Four Types of Sermons

What type of sermons do you like? Did you know the type of sermon you prefer is
generally descriptive of your personality? As a preacher, I have noticed over the years that
certain people will enjoy certain types of sermons and others gravitate towards different ones.
Why does this occur? How can two people be listening to a sermon result in one being uplifted
and another not be? This is primarily answered in the type of the sermon which is being
preached.

This lesson is actually four sermons in one, put together to illustrate four types of
sermons. Each one of the lessons will stand on its own.

1) Narrative Sermon
a. What is a Narrative Sermon
A narrative sermon tells a biblical story while drawing a biblical conclusion. In the
narrative, one will cover a chapter or more, coming to a juncture and summarizing what was
found for the purpose of application.

b. What are the pros and cons of a narrative sermon?

The benefits of this type of lesson are good contextual conclusions and familiarization.
The negative aspect of the narrative sermon is that a lot of scriptural meat is left on the table.

c. What type of person enjoys the narrative sermon?

i. Those who like to read the Bible rather than engage in deep study.
ii. Those who like to keep it simple.
The individuals who enjoy a narrative sermon generally spend most of their study time
reading the through the Bible. They may not know the applications, but they do know the stories.

d. Example of Narrative Sermon

Take for example the love between David and Jonathan. In chapter 1Samuel chapter 16,
David was secretly anointed the King of Israel by Samuel. In Chapter 17, we find the Lord’s
glory in the sling of David against Goliath. As a result, David was given Michal, King Saul’s
daughter, and became part of the family. In Chapter 18, we find David male-bonding with his
new brother-in-law, Jonathan. They were the best of friends for it was said that “the soul of
Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.”

In chapters 18 and 19, King Saul was jealous for God’s success for David. Instead of
dealing with the anger problem, he plotted to kill David. When Jonathan found out about the
danger of David, he mediated in the face of danger. In chapter 20, Jonathan and David formed a
covenant; they swore lifelong allegiance to each other. Later in the chapter, Jonathan was willing
to forsake his own father for defense of David.

Chapter 20 ends with Jonathan having to warn David to flee for his life in the fury of his
father Saul. 1 Samuel 20:42, And Jonathan said to David, "Go in safety, inasmuch as we have
sworn to each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD will be between me and you,
and between my descendants and your descendants forever.'" Then he rose and departed, while

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Jonathan went into the city. In Chapter 23, we find Jonathan encouraging David in the
wilderness and making another covenant with him. This would be the last time these godly
friends would be together for Jonathan would die battling the Philistines in chapter 31.

e. Application
What did we learn about the love of God manifesting itself in the life of men? It is a love
that is soul-knitted deep. It is love that is strong in the face of danger. It is a lifelong love. It is a
love that forsakes all other allegiances. It is a love that encourages until the end. It is a love that
can only be found through the love of Christ.

2) Topical Sermon
a. What is a Topical Sermon?
A topical sermon is when a topic is chosen and a broad range of scriptures are gathered
throughout the Bible. Once the wide ranges of verses are gathered, then a position is taken on the
topic using those scriptures.

b. What are the pros and cons of a topical sermon?

It produces a broad view of the Bible on a topic and is easy to follow by those who have a
tendency not to engage in deep study. Because each verse selected is being taken out of a block
of text, the negative of the topical sermon is a tendency to take things out of context.

c. What types of people enjoy a topical sermon?

i. Those who want a biblically-broad perspective
ii. Those who lean toward opinion above context.
The foremost enjoys topical studies because it gets to the overall biblical point and the
latter because it allows one to hold onto opinions instead of being changed by the context.

d. Example of Topical Sermon

We will use the topic of Love. What does the Bible say about love? It clearly tells us that
Christians are to love EVERYONE! Since there is not one single verse that comes out and says,
“Thou shalt love everyone”. However, we can come to the conclusion using the following
verses.

• Matthew 5:43-44, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your
neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and
pray for those who persecute you’”
• John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this
all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another."
• Colossians 3:19, “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered
against them.”
• Titus 2:3-4, “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior,
not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

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that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love
their children”
• Matt 22:37-38, “And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is
the great and foremost commandment.’”
• Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such
things there is no law.”

Each verse in its context is teaching a separate point, but combined they mean something
else. The topic was chosen first and then proven by selecting the particular verses. When
someone teaches a lesson, whether in small groups, women’s classes or sermons, the topical
approach allows teachers to go in with pre-conceived conclusions, then prove them. This is fine
if they were right to begin with, but if they aren’t, they will probably find enough to get by with a
lie. Be leery of a teacher or preacher that only goes the topical route.

e. Application
As Christians, we have the responsibility to love every single person on earth. If we are
failing in this goal, then we must overcome lest we find ourselves on the other side of salvation
in the Day of Judgement.

3) Expository Sermon
a. What in an Expository Sermon?
The expository sermon derives its name from the process of “exposing”. One takes a
passage of scripture, generally less than a chapter, and simply exposes what it there. Throughout
the entire text, application is to be made.

b. What are the pros and cons of an expository sermon?

The strengths of the expository style are context and application, two things that most
people enjoy. The weakness of the expository lesson is that it sometimes goes too deep for some
and too shallow for others.

c. What types of people enjoy expository lessons?

i. Those who have a deep thirst to learn God’s word
ii. Those who desire to apply God’s word to their everyday life.
Those who have a short attention span, allowing their minds to wander during the lesson,
will generally not appreciate an expository sermon. This is because the expository sermon builds
upon itself. If they miss an exposed step, they are lost in the logic.

d. Example of Expository Sermon

Covering 1 Corinthians chapter 13 would be a good example. Paul was correcting the
non-loving ways of the Corinthians in relation to each other. Some thought they were better than
others because they had certain gifts. This is what we find in verses 1-3, the use of gifts, like
tongues, prophecy and personal sacrifice, being worthless if there is no love in executing them.

