PREACHING in 2025
Oklahoma Outlook
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Upcoming EVENTS
February
OSOM – Locations 1,2,3 February 1
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 11 (AM) February 3
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 12 (PM) February 3
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 7 (AM) February 4
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 10 (PM) February 4
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 9N (AM) February 6
OSOM – Locations 4,5 February 8
Hispanic School of Ministry, McAlester February 8
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 5E (AM) February 10
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 4 (PM) February 10
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 9S (AM) February 11
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 6 (PM) February 11
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 3 (AM) February 13
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 2 (PM) February 13
NextGen Conference February 21-22
Hispanic Training for Church Leaders-Tulsa February 22
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 1 (AM) February 24
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 5W (AM) February 25
OKAG Sectional Tour: Section 8 (PM) February 25
March
Fun Arts March 1
OSOM – Locations 1,2,3 March 1
Hispanic Training for Church Leaders-OKC March 1
Network Council Resolutions Submission Deadline March 7
Oklahoma Women of Valor Retreat March 7-8
Hispanic School of Ministry, McAlester March 8
OSOM – Locations 4,5 March 8
Level Up Lunch March 20
Hispanic Men’s Conference March 28-29
April
Fine Arts Festival
OSOM – Locations 1,2,3
OSOM – Locations 4,5
April 4-5
April 5
April 12
Hispanic School of Ministry, McAlester April 12
Better Together Conference & 112th Network Council April 28-29
Women in Leadership Luncheon April 28
Rural Pastor’s Breakfast April 29
Heritage and Elite Ladies Luncheon April 29
May
National Day of Prayer
May 1
OSOM – Locations 1,2,3 May 3
NextGen Prayer Walk May 6
OSOM – Location 4, May 10
Hispanic School of Ministry, McAlester May 10
Youth Camp #1 May 25-28
Youth Camp #2 May 28-May 31
All Dates, Locations, and announced speakers are subject to change. For a complete list of upcoming events, visit okag.org/events.
Networking TOGETHER to better share the love of JESUS with the least, last, and lost.
with PREACHING
PURPOSE
Dr. Darryl Wootton
Growing up, my family always took me to church. My mother was a public school art teacher, and my father was a public school business teacher. They regularly lectured their students on these subjects. On the weekends, we went to Sunday school and church. In Sunday school, a faithful leader would “teach” stories about God’s love in a quiet method. In our worship services, a faithful leader would “preach” about God’s love very loudly.
In my childhood years, my perception of teaching and preaching was that teaching is quiet and preaching is loud. The word “preaching” was also used outside of my church circles. Usually, when someone in a nonreligious context said someone was preaching, they were referring to a pompous advocate of a particular secular idea whose goal was to persuade people to accept their vantage point through excessive lecturing and occasional nagging. As a teenager, I felt called to preach. Did that mean I needed to be loud all the time? Did that mean I needed to self-righteously lecture from my soap box until I convinced a lot of people my ideas were right?
I have had the honor of preaching almost weekly for 30 years. Over the years, I have developed my own definition of preaching.
Wootton definition: New Testament preaching is a Biblically-based, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, lifetransforming declaration of the Word of God through a flawed individual.
Webster defines preaching as “a religious discourse delivered in public, usually by a member of the clergy as a part of a worship service or a speech on conduct or duty.”
The Greek words used for preaching in the New Testament are:
• Κηρύσσω (kērussō) – To proclaim or announce with authority.
• Κήρυγμα (kērygma) – The content or message of the proclamation, often referring to the Gospel.
• Εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō) – To announce good news, specifically the Gospel.
• Διδάσκω (didaskō) – To teach or instruct, often closely associated with preaching.
• Προφητεύω (prophēteuō) – To prophesy, proclaiming God’s truth or will.
• Λαλῶ (lalō) – To speak or talk, sometimes used for casual speaking or preaching.
Please allow me to break down my definition of preaching.
Biblically-Based
Preaching must be based on the Word of God or it is just another Ted Talk. The Apostle Paul said, “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). We must not preach our ideas and search for Scripture verses to confirm our thoughts. We must preach the Word and look for personal testimonies that confirm it.
Christ-Centered
I believe all preaching should be Christ-centered. “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). All of the Old Testament looked forward to Jesus. The New Testament revealed Jesus. We must proclaim Jesus. Is your preaching focused on the latest theological nugget you discovered, or the eternal message of the cross of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection? All Scripture points to the Messiah!
Spirit-Empowered
I believe all preaching should be Spirit-empowered. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:4, “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.” The preacher with the best oratory skills and most exquisite homiletic training can accomplish nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit. However, a simple presentation of the Gospel by a simple messenger anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit can change the world.
