Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. What is a sermon? A sermon is the declaration of a biblical message. Declared - spoken rather than written Biblical - based on a biblical text, theme, or topic Message - a singular unit of thought with purpose, unity, and movement. What are the elements of a sermon? Introduction Proposition Transition Explanation Argumentation Application Illustration Conclusion Invitation In the church, preaching is that holy half hour each week when the assembly of the redeemed closes her collective mouth, opens her ear and heart,...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you to preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, H.B. gives 25 tips for using sermon illustrations effectively... Purposeful Illustrations  Strategic Illustrations  Personal Illustrations  Transparent Illustrations  Discreet Illustrations  Historical Illustrations  Biblical Illustrations Contemporary Illustrations  Pastoral Illustrations  Relatable Illustrations  Visual Illustrations  Real-world  Factual Illustrations   Credited Illustrations  Interesting Illustrations  Diverse Illustrations Detailed Illustrations  Brief Illustrations  Simple Illustrations  Creative Illustrations  Humorous Illustrations  Appropriate Illustrations  Practical Illustrations  Authorized illustrations  Prepared Illustrations  You may build up laborious definitions and explanations and yet leave your hearers in the dark as to your meaning;...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, H.B. shares several of his new year preaching resolutions to grow in his pulpit ministry in 2024. To be more prayerful in my sermon preparation. I recognize the vital role prayer plays in sermon preparation. For this reason, I desire to be even more prayerful in my word-work for pulpit ministry. To finish my sermon preparation earlier in the week. I have been committed to starting my sermon preparation as early as possible. I now want to be more diligent...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, H.B. issues a challenge to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Preach divine truth. The preacher is called to be a message for God. This is a wonderful privilege and an awesome responsibility. Preach as one who will give account to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Preach biblical truth. God has spoken through his word. Scripture is breathed out by God. It is our responsibility to preach scripture as the divine revelation from God...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. Good preaching is hard work. That hard work includes the life you live, the text you select, and the message you craft. In this episode, H.B. discusses the hard work of biblical interpretation. What does the word work of biblical preaching involve? Book Introduction  Observational Reading  Word Studies   English Translation  Literary Context Structural Argument  Historical Background Cross References  Bible Commentary  Systematic Theology  Practical Application  The work of preaching is the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, I want to discuss the vital role of the pastoral prayer in corporate worship. Pastors should be devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Therefore, our worship services should be filled with biblical preaching and believing prayer. As we model how to handle scripture from the pulpit, we should also model how to address the Father in prayer. To lead the pastoral prayer faithfully and effectively, you must prepare yourself to lead in prayer. We should...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, I interviewed my friend, Victor Sholar. I met Victor at The Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, California. We had several classes together. Later, as he served as associate pastor of the Los Angeles Community Bible Church and a professor at the Los Angeles Bible Training School, we got to know each other better. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Sholar now pastors the historic Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky - where he has served since 2010. He succeeded...

Welcome to the On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. A good cook knows what to look for on a dish to determine if the meal is ready to eat. The same is true for good preachers. You have done your word work. You have a good sermon idea. You are eager to get to the pulpit. But is that meal really ready to be served? Here are seven questions to ask before you preach? Why have I chosen to preach this text? Are you burdened to preach this scripture? Is the text...