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Did you know no matter what we do for each other, no matter what we say, no matter what we
sacrifice, if the recipient fails to feel loved, it is worthless?

In verses 4-7, Paul continued describing what Christian love is and what it isn’t. It is
“patient love is kind, {and} is not jealous; love does not brag {and} is not arrogant, does not act
unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong
suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” One can almost see the Corinthians
slide down with shame into their pews as this was being read. All the things that love is, they
weren’t. All the things that love isn’t, they were. How many of these apply to us? If someone
were to come into this congregation today, would they say this is descriptive of the love they see
here? Would they see verses 4-7 before they read it?

In verses 8-10, Paul appeals to their logical sense. He reminds them that love will never
fails, but the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit would. They were using these gifts to tear each
other down when in reality, they should have been using them to build each other up. Soon, they
would not have these gifts because “when the perfect comes” (the formation of the Bible), “the
partial will be done away.” Did you know that even though we don’t have the gifts today, we
have something even better, the Bible? Did you know it is possible to tear people down by the
misuse of the Bible just like the Corinthians did with the gifts?

In verses 11-13, Paul causes them to reason in light of this information. It is time to stop
acting like a child and grow up. Stop being like little kids bragging about who has the best toys
and grow up in Christ. There will be a transition in the future from spiritual gifts to written word.
What they see in part now will be fully known later with the whole word. Only three things will
carry through this transition, “faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

e. Application
Brothers and sisters, whatever temporary hang-ups we have, deal with them in love.
Whatever temporary struggles we are going through with each other, let the love of Christ endure
it to the end. Whatever is bothering you, don’t forsake what is greatest, the love of God in Christ
Jesus. Let go and let God!

4) Exegetical Sermon
a. What is an Exegetical Sermon?
The exegetical sermon refers to the technique known as exegesis. Exegesis is the process
of tearing apart a small section of verse or few verses in the same one takes apart an engine. One
will look at individual words in the Greek, the sentence structure and deep context. The goal is to
see how it works by taking a deep look of examination.

b. What are the pros and cons of an exegetical sermon?

The positives of exegetical sermons are that they provide a deep intensive study of God’s
word and can lead to discovery of hidden meanings. The negative side of exegetical studies is
that often it can go over people’s heads and lead to overkill.

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c. What types of people enjoy Exegetical Sermons?

i. Those who like to debate the finer points of doctrine.
ii. Those who enjoy deep personal study of God’s word.
If someone is not a confrontational person or a diligent studier, they will not appreciate
this type of lesson.

d. Example of Exegetical Sermon

The passage of John 21:15-18 is relevant when discussing this type of sermon. There are
four primary Greek words in the New Testament for love. Two of them are found in this text.
This first one is philia and refers to a deep love for a dear friend. The other is agape and refers to
an unconquerable love with invincible goodwill and commitment. This is the love which Jesus
primarily refers to in the text. It is a love that operates without regard to feelings.

Let us look at these two loves as used in the context of scripture. In John 21:15, Jesus
asked Peter if he loves (agape) Him. “Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus was using the word agape, do you
really have a committed love toward Me? Peter’s response used philia, “You know I love you as
my dearest friend.” What did Jesus say in response? “Tend My lambs.” He was telling Peter to
have a commitment of love for the others.

The second time, Jesus asked Peter the same thing, verse 16, “Simon, son of John, do you
love (agape) me?" Peter responded, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love (philia: a deep friendship
philia love) you." Jesus again told him to "Shepherd My sheep." Twice we find Jesus trying to
connect the standards of commitment to both.

In the third question, Jesus asked in verse 17, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love (philia)
me?" He came down to Peter’s level and used his word. Peter responded the same "Lord, you
know all things; you know that I love you.” Just when Peter thought Jesus had softened, the Lord
said, “Tend My sheep.”

In summary, Jesus was saying you cannot separate calling me a friend if you fail to take
care of the sheep. Both types of love now share a common bond. If you want Jesus to be your
best friend, your loving friend, feed His sheep.

e. Application
Who are the sheep? They are those that would come after; they are the Church. Let me
ask an all-important question, how has the shepherding been going? Have we been guilty of
throwing a few stones at the sheep as the graze? Do we talk about the flock behind their back?
Do we secretly try to lead them to the butcher instead of the green pastures? Take a long look at
the flock and ask yourself “What have I been doing that is flock-worthy?” We should never call
ourselves Jesus’ buddy if you haven’t been taking care of the flock.

There you have it, the four primary sermon styles for reaching the four primary groups of
people, Narrative, Topical, Expository and Exegetical. How does one preach to such a variance
of personalities? We can do it by the spiritual food we serve on a regular basis.

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Overall Application:
Having covered four different types of sermons, I hope you have seen the overall
application of this lesson. The first lesson discussed a deep love which can exist between people.
The second lesson covered the depth of love which needs to exist for all mankind. The third
lesson covered the love which must exist among the church. The fourth lesson instructed us to
have a lay down our life love for the people in our own vicinity. This entire sermon was about
unconditional love for those who are close and afar. We were saved through the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus to be a people of a deep, sacrificial love for each other and the world. Let
us go and strongly live it every moment of every day!