Life-Transforming
I believe all preaching should be life-transforming. After being empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Simon Peter preached a Biblically based, Christ-centered, and Spirit-Empowered sermon. After his sermon, “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all” (Acts 2:41). Three thousand lives were transformed! Teaching is the giving of information and produces knowledge. Preaching is the presentation of the anointed Word of God and produces life change.
All preachers should strive to be more effective. Perhaps we can learn from athletes who desire to be better in their field of sport. To develop, athletes focus on their training, schedule, practice, film, and finishing.
Focus on Training
All athletes train. This includes proper nutrition and physical fitness. The best athletes master healthy diets and spend much time in the gym working on cardio conditioning and strength training. Preachers must focus on training. Preachers need a healthy personal diet of the Word of God and prayer in their daily lives. Before the Word of God transforms the lives of the preacher’s audience, the Word of God must transform the preacher’s inner life. Carve out daily time with God, not preparing a message, but preparing your heart.
Focus on Schedule
All athletes must focus on their personal schedule. The best athletes master their calendars. They carve out time to prepare, practice, and study their skills. Preachers must focus on schedule. To preach an effective message, sermon preparation is required. Schedule this on your calendar! Carve out a specific time six days a week when you prepare your message. This is not your devotional time. This is your prep time. Place all your devices on “Do Not Disturb.” Go to the same place where you will develop an atmosphere of spiritual productivity. Ask your family and staff to help you protect this time. Lead Pastors can delegate almost every church duty except sermon prep. My staff always knew that I would not do anything else on a Monday until my sermon outline for the upcoming Sunday was at least prepared.
Focus on Practice
Great athletes practice. Can you imagine a major league batter not going to batting practice? Practice does not make perfect; practice makes permanent. Find a way to practice your messages. My wife has endured more than her fair share of half-baked sermons that were not quite finished. She often helps me construct better phrases or eliminate unnecessary paragraphs for clarity. Prayerfully preach through your message to yourself. Find a pet to listen—just practice. Once you have a message written on paper, do not let your Sunday audience be the first ones to hear it. At least let yourself listen to it several times.
Focus on Film
Great athletes watch film. My son has watched countless hours of his team playing basketball. Watching film is one of the hardest things I do as a preacher. We are our own worst critics, but watching film helps! Write down how you do with introductions, grabbing the audience’s attention, vocal dynamics, and gestures. Do you stay on point? Can you eliminate parts of your sermon that are distracting? Listening to the audio of your sermon is good. Watching the video of your sermon is better. Find at least one thing you did well and reward yourself with a Sonic drink after you finish watching. Those who watch film consistently improve their game.
Focus on Finishing
Great athletes leave everything on the court. I have witnessed some sermons that would have been great, but they never landed the plane. They just quit talking! What is the one thing you want your people to do with your message? Have at least one action step at the end and make it clear. If you are not calling people to action and life transformation through Jesus Christ, what are you doing?
When preaching, use a HOOK to get the audience’s attention. This can be a relevant illustration or metaphor. Use the BOOK throughout your message with relevant Scripture. Guide your audience to LOOK at how the Scripture applies to their life. Finally, remember the TOOK. What action step can the audience take away with them following your conclusion?
I pray that your preaching will be Biblically based, Christcentered, Spirit-empowered, and a life-transforming declaration of the Word of God. You are a flawed individual. So am I. To improve, focus on training, schedule, practice, watch film, and plan your finish. Preaching is important. Let’s all strive to improve and even encourage each other. We are truly “Better Together.”
Dr. Darryl Wootton is a follower of Christ, a husband to Faith, and a Dad to Lindsay, Isaac, and Emery. He serves as the Superintendent and Network Pastor for the Oklahoma Assemblies of God. Darryl’s purpose statement is “encouraging others to get to the place God already prepared for them.” He is passionate about sharing the love, joy, and peace of Jesus Christ with the least, last, and lost
SPIRIT-LED
SPIRIT-INSPIRED PREACHING
Craig Dacus
I was 23, married to my high school sweetheart, the young father of three beautiful little girls, and a successful business owner, when God tapped me on the shoulder and gently asked, “Will you preach my Word?” I’ll be honest; I never saw that coming, but how many are thankful God sees everything from our beginning to our end?
Proverbs 5:21 (ESV) — For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.
That Sunday evening at the altar of the Lord, Vicki and I said, “Yes, Lord, we are yours!” The immediate problem came after I was asked to preach in our home church, for I was clueless about preparing a message. After all, my grandpa was a farmer, my dad was a mechanic, and I was a welder by trade. There were no men of the cloth in our family tree, just a few broken limbs and a handful of nuts!
