the audience regarding
what they are anticipated to do. It gives them an application to focus on, which is
not exact.[10] The approach in his sermon ensures that his congregation can find
a reason to apply what they have learned. Such allows them to have conviction in
their next step, emphasizing the preacher's central message.
Lastly, Barth employs a God-centered approach to pass his message to the
congregation. Such is seen in the statement "He stands by you," which directly
references God's devotion to always be with us in our good and rough times.[11]
According to McDill, this sort of approach is a propositional format that
exemplifies God's promise to man, provided we trust and have faith in him.
Through such, the preacher ensures that his audiences get to understand God's
proposition to their life and the value of belief in his Word.
[1] Wayne McDill, The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching B&H Academic, 2015.,
12
[2] Dante Wright, E. V. Hill: Preaching God’s Word for Spiritual and Social
Transformation Phil Fewsmith, n.d., 1
[3] Wayne McDill, "Skill 6. Writing Sermon Divisions", in the 12 Essential Skills for
Great Preaching B&H Academic, 2015., 6
[4] Wright, E. V. Hill: Preaching God’s Word for Spiritual and Social Transformation.,
108
[5] Wright., 108
[6] William Willimon, Karl Barth: Preaching Christ, n.d., 1
[7] McDill, "Skill 6. Writing Sermon Divisions", in the 12 Essential Skills for Great
Preaching., 6
[8] Willimon, Karl Barth: Preaching Christ., 38
[9] Willimon., 40
[10] McDill, "Skill 6. Writing Sermon Divisions", in the 12 Essential Skills for Great
Preaching., 8
[11] Willimon., 39
g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g Bibliography
McDill, Wayne. The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching. B&H Academic, 2015.
McDill, Wayne, ed. "Skill 6. Writing Sermon Divisions". In The 12 Essential Skills for
Great Preaching. B&H Academic, 2015.
Willimon, William. Karl Barth: Preaching Christ, n.d.
Wright, Dante. E. V. Hill: Preaching God's Word for Spiritual and Social
Transformation. Phil Fewsmith, n.d.
