Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.

In this episode, I want to offer you fifty tips to help you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.

These pointers are not in any order of importance. They cover a range of subjects related to personal devotion, sermon preparation, and pulpit ministry. And, of course, this list is not exhaustive. There’s a long more to learn about preaching well. But I hope you find some of these words of advice helpful, as you prepare and preach.

Let’s go for it…

1. Plan your preaching. 
2. Start preparing as early as possible. 
3. Prepare when you are at your best. 
4. Gather tools for sermon preparation.
5. Consult the best commentaries.
6. Read and reread the text.
7. Observe before you interpret.
8. Learn to learn quicker.
9. Give time for the message to marinate.
10. Keep a good record of your study notes.
11. Preach the truth and tone of the text.
12. Write complete sermon manuscripts.
13. Write for the ear, not the eye.
14. Strive for clarity.
15. Practice variety.
16. Don’t assume anything.
17. Get good rest before you preach.
18. Saturate sermon preparation in prayer.
19. Make sure your title does not overpromise.
20. Preach the sermon, don’t read it.
21. Be intentional about sermon length.
22. Show it to them in the text.
23. Present the gospel in every sermon.
24. Keep your introduction brief.
25. Only conclude the sermon once.
26. Make smooth transitions.
27. Don’t be the hero of your illustrations.
28. Be careful of indecent exposure.
29. Use scripture for illustrations.
30. Ask probing questions.
31. Do not plagiarize.
32. Use quotations sparingly.
33. Make eye contact.
34. Preach for a verdict.
35. Be yourself.
36. Guard your heart in the pulpit.
37. Get honest feedback.
38. Preach to an audience of one.
39. Determine authorial intent.
40. Prioritize your quiet time.
41. Develop a sermon proposition.
42. Think texts, not topics. Think series, not sermons.
43. Be specific.
44. Preach apologetically.
45. Find a homiletical hero.
46. Read books on preaching
47. Preach with sincere passion.
48. Your sermon points should be necessary and natural.
49. Put application in your sermon points.
50. Live what you preach.

HBC2 RESOURCES: 

• On Preaching by H.B. Charles Jr. 
• On Pastoring by H.B. Charles Jr. 
• On Worship by H.B. Charles Jr. 
• It Happens After Prayer by H.B. Charles Jr. 
• The Difference Jesus Makes by H.B. Charles Jr.