So, what to do now?
Our home church pulpit had only ever been filled with passionate men of God declaring the uncompromising Word of the Lord. The pulpit seemed to be the centerpiece and priority of every worship service on the church
calendar. I was overwhelmed and intimidated to think that this divine mantle of declaring, “Thus saith the Lord,” would soon be mine to shoulder.
I remember like it was yesterday, on my way home from another day under the welding hood, worried about a looming date just a week away from my first time behind a pulpit. That day 40 years ago, I pulled up behind an old truck at a traffic light in Lawton, OK, and noticed a tattered bumper sticker on his rusty bumper. It read, “Copenhagen Satisfies.” Immediately, the Holy Spirit whispered, “No, only Jesus satisfies!” It was like God had tattooed this kingdom truth on my heart! Looking back, I believe that moment was a “Spirit-Led, Spirit-Inspired” directive for this young, inexperienced rookie.
The title of my first message was “Only Jesus Satisfies!” My first text that upcoming Sunday evening read like this: Psalm 103:1–5 (ESV) — Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”
As I stumbled through my first sermon, I noticed a middle-aged woman sitting halfway back on the aisle, staring at me through moist eyes as tears cascaded down her cheeks. At that moment, heaven gently nudged me and said, “Son, this is the power of a Holy Spirit-inspired Word from God!”
Oh, “The Power of a Tear,” the expression of a soul stirred, a heart moved, and a life transformed!
I have never forgotten that scene, that story, and its impact on the human heart through Spirit-led, Spirit-inspired preaching. I still believe the human need is lodged deep within the heart and can only be dislodged by the Holy Spirit’s prodding.
Zechariah 4:6 (NLT) — It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
I know there are multiple approaches to sermon prep, which I’m sure are all legitimate and credible. I’m also sure there are multiple approaches to sermon presentation, which I’m sure are equally legitimate and credible. What I also know is that if our preparations and presentations are only delivered by human intellect, not by heartfelt, soul-stirring divine inspiration, then they are only an exercise in futility!
The Apostle Paul penned in 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (ESV) –Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Remember that the Holy Spirit’s anointing puts the power in the preach!
Jesus declared of Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Hence, it is impossible to truly preach the Gospel, proclaim the good news, set captives at liberty, give sight to the spiritually blind, and open prison doors without the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit! We don’t need more pomp and presentable pulpiteers; we need more fire-breathing, soul-stirring, heaven-sent preachers declaring the “Unsearchable Riches of His Grace!”
The only hope for this world is “Kingdom Truth on Fire!” We need fewer intellectual studies and more closets of prayer. We need fewer clocks on the wall and more “Tarrying until walls fall!” We need fewer consultants and more spiritual combatants!
In Acts 1:8 (NLT), Jesus promised, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
It’s interesting to me that before Jesus preached his first message, gave his first altar call, or performed his first miracle, he was filled with the precious Holy Spirit!
Matthew 3:13–17 (NLT) — Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So, John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
My point is this: If Jesus needed the Spirit of God descending and settling on him to do the work of the ministry, how much more do we, as believers, need that same open heaven, that same Spirit settling, that same power-enduing experience to accomplish our ministry mandate? May we hear that exact reflection of our Heavenly Father, “This is my son, my daughter, chosen and marked by my love, the delight of my life.” (MSG)
Please don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. As the Apostle Paul instructed, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“ (2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV))
We must ask ourselves, “Is explaining the word of truth more mental than spiritual? More taught than caught? More off the shelf than deeply stirring the soul? The old prophet Jeremiah cried out in his day: “But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:9 (NLT)
I earnestly pray, “Oh God, fan the flames you once ignited in our hearts and souls. May the fire of desire again burn on our soul’s altar!”
Almost 100 years ago in England, a Methodist leader in college president named Samuel Chadwick penned these powerful words:
“The work of God is not by the might of men, or by the power of men, but by the Spirit of God! It is by Him the truth convicts and converts, sanctifies and saves. The philosophies of men fail, but the word of God in the demonstration of the Spirit prevails. Our wants are many, and our faults are innumerable, but they are all comprehended in our lack of the Holy Ghost. We want nothing but fire! For the resources of the church are in the supply of the Spirit. Everything you need is found in the Spirit. He’s the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of wisdom,
and the Spirit of understanding. He’s creative, he’s convicting, and he’s compassionate.”
