Sermon Classifications: Descriptions & Legitimacy

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the Pastoral Theology course, explaining its consecutive and cyclical teaching method, the expansion to eight units, and the advantages (group interaction…

The course units are described as a cycle of eight units over four years, where students enter at different points and complete the cycle, ensuring all material is covered despite the non-linear start.

The units are taught in a consecutive and cyclical manner, and although only one class every four years will actually start at the beginning and end at the end, this is the way we handle it. To give you the visual conceptualization, we have eight units, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, are four years, each semester being a complete unit of PT, one, two, three, four, five, six, then seven and eight, up to...

0:59 - 1:31 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the Pastoral Theology course, explaining its consecutive and cyclical teaching method, the expansion to eight units, and the advantages (group interaction…

Martin describes how feedback from graduates about missing topics (e.g., ethics of guest speakers, problems of pastors' wives) led to the expansion of the course to include tentative units 7 and 8, illustrating the organic growth of the curriculum.

Until now, it's been three years, and wherever you come in, you go to the end, and then pick up this part next time around. But over the past couple of years, I've had a file called Pastoral Theology, units seven and eight tentative, and it's growing all the time. As our graduates have interaction with me and they say, Pastor Martin, I went back through my Pastoral Theology notes, I couldn't find anything on the ethics and guidelines of how to treat guest speakers, found nothing in my Pastoral Theology about this and about that, and so I've been slipping little notes into the file and thoughts...

1:31 - 2:40 Read in full sermon

The point: If you feel lost due to missing foundational principles, listen to recommended tapes of earlier lectures to fill in the gaps.

Martin expresses amazement at Pastor Bob's ability to fit the curriculum together with limited staff, highlighting the practical constraints that influence the course structure.

I never cease to be amazed at how Pastor Bob fits all the things together, given the limited number of staff that we have and the relatively broad curriculum that we have, and trying to fit in three more classes, I'm afraid, would drive the man into overbrook. So the main reason for teaching the course this way has to do with those two factors, the stewardship of my time and the framework of the academic schedule. Now, there are some distinct advantages and disadvantages to this arrangement. As I've viewed it over the years, the advantages, I believe, are basically two.

2:40 - 3:22 Read in full sermon

The point: If you feel lost due to missing foundational principles, listen to recommended tapes of earlier lectures to fill in the gaps.

The advantage of all students thinking together on critical issues is likened to 'group dynamics' and Proverbs 24:6, illustrating how diverse backgrounds contribute to profitable discussion and insights.

First of all, we are all made to think together at the same time about the same critical issue, issues relative to the work of the ministry. And this fact, we have found, often leads to a pattern of discussion and group interaction which proves unusually profitable, so that we're learning in the dynamics of this kind of coming together as an entire company of men, the truth of Proverbs 24.6, that in the multitude of counselors there is safety, and even worldlings have locked in to the benefits of what they call group dynamics. And there is tremendous benefit that comes when those of us who are...

3:22 - 4:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that homiletical principles are drawn from rhetoric (the science of effective oral communication based on general revelation) through observation, evaluation, and…

The complex interaction of human communication is visualized as a 'pie' with raw materials (substance), organization, vocabulary, and delivery factors, helping to conceptualize the scope of rhetoric.

And anyone observing that phenomenon will notice that there are, in the pie of that entire complex of interaction, certain raw materials which constitute the substance of the communication. All right? A man is saying something about something. Those are the raw materials. Then it's evident that he is organizing them. He's presenting them in some kind of sequential arrangement. Beginning, perhaps, with an introduction, moving to an explanation, a summarization, and then what in classic rhetoric would be called a peroration, in which he seeks to hurl all of this material, upon the affections of ...

18:11 - 19:02 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that homiletical principles are drawn from rhetoric (the science of effective oral communication based on general revelation) through observation, evaluation, and…

The observation of two speakers—one engaging listeners' eyes and another glued to his manuscript—illustrates how rhetoricians evaluate and conclude principles of effective oral communication.

So there is observation of these things. That's the first step in forming a science of rhetoric. Then the observation, leads to some evaluation. I am observing a certain thing, now I must evaluate. Is that contributing to or detracting from effective oral communication? For example, someone who is attempting to make a contribution to the science of rhetoric observes a certain man speaking in a given situation and then observes another man in another situation and he notices that in the one case the man engages the eyes of his listeners.

20:17 - 21:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Be discerning and constantly bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, especially when evaluating principles from general revelation.

Jesus' teaching in Mark 10 about Gentile leaders exercising authority versus greatness through service in the church illustrates how general revelation (observable patterns) can be contradicted by special revelation when sin distorts nature.

