Biblical Preaching: Haddon Robinson

Title: Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages

Author: Haddon Robinson

Published: 1980

Pages: 244

How much do you think your church would benefit if the quality of all the sermons increased by 20, 50, or even 100 per cent?

If the typical (not just occasional) sermon at your assembly were compelling, keenly relevant, and practically unforgettable, do you think that would send ripple effects throughout your church? Would more lives be changed? Would God be more glorified and made known?

Earlier this year, one of the elders of my assembly gave me a copy of Haddon Robinson’s book Biblical Preaching. Considered a classic on the subject, this book has sold more than 300,000 copies and garnered scores of 5-star reviews.

And deservedly so.

If the typical (not just occasional) sermon at your assembly were practically unforgettable, do you think more lives would be changed?

Biblical Preaching is a terrific read. If you preach at your assembly, or sometimes lead faith-related discussions, or speak up in your church’s open sharing times, or even just like public speaking and/or want to cultivate a greater appreciation for what makes certain messages resonate, then reading Robinson’s book would be a valuable investment. 

As the elder who gave me the book wrote on its inside cover: “It is exceptional — a worthwhile read for sure.”

Structuring sermons

From the get-go, Robinson reminds readers of the whole point of preaching. “Something fills us with awe when God confronts individuals through preaching and seizes them by the soul” (p. 4). That is the goal. To allow the Spirit to speak through us so that, through the message, people encounter God.

When you read Biblical Preaching, you’ll probably notice at least two or three solid points in each chapter that sharpen or challenge your perception of how to preach well. 

For instance, in chapter two, Robinson proposes that each sermon should have a single main idea. “Effective communication demands a single theme,” he says (p. 17). “The sermons of the apostles were without exception the proclamation of a single idea directed toward a particular audience” (p. 19). 

How many times have we touched on 4-5 different scattershot ideas, rather than driving home one major point?

Next, in chapters three through eight, Robinson lays out the 10 main stages of sermon preparation, to be done in this order:

1. Choose the passage to be preached
2. Study your passage and gather your notes
3. Relate the passage’s parts to determine the main exegetical idea and its development
4. Ask of your idea: “What does this mean?”, “Is is true?”, “What difference does it make?”
5. State your idea in the most exact, memorable sentence possible
6. Determine your sermon’s purpose
7. Ask yourself how the idea should be handled to accomplish your purpose
8. Once you know how the idea should be developed, outline your sermon
9. Fill in your outline with supporting materials that explain, prove, apply your points
10. Prepare the sermon’s introduction and conclusion

The goal of preaching is to allow the Spirit to speak through us so that, through the message, people encounter God

Food for thought

Here are a few other especially intriguing quotes I highlighted in the book — great food for thought:

• “Some publishers believe that readers buy books on the strength of the opening paragraph” (p. 120) — don’t forget the power of a fascinating introduction!
• “If Protestantism is found dead, the sermon will be the dagger in her heart” (p. 146)
• “A sermon ineptly delivered arrives stillborn” (p. 149) — your message may have great content, but don’t forget to master the delivery as best you can
• “Our actions [i.e. nonverbal communication, gestures, etc.] may often be more expressive than our words” (p. 151)

In summary, if you are at all involved in preaching, you should grab a copy of Biblical Preaching. Rest assured, it would be money well-spent.

I would absolutely love it if the quality of our churches’ sermons soared upward. If every time we taught the Word, shared a thought from Scripture, or spoke about our faith publicly, we incorporated even half the good sense and tips found in Robinson’s book, I strongly believe our churches would be exponentially blessed.

I’ll close with this definition of expository preaching from p. 5 of Robinson’s book — it’s a terrific standard to keep in mind and aspire to!

“Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers.”