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Ten Preaching Mistakes To Avoid

I sometimes feel awkward giving preachers advice on preaching. We all have our individual style and preaching habits, after all. But since I’m a Senior Pastor who preaches many times a year, hear me out. I have much to say about preaching. There are many opinions always floating about in my head. Not all of them are correct, I am sure. But I have done much preaching over the years. I have preached around 7,000 sermons in hundreds of churches in America and other nations. Thus, I am not speaking as a nocive but as a seasoned preacher. Maybe I am wrong, but I think I have learned a few things along the way.

Over the years, I’ve listened to hundreds of messages, some from great preachers and some from not-so-great. Thanks, Facebook Live! Over the years, I’ve noticed what I believe are some vast mistakes many pastors are making.

In this episode, I talk about ten preaching mistakes you should avoid.

1. The preacher voice.
2. Preaching from a Bible, people can’t understand.
3. Preaching on un-relatable topics.
4. Having too many points.
5. Preaching too long.
6. Not being prepared.
7. Not being real.
8. Not explaining the why.
9. Not sharing personal stories.
10. Not challenging people to take the next steps.

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In this episode, we will discuss AI and ChatGTP and whether or not they can or should be used in pastoral ministry. The answer is both yes and no. Listen to the episode and let me know what you think.

Below is an expository outline from ChatGTP that you might find interesting.

Prompt: Write an alliterated expository sermon from Numbers 21:1-9 using references from the King James Version

Response: In Numbers 21:1-9, we read about the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their encounter with fiery serpents. The passage teaches us about the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance. Let us examine this story through an alliterated expository sermon.

First, we see the Israelites' Rebellion. They spoke against God and Moses, complaining about their circumstances and the lack of food and water. Their grumbling reflected their lack of faith and trust in God. We, too, may face difficult situations, but we must resist the temptation to rebel against God and instead trust His plan.

Second, we see the Repentance of the Israelites. After being bitten by the fiery serpents, the Israelites realized the error of their ways and repented. They came to Moses, confessing their sin and asking for his intercession. When we sin, we must repent and turn back to God. He is always willing to forgive and restore us to a right relationship with Him.

Third, we see the Remedy for the Israelites' affliction. God instructed Moses to put a brass serpent on a pole. Anyone bitten by a serpent could look upon the brass serpent and live. This was a foreshadowing of Christ, who would be lifted up on the cross to provide a remedy for our sins. We, too, can look to Christ and find healing and salvation.

In conclusion, the story of the Israelites and the fiery serpents teaches us about the consequences of sin, the importance of repentance, and the remedy provided by Christ. Let us learn from their mistakes and turn to God in faith and trust.

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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Every preacher needs to be able to preach without notes on some occasions.

It is not a freakish skill that only some possess or a unique style that only some need to cultivate. It is something every preacher can and sometimes needs to do. In this episode, I suggest ways to cultivate the ability to preach without notes when the situation calls for it. It can be helpful to distinguish between three different modes of preaching without notes.

Impromptu Preaching - Impromptu preaching involves almost no preparation.  Calls to impromptu preaching come through many parts of a pastor’s life.

Impromptu preaching can be strengthened, primarily through attention to the four rules of thumb. 

Say one thing.
Play your riffs.
Don’t be afraid to pause.
Know how you will end. 

Extemporaneous Preaching impromptu preaching happens with little warning; extemporaneous preaching allows for some focused time for preparation. Extemporaneous preaching involves working from an outline. Some preachers make extemporaneous preaching their usual style. Others use it for services when they do not have as much time to prepare as they might like. Whatever the occasion, these rules of thumb can guide the preparation of an excellent extemporaneous sermon:
Craft a strong, clear structure for the sermon.
Talk your way to the sermon.
Work out the beginning and the ending of the sermon in more detail. 