So you see, we must never allow the axioms of rhetoric as a science to bring us to a view of homiletics that will bring us in conflict with the Word of God. So that's the point that I'm making. So, we take rhetoric in as a servant and are prepared to use its insights based upon general revelation. We recognize that just as in the general Christian life there are certain patterns that seem to be an observable phenomenon in general revelation which are really an expression of how sin has so dominated man as he lives that in the dynamics of grace you just don't operate. A few weeks ago we were in...

29:54 - 31:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Be discerning and constantly bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, especially when evaluating principles from general revelation.

The change of Dabney's book title from 'Sacred Rhetoric' to 'Dabney on Preaching' is used to illustrate the negative modern connotation of the word 'rhetoric' and Martin's desire to resurrect its positive meaning.

Well likewise, there may be certain things that have woven themselves into the texture of rhetoric as a science that men who themselves being spiritually blind and not illuminated by scriptures have failed to distinguish between what was indeed nature as God intended it to be and nature as impinged upon by sin. So we've got to be aware of that and be discerning and constantly bringing in this area, as in all areas, every thought captive to the obedience of God. of Christ. But I'd like to see us get back to the place where the word rhetoric is not a knee-jerk word. See, in our day, most people,...

31:33 - 32:42 Read in full sermon

The point: Be discerning and constantly bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, especially when evaluating principles from general revelation.

Shedd's original title, including 'Sacred Rhetoric,' further supports the historical and positive use of the term 'rhetoric' in theological discourse.

Well likewise, there may be certain things that have woven themselves into the texture of rhetoric as a science that men who themselves being spiritually blind and not illuminated by scriptures have failed to distinguish between what was indeed nature as God intended it to be and nature as impinged upon by sin. So we've got to be aware of that and be discerning and constantly bringing in this area, as in all areas, every thought captive to the obedience of God. of Christ. But I'd like to see us get back to the place where the word rhetoric is not a knee-jerk word. See, in our day, most people,...

31:33 - 32:42 Read in full sermon

The point: Be dogmatic about clear enunciation and voice projection in preaching, as it is supported by both general and special revelation.

Paul's illustration of a bugler sounding indistinct notes leading to confusion among soldiers (1 Corinthians 14:7-8) is used to demonstrate how general revelation confirms the need for clear enunciation in preaching.

Verse 7, even things without life giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? Now, here is an observation from general revelation. All of the soldiers are in their tents, and the bugler goes out and he starts bugling. And one guy grabs his helmet and his rifle and runs out to present himself at arms. Another guy grabs his mess kit and heads for the mess tent. I mean, it's confusion. What happened? Well, the bugler wasn't bugling r...

34:27 - 35:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Be careful and beware of experts who make pronouncements that contradict the history of preaching.

Spurgeon's ministry at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, characterized by topical and textual preaching, is presented as historical evidence against the axiom that only consecutive expository preaching produces a vibrant church.

And the history of preaching demonstrates it. What was going on in London for 30 years? It was having its impact. It was having its impact upon the entire Christian world there at the Metropolitan Tabernacle.

38:43 - 38:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Be careful and beware of experts who make pronouncements that contradict the history of preaching.

The analogy of leaders having a long-term perspective and planning for a herd of cattle (e.g., fattening them for market) illustrates the principle of effective leadership in general revelation, applicable to pastoral oversight.

And they notice, for example, that where there is effective leadership, there is long-term perspective and planning. The leaders know where they're attempting to lead people. They're not just keeping them together, hoarded like animals in a corral day by day, getting up every morning scratching their heads saying, what shall we do with the herd today?" There is an overall goal.

40:28 - 40:54 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Topical sermons expound a biblical doctrine, duty, or theme without being limited by one major text; a text may introduce the theme but doesn't govern the sermon's development…

An extended analogy of a stage in a theater and a play is introduced to describe the three kinds of sermons, providing a visual framework for understanding their differences.

And in laying out what they are, I'm going to use an extended analogy, an extended analogy right through my description of the three kinds of sermons, and it will be the extended analogy of a stage in a theater and a play or plays that may be acted out upon that stage, and I hope you'll see the benefit of that extended analogy as we work our way through. All right, under, then, the specific description of the various kinds or species of sermons, first of all, the topical or seminal. Subject sermons, as you will find them called in some of the old writers. Topical or subject sermons.

45:28 - 46:11 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Topical sermons expound a biblical doctrine, duty, or theme without being limited by one major text; a text may introduce the theme but doesn't govern the sermon's development…

Mark Sarver's sermon on the independence of God is given as a concrete example of a topical sermon, where a theme sets the stage and texts from across the Bible serve as actors.