Chadwick continues:
“The Christian religion is hopeless without the Holy Ghost, and to that I would add, ministry is especially hopeless without the Holy Spirit. Let every pastor take note, our attempt at ministry will be an absolute exercise in futility, if we are not expecting and experiencing divine help through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not enough to teach and preach about the Spirit, but we must experience Him personally in new depths, or we will accomplish little. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no quickening of scripture, worship is hollow, preaching is mechanical never piercing the heart, conviction of sin is almost nonexistent, faith is more mental than heartfelt, church becomes routine, and our people stay lukewarm at best,”
Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “Without the Spirit of God, the fire of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind, chariots without steeds, branches without sap, withering. Yes, we are like coals without fire, divinely useless!”
My heart’s cry for our fellowship echoes Samuel Chadwick’s, “We want nothing but fire!” I know as ministers of the Gospel, we love our never-ending series, our topical thoughts of Biblical truth, and our exhaustive verse by verse commentary; but in our professional pursuit of preaching or pulpiteering, may we never find ourselves compromised in our personal comfort and ease, but may we always be driven by a Kingdom cause, a higher calling, a truth on fire! May we always be “Spirit-Led and Spirit-Inspired” in our declaring the wonderful words of life, the Gospel!
P.S. I still drive around looking for good sermon material printed on tattered bumper stickers and housed on rusty bumpers.
Craig Dacus and his wife, Vicki, have been pastors of Bethesda Church in Oklahoma City for over 31 years. Craig has also served as the OKAG Assistant Superintendent since 2006.
SERMON
The Power of ILLUSTRATIONS
Dr. Jamie Austin
Having grown up in a great church, receiving years of education and training at both Bible college and seminary, and ministering for nearly three decades in the local church, I can safely say I’ve had the opportunity to listen to more than a few sermons. I can still hear the voices of incredible men and women, pastors and teachers, who have poured into my life.
Growing up at Woodlake Assembly of God in Tulsa, I had Pastor Armon Newburn, Pastor H.A. Brummett, and the most amazing youth pastor, Dave Mewbourne. To this day, I can remember powerful sermons that challenged and changed me as the pastors delivered the Word of God with skill and supernatural anointing.
As I reflect over the years, I remember the countless sermon illustrations I have seen and used. We have all employed vivid stories—personal, fictional, or historical—that help the congregation connect mentally and emotionally to the message. A physical object such as a suit of armor can help people visualize the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18, while a hunter’s wind indicator can illustrate the wind of the Holy Spirit (John 3:8). I can also think of sermon illustrations that I am embarrassed to tell you about, ones that have evoked cautionary rebukes from both my wife and the insurance company.
We all know there is no substitute for the Bible; anyone with a desire to preach, teach, and disciple must possess the ability to clearly and correctly handle the truth of Scripture (2 Tim 3:16; Heb 4:12). The messages that stand out the most to me were anchored in the correct interpretation of Scripture while utilizing clever and creative illustrations—some of them quite simple—that enabled me to grasp the Biblical truth and helped make crucial personal applications. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon emphasized the importance of illustrations, saying, “You may build up laborious definitions and explanations and yet leave your hearers in the dark as to your meaning; but a thoroughly suitable metaphor [illustration] will wonderfully clear the sense.” From storytelling to object lessons, a well-crafted video or comical sketch, illustrations have the ability to relate to a wide range of listeners on multiple levels.
1. Sermon illustrations capture and re-capture the attention of the congregation.
We all have limited attention spans. Research shows that the average human attention span is only 8.25 seconds. Yes, this is less than the attention span of a goldfish (9 seconds). A well-crafted sermon illustration allows the preacher to “set the hook” to capture the audience’s attention and, when necessary, “reel them back in.”
2. They allow for a mental change of pace. Several years ago, I asked a consultant to listen to a series of my sermons and provide some feedback. Among other critiques, the consultant noted that I was “too intense for too long.” He suggested that I think of the sermon and
the congregation like a vehicle engine: “You can’t keep them at that high of an RPM the entire time.” I needed to let off the gas and let people catch up. Dan Akin explains how illustrations remedy this problem: “The mind naturally shifts gears when listening to a story. The need for intense concentration is lessened, and listeners are allowed to catch their listening breath.”
3. They help us connect in multiple ways. Not everyone engages with a sermon in the same way. Every time a minister steps into a teaching or preaching role, they must remember their audience is made up of
differing personalities and learning types. Some people are visual learners (watching/seeing) or auditory learners (listening); others learn by doing (kinesthetic learners) or by engaging interpersonally (group learning). One must also account for cultural differences, gender differences, class differences, and age differences, as well as differing levels of biblical maturity. We could easily and unintentionally alienate a substantial portion of the audience if we fail to communicate in a way that enables them to truly grasp what we are trying to say. A long-time mentor, Dr. Keven Norwood, challenged me to think of a message like a swimming pool. Most pools have a shallow end, middle section, and deep end; a good sermon has all three. A solid illustration can help people dive deeply into what you want to convey.
