Topical sermon is a post that explains how to write a topical sermon and a post that provides an example of a topical sermon.
How To Write A Topical Sermon
Topical sermons are usually developed from a topic that comes from a passage or passages of Scripture. For example, you want to prepare and present a topical sermon on spiritual warfare.
Sermon Topic or Main Preaching Point
You may develop the sermon topic Winning the Spiritual Battles In Life. This sermon topic “Winning Spiritual Battles In Life” becomes the main preaching point. Every sub-point you present will expand and explain the main preaching point of the sermon.
Sermon Sub-points
The Bible tells you that winning spiritual battles in life involves realizing that you have three enemies, two battle fronts and two weapons.
Therefore, you may develop these into three sermon sub-points.
- Realizing that we have three enemies
- Realizing that we have two battle fronts
- Realizing that we have two weapons
You now have a sermon topic or main preaching point and sermon sub-points. But how do you LINK the sermon topic with the sermon sub-points?
Key Word or Hinge Word
Linking a sermon topic with sermon sub-points requires a KEY word or HINGE word. The key word or hinge word must be a PLURAL noun. For example, to link the topic “Winning The Spiritual Battles In Life” requires the key word or hinge word INSIGHTS or something similar. Therefore, your topical sermon would be as follows.
There are three INSIGHTS into winning the spiritual battles in life. The first insight involves realizing that we have three enemies. The second insight involves realizing that we have two battle fronts and the third insight involves realizing that we have two weapons.
Your topical sermon is now taking shape. You have linked your main preaching point with your sermon sub-points.
Your topical sermon outline would look something like this:
There are three INSIGHTS into winning the spiritual battles in life. They involve …
- Realizing that we have three enemies
- The devil (1 Peter 5:8)
- The world (1 John 2:15-17)
- The Flesh or the sin nature (1 Peter 2:11)
- Realizing that we have two battle fronts
- Personal holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16)
- Personal witness (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Realizing that we have two weapons
- The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11, 13)
- The Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
Once you have linked your main preaching point with your sermon sub-points, you will need to expand and explain your sub-points. As you can see, the body of your sermon (your sermon outline) is complete. You now have a sermon outline you can preach to your congregation.
Of course, you will need to expand and explain your sermon outline with sermon content and appropriate illustrations.
For more articles on how to write a sermon or a sermon outline, click on Sermon Articles.
Putting The Topical Sermon Together
Now that the body of your topical sermon is complete, you will need to write an introduction and a conclusion. The introduction must introduce the main preaching point and the conclusion must conclude the topical sermon and reinforce the main preaching point.
A dynamic topical sermon must have a powerful introduction, an interesting body, and an unforgettable conclusion. Do these three parts well and you will prepare and preach powerful sermons to your congregation.
Resources For Topical Sermon
Haddon W. Robinson, Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages
Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon
Charles W. Koller, How To Preach Without Notes
James Braga, How To Prepare Bible Messages
Eugene Lowry, The Sermon: Dancing The Edge of Mystery
David Buttrick, Homiletic Moves and Structures
Steven D. Mathewson, The Art of Teaching Old Testament Narrative
Eugene Lowry, The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon as Narrative Art Form