But the various scenes and the actors are drawn from all over the wide range of biblical materials. For example, Mark Sarver's recent message on the independence of God. He had no one text as the launching pad for his sermon. The sermon was not organized around one text.

47:32 - 47:57 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Topical sermons expound a biblical doctrine, duty, or theme without being limited by one major text; a text may introduce the theme but doesn't govern the sermon's development…

Pastor Nichols' ten-part series on Christian maturity, launched from Colossians 1, illustrates a topical sermon series where a text introduces a theme but doesn't limit the subsequent development.

For example, those of you who were here when Pastor Nichols was preaching through Colossians 1, he came to the subject of Christian maturity toward the end of chapter 1, and he brought a series of ten topical sermons on the theme, Christian maturity.

49:22 - 49:37 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Topical sermons expound a biblical doctrine, duty, or theme without being limited by one major text; a text may introduce the theme but doesn't govern the sermon's development…

Brooks' work, using Psalm 39:9 to introduce the theme of an afflicted Christian, is cited as a Puritan example of a topical sermon.

Now, you find this in many of the old Puritan works. For example, Brooks, the mute Christian under the rod. He uses Psalm 39.9 as the basic text to introduce the theme, and having done so, then the whole of the biblical witness is brought to bear upon the subject of an afflicted Christian.

49:57 - 50:17 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Topical sermons expound a biblical doctrine, duty, or theme without being limited by one major text; a text may introduce the theme but doesn't govern the sermon's development…

Owen's classic treatment of mortification, using Romans 8:13 to set the stage for a broader biblical theme, is another Puritan example of a topical sermon.

Owen's classic treatment on mortification. He takes Romans 8.13 and exegetes it to do what? To set the stage in the backdrop.

50:18 - 50:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not object to topical sermons; recognize their legitimacy and usefulness, as demonstrated by Christ and the apostles.

Martin recounts a situation where differing convictions about Christmas threatened church unity, leading him to preach a topical sermon series on Christian liberty to address the crisis.

In some cases, it may be that in your pastoral interaction there's a pressing situation that may raise a question or a field of inquiry that will cause you to bring a subject before your people and seek to treat it in a biblical, orderly, and structured way. For example, a number of years ago, when we began to draw people from all kinds of backgrounds, we began to try to live harmoniously, we found that as December drew near, there was a lot of people and there was a lot of discussion about the whole matter of Christmas.

50:45 - 51:24 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not object to topical sermons; recognize their legitimacy and usefulness, as demonstrated by Christ and the apostles.

Jesus' response to the disciples arguing about who would be greatest is presented as an example of a topical sermon on humility.

And you may find yourself doing that a number of times throughout your ministry. For any who would object and say that such kinds of sermons are not worthy of the name, my answer is that position is ridiculous. We find our Lord continually giving topical sermons. The disciples, the disciples are arguing about who's going to be number one, so the Lord gives a topical sermon on humility.

52:02 - 52:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not object to topical sermons; recognize their legitimacy and usefulness, as demonstrated by Christ and the apostles.

Jesus' use of current events (Galileans killed by Pilate, tower of Siloam) to introduce the necessity of repentance is given as another example of a topical sermon.

Apparently there was a lot of discussion about some recent current events referred to in Luke 13, 3. And our Lord says, do you think those sinners who perished were worse than all the other sinners, those upon whom the tower fell? I tell you nay, but except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. There He used some current events to introduce the subject of the necessity of repentance to avoid the judgment of God.

52:32 - 53:03 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Textual sermons open up and apply a specific verse or group of connected verses, with all major components drawn from that text, using other passages only to highlight the…

A recent communion sermon on the purpose of Christ's death from Galatians 1:3-5 is cited as a good model of a textual sermon, where the entire message is drawn from those three verses.

It is a unit in itself. The best recent example of that we had was communion service last week. Or, yeah, last week. The sermon on Galatians 1, 3 to 5.

55:21 - 55:35 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Expository sermons involve the consecutive exposition and application of an entire book, chapter, or large segment of Scripture, functioning as an extended serial play where each…

Martin notes that older Scottish divines referred to expository sermons as 'lectures,' providing historical context for the terminology.

Well, most of the old writers, though some of the more recent writers using the language more in a more limited sense say anything that is not expository is not preaching, but it confuses things. Expository sermons were one time called lectures. And if you're reading any of the older Scottish divines, the 19th century divines, they called that the lecture. And by that they meant consecutive expository teaching and preaching.

56:15 - 56:43 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Expository sermons involve the consecutive exposition and application of an entire book, chapter, or large segment of Scripture, functioning as an extended serial play where each…

Martin's struggle with the Holy Spirit's decision to split the incident of the cursed fig tree in Mark illustrates the challenge of consecutive expository preaching and being true to the biblical text's structure.