Internalized Manuscript - Like an extemporaneous sermon, a sermon from what I will call an internalized manuscript is composed through a mixture of speaking and writing. Preaching in this style requires extensive time for preparation. It involves writing out a complete sermon manuscript, digesting it deeply, and then setting aside the manuscript to preach the sermon without notes of any kind. Digesting a manuscript is different than memorizing it word-for-word. Digestion requires internalizing a manuscript’s sense, form, and key phrases and then bringing that internalized manuscript to life in speech.
Craft a strong, clear, and simple structure.
Write the manuscript out.
Use typographical devices
Memorize these marked lines.
Learn the sermon by speaking the sermon.
Revise as you speak.
Work back and forth between big pictures and close-ups.
Prepare in a tranquil, focused way right before the sermon.
Preach the sermon; don’t recite it. 

All this is fleshed out in the episode.

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In this episode, I discuss the church's Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary issues. We are going to see what matters when it comes to our preaching and our belief system.

One of the problems in the church is our inability to distinguish between what matters and what doesn't in our preaching. As a result, some preachers spend most of their time preaching on third-level (tertiary) issues about which the Bible is silent. What should they be doing instead? They should focus most of their time and attention on the primary doctrinal issues of the faith. The secondary issues I will mention are important and will come up in our preaching. Still, they should never overshadow the preaching of the primary doctrines of the Bible.

I know you will disagree with some of my conclusions. It might even be that this episode will clear up some confusion you harbor regarding what should and shouldn't be preached. No matter how you fall on these issues, I would love to hear from you. Reach out and let me know what you think.

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In this episode, I begin discussing issues often disputed in the church. Today, I deal with 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and Romans 14 regarding how we should treat one another and what is and isn't involved in our call to preach. 

This is a topic that lies heavy on my heart. I see so many people being hurt by those who seek to lay the burden of modern Phariseeism and human piety on the backs of others. And I see some who believe they can exercise their liberty in Christ without regard for who it wounds. These people believe they can do whatever they think is right and dare anyone to say anything about what they choose to do.

I submit that both viewpoints are wrong and do not glorify God.

Listen to the episode and let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you.

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In this episode, we offer tne tips for preachers as they prepare their sermons. If nothing else, these are simple reminders that preaching is bigger than we know and more straightforward than we believe. 

• Here are the points I  elaborate on in the episode.
• Hermeneutics come first. 
• Christ-centered preaching is Christian preaching. 
• The correct doctrine prevents wrong application. 
• Preaching is a pastoral activity. 
• Humility is critical.
• Novelty is a potential enemy. 
• History is your friend. 
• Learning is your job. 
• Spiritual formation is the point.

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Contact me at [email protected].

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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In this episode, we discuss the Bible. We explore different views of inspiration, all of the false views but one. We will discuss plenary, verbal inspiration. 

Let me know what you think. It would be a blessing to hear from you.

I mention this each week, but if you have ideas for future episodes, let me know. Who knows? I might use them.

Thank you for listening.

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Contact me at [email protected].

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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Six Essential Elements Of Good Preaching

1. Good Preaching Is Exegetical
Great preaching mines the text for all the truth it contains. It allows the Bible to speak for itself. Good preaching takes a text and explains the central truth within the text. Good preaching does not allow opinions, traditions, or relationships to cloud the text’s true meaning. Good preaching reveals the immediate and general context of the text. Good preaching respects the boundaries established by the context. Good preaching exposes and respects the intent of the original author. Good preaching rests upon the grammatical-historical context of the passage.

2. Good Preaching Is Applicational
Good preaching applies the truths within the text to a modern audience in a way that relates to them today. Good preaching bridges the gap between the original Holy Spirit’s intention in inspiring the text and the people who hear it preached now.

3. Good Preaching Is Persuasive
Good preaching calls for action by the preacher and his hearers.

4. Good Preaching Is Christ-exalting
Great preaching must exalt Jesus Christ and have him as its center since he is the center of Scripture. He must have pre-eminence in all things, which applies to preaching no less than anything else! Since the Spirit’s great ministry is to glorify and illuminate Christ, it follows that preaching incredibly blessed by the Spirit will be preaching that exalts Christ.

The camera is meant to be on Jesus but slips to someone or something else. We all feel the pressure from our listeners for ‘practical’ sermons – four things to go away and do. Of course, it’s not that Bible doesn’t apply to us, but I wonder if our emphasis is always in the right place.