Three things to remember when it comes to sermon illustrations:
1. Simple illustrations stick.
Not every illustration needs an elaborate production. A lack of resources should never be an excuse not to use illustrations. Using a picture, an object, or an example from everyday life acts like an on ramp for people to merge onto the message at a comfortable speed. Even simple illustrations drawn from mundane activities can help them keep up with your message. For example, when my kids were younger, I drove them to school every morning, and our daily drive provided me a wealth of illustrative content—both comical and spiritual—that my church members enjoyed and could relate to.
2. Illustrations can be stolen.
Ok, maybe borrowed is a better word, but the truth is, there is nothing new under the sun. Too often we put a ton of pressure on ourselves to be original. Dean Inge defines originality as “undetected plagiarism.” Some of my favorite illustrations have come from fellow communicators. Most preachers are honored to share content when asked and will happily lend a helping hand. More than once I have reached out to fellow ministers to ask for authorization to use their material. Not only were they flattered, but they have also sent me their notes and provided helpful ideas. To operate with integrity, however, cite your sources, give credit where it is due, and when necessary, ask permission.
3. Illustrations should be used strategically.
One of the biggest mistakes I have made over the years is trying to force an illustration into a message just because I really liked it. When this happens, I usually spend too much valuable preaching time trying to connect the illustration to the message. As communicators, we must remember that the clock is always ticking, and the more time we spend having to explain what we thought was cool could potentially detract from the point we want to make. The quicker the audience can make the connection, the better the concept will land. I would rather save an illustration for later instead of forcing it into a space where it could lose its punch.
When I was a student at Southwestern (SAGU/Nelson), my homiletics professor, Dr. Gaylan Claunch, challenged us to correctly exegete the audience as well as Scripture. In other words, we need to seriously consider those who will be listening to us. This is vital when it comes to using illustrations. Not every illustration will connect with every audience. Preachers and teachers need to recognize the unique characteristics of different people groups. An illustration that works at a youth group in mid-town Tulsa might not land as well at a Bible study for retirees in Gotebo. Try collecting a variety of illustrations that communicate the same idea in different settings.
Jesus best exemplifies this practice. Throughout the Gospels, He uses stories, objects, and even nature itself to explain the Scriptures and what He would ultimately accomplish for us through His death on the cross. In the Greek, the word parable, parabolē (παραβολή), means to “cast or place alongside.” In his book The Parables, Dr. Brad Young notes how effectively Jesus used these illustrations drawn from daily life: “The Jesus of the Synoptic Gospels loves to use miniature plays to communicate his message. The word-picture of the parable creates a drama that redescribes in clear terms the reality being illustrated.” Those who regularly preach and teach the Word of God would do well to hone the craft of illustrative communication to more effectively communicate in a way that helps people hear and apply the message.
Finally, the best illustrations speak to us as communicators. If we don’t “get it,” our audiences won’t either. Authenticity is a valuable commodity in today’s economy. Warren Wiersbe agrees, saying, “Be yourself—your best self—and let the Holy Spirit put the imprint of your life on the message.” As we carefully proclaim the full council of God’s Word, illustrations, especially personal ones, provide a powerful opportunity to be our authentic selves.
Jamie and his wife Jen have pastored Woodlake Church in Tulsa for the last fifteen years. Jamie serves as an executive presbyter and enjoys being a part of the OKAG Network. Jamie and Jen are passionate about reaching people who have not met Jesus yet, building God’s kingdom through local churches, and getting to know the people who call Woodlake Church home.
• Danny Akin, “Sermon Illustrations,” Lifeway Research, https:// research.lifeway.com/2014/02/13/12-reasons-for-using-sermon-ilustrations/#:~:text=Illustrations%20can%20help%20 the%20preacher,natural%20component%20of%20good%20illustrations.
• Ibid.
• “Average Human Attention Span,” Samba Recovery, https:// www.sambarecovery.com/rehab-blog/average-human-attention-span-statistics.
• Akin, “Sermon Illustrations.”
• Warren W. Wiersbe and David Wiersbe, The Elements of Preaching: The Art of Biblical Preaching Clearly and Simply Presented (Logos Research Systems, 1997).
• Robert L. Thomas, New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries, updated ed. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).
• Brad H. Young, The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation (Peabody, MA: Hendricks Publishers, 1998), 3-4.
• Wiersbe and Wiersbe, The Elements of Preaching.
