Scriptural Foundation: We start with scripture and it inspires our sermons, not the other way around. We do NOT start with a “cool” idea and seek to find scriptures that say what we want it to. We may want to have a series of ideas, but scripture dictates where those ideas go, not us.
Clear path: If we ask someone the point of our message, they should know, and it should be clear how they got there. The path from hello to goodnight should be clear and understood.
Clear response: Information is good, but information without application is useless. Make a response to the message clear, and if at all possible make it something that can be started right then.
Truth in your life: If it doesn’t matter to you, then it doesn’t matter. If they can’t see how the message relates to your life, they are less inclined to listen and almost certainly won’t be changed.
Preaching from the center: There are many topics of theology that are wonderful to discuss but which cause argument and division. As a service should be unifying, we choose to focus on those things that are central to our faith. We have enough to worry about with trying to understand and live the Christian life, that we don’t need pet doctrines. As Paul stated: “Christ and him crucified.”
Time: Preaching should be minimum 20 min. and maximum 40. Preaching too long makes it hard to remember and east to distract, while too short makes it easy to disregard as unimportant.
Style: I recommend the 1 point sermon, while you may want to preach on so many things and give a lot of information, sometimes that is all it will become: information. We prefer to give them one idea to focus on and that would be a catalyst of change.
Something for everyone: Remember your audience. Too often we make the mistake of making our sermons too shallow, only appealing to one group. We want to remind you that there are believers and unbelievers and we should preach accordingly. Give hope to those unbelievers and life to the believers both those that are new and know little and those that are old and know much. A good sermon includes this all. The cross includes this all.
Make it memorable: Studies show that people remember less than 10% of what they hear when it is delivered in lecture form. So do whatever you can to make it stick in their mind: props, pictures, videos, stories, interaction. The more they remember, the more it has a chance to change them.
Not all are called to be teachers: Remember you speak as the oracle of God. Your opinion doesn’t matter. It is a fearful thing to be a preacher, and we are accountable for much. This thought must go into all preparation. The goal is lives being changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and you being faithful to do your part in accord with him, not to be known as an awesome preacher.