5. Good Preaching Is Doxological
If man’s chief goal is to glorify God, surely that must be the goal of every sermon – moving people to worship. A sermon is not a lecture; it’s not about presenting mere information. We want the people of God to encounter God in preaching as his word goes forth. J.I. Packer once wrote: ‘The proper aim of preaching is to mediate meetings with God.’

6. Good Preaching Is Faithful 
Good preaching sets forth God’s word on its terms as clearly as possible The great preaching I have heard always comes from men who are convinced that the Word of God is already powerful and that we don’t need to dress it up with gimmicks or gadgets to make it effective. It comes from the mouth of the infinitely glorious, intelligent, wise God.

These are the elements of good preaching. Ignore them, and your preaching will never be good. Implement them, and all your preaching will be good. 

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1.  Passion —  Passion doesn’t mean that you have to rant and rave, but it does mean that you should show some conviction about what you’re preaching. There is a flaw in my nature: I don’t keep listening if I’m not interested in the communicator in the first 5 minutes.
2.  Prayer — I didn’t include this because I was supposed to, but because it is the lifeblood of our sermon preparation.  As pastors, we can easily forget to pray.  Prayer can quickly become something we do instead of part of who we are.  Prayer needs to be at the forefront of our sermon preparation.  If God’s Word is the source of our preaching, then God should be the source that we seek to lead us.
3.  Planning — Regarding sermon writing, some pastors must stop claiming that their laziness is God’s Spirit at work.  Sometimes God throws a curve ball, and you must change your sermon last minute. Planning honors God, and God honors planning. The next time you have a Sunday where you’re not preaching, spend time that week acting as if you were and write a sermon for the following Sunday.  Your sermon is already done the following week, or at least the nuts and bolts of it, and you can work on the following Sunday.  All of a sudden, you are two Sundays ahead in sermon prep.  Being ahead in my sermon planning has been my greatest liberator in sermon preparation.
4.  People — Any sermon that is not focused on the needs of the people is not worth preaching. It’s only when I focus on the needs of the people that I preach anything worth listening to.  If I preach what I feel and not what the people need, I may as well be preaching to an empty room.
5. Purpose — What do you want people to do with your message?  If there is no next step for the people to take, then what was the point of preaching the message in the first place?  You must have a clearly defined message purpose.  When you’re done, what do you want people to walk away and do?  Don’t overthink it.  Finding purpose in a sermon doesn’t have to be painful for you. It just needs to be practical for them.
6.  Precision —  This is where much of the hard work pays off.  When you deliver a sermon, why have the text to begin with if you are not faithful to the text?  There is room for interpretation on some things in Scripture that maybe you or I should agree on, but we need to be precise in dividing God’s Word.  I better preach this passage God has laid before us precisely.  I want to do my best every week to rightly divide God’s Word to His people.
7.  Power —  This is the one I have no control over.  This is the part that I cannot generate and cannot manipulate.  This is the part that I beg God for every single week. “Lord, send YOUR power!” 

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The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)

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This week we talk about Planning Your Preaching. In this episode, we discuss planning a preaching calendar.  We will cover the following material. 

Why Should You Plan Your Preaching?

• A Plan Helps You Prepare Better and Faster
• A Plan Helps Others Prepare Better
• A Plan Allows for Greater Leadership of the Holy Spirit

How do I start? Here are six "gets" pointing you in the right direction.

• Get in the Word
• Get Guidance
• Get Time
• Get Together
• Get Excited
• Get At It

But start easy. At first, don't plan a whole year. Plan two or three months, then move up to six months, and then longer. Expect some setbacks; some things will work differently than you planned. Sometimes we get ahead of the Lord and must make corrections. Creating and using a preaching plan will save you time in the long run. You will preach more of the Bible, and your people will appreciate it.

I mentioned a book by Stephen Rummage. Here is the link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Planning-Your-Preaching-Step-Step/dp/0825436486/ref=asc_df_0825436486?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608063550957&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207590434709&psc=1

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Subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review, and tell others about us if you find it helpful.

Contact me at [email protected].

The podcast is a ministry of Dr. Alan Carr and The Sermon Notebook (http://www.sermonnotebook.org)