BUILDING
AND WORKING WITHIN A PREACHING CALENDAR
Darren Pilcher
Have you ever been criticized for being too prepared? Many years ago, I was visited by a student in our youth ministry who wanted to talk about the study and preparation of preaching. Her primary reason for meeting regarded the call she was feeling toward full-time ministry. But the way she described her desired approach came as a surprise. She said she wanted to preach with anointing and not with notes like I use. Even though I memorized much of my content, she saw notes or the sign of some preparation as a lack of spirituality. (By the way, I, too, question my level of anointing at times. So I could identify with her feelings!)
Indeed, there is a danger in just studying to deliver information. We can inadvertently miss the boundless need to depend on the Spirit to bring change. We can also be found guilty of planning too much for the future without being sensitive to what God wants to say to the Church. The beauty of study and content development ahead of time, however, is that the Spirit is meant to work in the preacher’s life to help forecast what is needed at the appropriate time within a calendar year. I must add how many times I have heard communicators convey the testimony of something they prepared months in advance to land on a Sunday with impeccable timing. Additionally, we cannot underestimate the Word of God to consistently speak what is needed as it is presented contextually, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are at least two primary reasons to consider what can be called a preaching calendar. God exists outside of time. He knows past, present, and future. Therefore, He can help us anticipate what is needed four months from now based on what someone will face in that particular time frame. Secondly, Jesus commissions us to be good stewards of our calling. Leading the church by leading the team to think and plan ahead will only prepare the
ministry to meet the demands effectively. Also, this gives the speaker time for study, research, and for making notes of real-time illustrations throughout the rhythms of life.
So, what does it look like to approach the months ahead with sermon preparedness? The following are steps to consider in building a preaching calendar and working within its framework.
THEME
The first step for me is identifying an annual churchwide theme. Typically, we as a team talk through those ideas and solidify the following year’s all-church theme in the previous summer. Knowing that we will use that theme to develop sermon series and church merchandise for the following year, there is much thought and prayer. The prayer for the upcoming year goes like this: “Father God, what do you want to say to us within the next year?” Sometimes, it’s a phrase that comes to mind. Other times, it’s just a word. Our previous themes have included “Follow” and “Trust God.” This year’s theme is “Seek.” The first part of the year will carry that theme in all of our preaching. We will also endeavor to communicate that theme as we are walking through a book of the Bible or chapter studies.
SEASON
The next step is recognizing particular seasons. The year is already dotted with regular events and holidays. Considering a calendar year’s seasons helps us potentially speak into those times biblically. When you look at both the theme and season, you are well on your way to preparing months of sermon series, titles, and outlines. We ensure the beginning of the year is marked by vision-casting related to our annual theme. February is traditionally reserved for a global mission emphasis. March and April are both outreach-themed, leading to Easter. This means we will be speaking into engaging others with the Gospel and sensitizing ourselves to the meanings of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Before long, we are into the summer months, which typically carries our annual theme strongly. You get the picture. Seeing the seasons ahead of time is essential to planning a preaching calendar.
VALUES
Our church has seven values that communicate how we carry out our mission. One of those values is Gospel-centered teaching. With that value in mind, we annually develop messages with the Gospel in view. Biblical scholars call it Christology in our preaching. So, we regularly consider how we might find the Gospel in different books of the Bible. Earlier last year, we embarked on a Sunday series entitled “The Gospel According to Ruth.” Because of this key value, we teach throughout the ministries
of our church, modeled in our Sunday preaching, that specifying what the Gospel is and how it shapes our lives is critical to living in daily freedom. Values should help shape what we teach and preach.
TEAM
A team is so necessary when it comes to sermon preparation and planning for the future. My team is fully aware of how impactful their opinions in planning are to me personally. I have them around me to speak up regularly. Almost every time we gather to collaborate, I walk away with reasons to communicate something to our church family in a Sunday message. Whether you have a preaching team or a group of collaborators, do your best to consider their voices and use their thoughts. Also, schedule your communicators to speak throughout the year. I heard someone say that as the lead communicator, you are the lead pastor before you are the lead preacher. The role of the pastor is to ensure their church gets the best content––sound, clear, and practical. When scheduling your in-house speakers, offer these as opportunities to develop them and share the load of the high responsibility of delivering God’s Word.