The Holy Spirit, inspired Mark, to split up the incident of the cursed fig tree. Now, if I were writing it, I wouldn't have done it that way. I'd have had the fig tree cursed, and then the results, because it would have been easier to preach it. And I'd have written it so it was easier for the preacher.

58:51 - 59:08 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Make it a topical sermon. Make the text teach but one lesson.

Martin quotes Shedd's assertion that the topical sermon is the model species and that textual and expository sermons should be made 'as topical as possible,' highlighting a rhetorical overemphasis.

But I want to address the subject more directly now. One cannot help but be amazed and at times amused at the unwarranted pontificating which occurs on this subject. For example, Shedd, who was obviously well-trained in classic rhetoric,

60:56 - 61:17 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And long after they've come and gone and pontificated that the only true preaching is consecutive expository preaching, Spurgeon lives on blessing multitudes in all kinds of languages all around the world with his textua…

Martin quotes Spurgeon's strong personal convictions against announcing sermon series and his preference for variety, illustrating a contrasting view on sermon planning and types.

And long after they've come and gone and pontificated that the only true preaching is consecutive expository preaching, Spurgeon lives on blessing multitudes in all kinds of languages all around the world with his textual and his topical sermons. So, you come back, you come back to the quality control on some of these things. But, here's what Spurgeon said on page 94 on the choice of the text. I'm asked whether it's a good thing to announce arrangements and publish lists of projected sermons.

63:45 - 64:15 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And long after they've come and gone and pontificated that the only true preaching is consecutive expository preaching, Spurgeon lives on blessing multitudes in all kinds of languages all around the world with his textua…

Spurgeon's anecdote about a boring series of discourses on Hebrews that 'sadly bored one poor Gentile lad' is used to illustrate the potential pitfalls of consecutive expository preaching if not done well.

It is questionable whether the great majority of list preachers had far, had not far better burned their programs if they would succeed. I have a very lively or rather deadly recollection of a certain series of discourses on the Hebrews which made a deep impression on my mind of a most undesirable kind. I wish frequently that the Hebrews had kept the epistle for themselves.

64:54 - 65:18 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Well, I say without any embarrassment or reservation that all three species are legitimate vehicles of conveying the truth of God if, if they meet the criteria of the fundamental action of the Holy Spirit.

Spurgeon's reference to Joseph Caryl starting his lectures on Job with 800 hearers and ending with only eight further illustrates the potential for expository series to become dull.

Are all courses of sermons like this? Perhaps not. And yet I fear the exceptions are few. For as Eden said of that wonderful expositor Joseph Carlyle, Joseph Carlyle, or Carole, I'm sorry, that he commenced his famous lectures upon Job with 800 hearers and closed the book with only eight.

65:53 - 66:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Well, I say without any embarrassment or reservation that all three species are legitimate vehicles of conveying the truth of God if, if they meet the criteria of the fundamental action of the Holy Spirit.

Spurgeon's belief in waiting for God to give the specific text, even an hour before service, highlights his unique approach to sermon preparation.

And then he goes on in typical Spurgeonic way. So Spurgeon felt very, very strong. And you know how he felt about getting that particular text. It bordered almost on mystical and direct revelation.

66:12 - 66:25 Read in full sermon

The point: Develop facility in all kinds of sermons (topical, textual, expository) because each serves different ends.

Martin quotes Shedd again, this time where Shedd contradicts his earlier statement by advocating that all three sermon species should be employed by every preacher, regardless of temperament, to meet the diverse needs of the congregation.

On the other hand, the person who because his bent of mind and temperament are such that he feels antsy when he's stuck anywhere for any length of time who never takes up a book longer than Philemon, there's something wrong with him. So we must under God seek to develop a facility in all of these kinds of sermons because some of them serve ends that are not served by the others as we shall see when we come next week God willing to deal with the relative strengths and weaknesses the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of sermon. Now Shed, I told you, bails himself out later on when he say...

68:41 - 69:50 Read in full sermon

The point: Labor at developing skill and efficiency in using all three species of sermons for your benefit and the benefit of your people.

The nursery rhyme 'Jack Spratt could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean' is used to illustrate the diversity of preferences and needs within a congregation, justifying a variety of sermon approaches.

so good to get back into well they're not being insincere they're just reflecting this principle Jack Spratt could eat no fat his wife could eat no lean so betwixt them both they licked the platter clean so the way God's put people together there is this diversity now recognizing that you don't want to gather around you people of only one kind of mental caste one kind of mental furniture and psychological and whatever else enters into the the chemistry of the mystery of human personality and mind that makes people have these diversities of affinity you don't want to gather just one kind of per...

76:33 - 77:51 Read in full sermon