SPACE
The benefits of space to plan, as well as the space that planning creates, are many. Space is needed to think ahead, pray into, and deliberate over any preaching plan. Every communicator knows the necessity of breaking away to prepare. The same applies to planning for the future. I set aside space to work toward a preaching calendar during the summer and after Christmas. These times seem rhythmic for me and work well in getting ready for the new year. That space looks like a prayer retreat setting. The summer time away is for prayer and writing. This helps me settle into the fall months and well into the first quarter of the new year. The space after Christmas is also used as a season of prayer, to get clarity on the rest of the coming year. Then, I will be ready to sit down with my team and work through what is needed for each sermon series, seasonal events, and special occasions. I have found that God honors certain times when we press pause to think and pray into His Will for the days ahead.
These elements of theme, season, values, team, and space are by no means an exhaustive list. Furthermore, solidifying a preaching calendar does not mean we give no room for interruptions or opportunities to speak up concerning current events, if necessary. For example, after the brutal and catastrophic invasion of Hamas into Israel on October 7, 2023, we felt it necessary to voice a biblical perspective on the Middle East, our support for Israel, and end-time events. We paused our sermon series for three weeks, and dealt with those current events in light of biblical apocalyptic literature. Afterward, we were back into the series for that season. I have
found that our church appreciates prepared sermon series and times when we interject something that wasn’t necessarily planned to follow the continual leading of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis is on our dependence on the leading of God’s Spirit. Spiritual leadership is not spiritual unless God is leading the leader. Conversely, as God leads the leader, He leads the Church, and the congregation grows deeper.
My friend from Bible college days, Dr. Jeff Magruder, wrote an article in an online preaching resource website entitled “You Might Need a Preaching Calendar If.” Among some of his more hyperbolic and humorous reasons, two more serious ones stood out to me. He wrote, “You might need a preaching calendar if you have learned that leading a church in a new direction will require more than just one sermon, and you want to make sure your preaching is providing a well-balanced and nourishing menu to help your people grow spiritually.” In pastoral leadership, we are meant to both lead and feed. Preparation to do both well is stewardship. Leadership as a shepherd is, first and foremost, stewardship. The calling and gift of preaching are meant to be cherished
and shared well. The Chief Shepherd will one day appear with rewards for the service of shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-4). Therefore, we are meant to look forward to that day with sober excitement. Darren is the lead pastor of Spring Creek Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, and an Executive Presbyter for the Oklahoma Assemblies of God. He and his wife Michelle have been married for 30 years and are grateful parents to two adult children.
A UNIVERSAL GOSPEL TO A MULTI-GENERATIONAL
PREACHING AUDIENCE
Bruce McCarty
The privilege of proclaiming God’s Word is incredible. It is also terrifying. The awesome responsibility to speak on God’s behalf should not be taken lightly. It is humbling to note that God has chosen the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:2122). Preaching is a unique endeavor that requires several key aspects to be effective, even in a neutral environment. Transformative preaching will require dependence on the Holy Spirit to anoint and assist our efforts, constant study and understanding of God’s Word, and continually developing communication skills.
The goal of communication is not merely to be heard but to be understood. When you add cultural consideration for differences among the congregation members, a myriad of concerns quickly arise. Age, gender, socio-economic issues, family dynamics, and many other considerations illustrate the diversity that exists in every church. Likewise, there are numerous points of commonality among the congregants. Everyone will experience joy, success, failure, disappointment, sadness, loss, a desire for significance, and countless other such experiences. Fortunately, the Word of God is unique in its ability to speak to the heart of every listener without bias or preference. The message of the gospel is universal. This fact speaks to the heart of the issue: Effectively preaching to people of all ages and various experiences mandates that we preach the Word of God. We must prayerfully and thoughtfully consider how to stay out of the way of the Holy Scripture and make sure we bring light and understanding through our proclamation. Here are seven keys that will keep you on track as you share the unchanging Word of God in a constantly changing world.
Study the Word.
It is imperative that you know the meaning of the scripture writer and avoid inserting your opinion into the text. Knowing the context, observing the keywords, and an in-depth study of the Bible is essential if we are to proclaim its truth. We’ve all heard stories of preachers using scripture out of context; that may have been entertaining, but it was certainly not according to the Word of God. Biblical preaching is essential for spiritual growth. It is important to ask God to anoint your preparation and bless your presentation. Seek the anointing of God for your time of study as much as for your time of speaking.
Preach the Word.
Make sure you are not merely preaching your opinions. Don’t look for verses that validate your opinion, but rather let the words of scripture stand on their own in the context of the original writer. Understanding the context of scripture is critical in preaching a biblical message. People need to hear what God says more than you or I think. The Word of God is powerful. The Word of God is relevant. The Word of God is transformative. The Word of God is timely. This closely ties in with the first point concerning studying God’s Word. You must study it with good tools aided by the Holy Spirit. It is a tragedy and travesty to preach something you haven’t studied.
Be authentic.
People will appreciate your authenticity and sincerity. God made you an original. Be the best version of yourself that is possible. Hone your skills as a communicator. Watch or listen to yourself occasionally to evaluate your effectiveness in reaching all generations. Seek honest feedback from people of different ages to ensure they receive the message. Good communication is clear, concise, comprehensive, and compelling. Learn from everyone in your continual growth journey, but resist the temptation to copy anyone. Illustration and insights from your life are far more effective than sharing someone else’s experience. Resist the temptation to follow the pattern of the latest popular preacher. Be uniquely you.
Be alert to your audience and adapt your style accordingly.
When I was in college, I was asked to speak at a graduation service. I was very excited to speak to students near my age, but I was startled to discover that the event was for a kindergarten graduation. I had to scamper to adjust my presentation. It became much more about the parents than the “graduates.”
I remember one time when a very gifted preacher was preaching for me. He had completely captured the attention of the congregation…until he began to “chase a rabbit.” His sermon was about the importance of dwelling in God’s House, but he unexpectedly veered off onto
the topic of marriage. He was unmarried, and some of his thoughts were slightly off-target. The atmosphere of the service changed from being warm and engaging to near silence in disbelief. The tone of the service became extremely uncomfortable very quickly. He realized he had said some things that were not connecting. He abruptly paused and said, “I don’t think the Lord wanted me to say those last few comments, so I’m going back to the message He gave me for today.” There was immediate laughter and relief as he returned to bring a strong message that challenged those in attendance to seek God. This fit with his personality and probably served as a lesson to stay on topic.
Don’t let your sermon’s packaging overshadow your sermon’s content. There is value in having a good title, excellent illustrations, and several scripture references, but make sure you are more focused on the overall clarity of the message than any one component. The Word of God is the key to spiritual transformation. Don’t be so concerned about connecting with one age group that you lose the attention of everyone else in the process. Preach the universal truths of God’s Word and do it the simplest way possible.
Use technology appropriately. Don’t use a gimmick approach. If you are older, develop awareness and understanding of the use of technology. If you are younger, don’t depend on technology as essential for your presentation.
Stay in touch with current issues.
There is much confusion in our world today, and many proclaim their own version of the truth. It is crucial that preachers of the Gospel are aware of what is happening in today’s world and respond with Biblical authority. Current issues must be addressed from a Biblical perspective. The goal is to always allow God to use us to draw the lost to Him, and allow the Word of God to speak convincingly to the hearts of believers.
Grow in your appreciation for all generations.
Highlight and foster intergenerational connections. Every generation has strengths and deficiencies. Members of the older generation typically are strong in experience and, hopefully, wisdom. Members of the younger generation typically are rich in energy and, hopefully, involvement. As we help each generation to connect with and appreciate other generations, our strength is enhanced. Preach in a way that builds bridges between the different generations rather than walls of separation. If the preacher has a tone of respect and appreciation when talking about different generations, it will encourage respect and appreciation for everyone by everyone in the church.
What a tremendous honor and privilege has been afforded to those who preach the gospel. I pray that you will join me in a continual desire and effort to preach the Word with anointing, skill, alertness, and relevance so that its power will grip those who hear. The journey of a preacher is one of continual growth and improvement. I pray you will be effective in preaching to everyone in your congregation. I pray your congregation will extend themselves to reach all ages and cultures in your community. Building a multi-generational church takes time and commitment. May God grant you abundant success in all your endeavors.
Jude 24–25 (NLT) – Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
Bruce McCarty and his wife Janet have served the congregation at Owasso First Assembly as lead pastors since 2001. He has served the Oklahoma Network as a Sectional and Executive Presbyter since 2003. The McCartys have three adult children, all married, and six grandchildren ranging in age from 13 down to 1. They also serve the illustrious 7-year-old superdoodle named Mabel.
It Comes Up
EVERY WEEK
Phil Taylor
It comes up every week. You studied and prepared well and delivered the message you felt you were to preach Sunday, but now it’s Monday morning, and there it is again: What will I preach next Sunday, Wednesday, or whenever that next weekly sermon is scheduled? For anyone whose ministry includes preaching, the question is there with frightening regularity.
It goes without saying we pray and rely on the direction of the Holy Spirit as to the sermons we prepare and preach, but we’ve all been there, trying to decide what the congregation needs and what we think the Lord is leading us to share. A topical sermon on a Biblical principle or doctrine? A narrative sermon from a Bible story that provides life application? An expository sermon that takes a deeper dive into a specific chapter or book of the Bible? What’s next? What’s best?
Depending on the source you consult or who taught your homiletic class, various ways exist to categorize sermon styles. Let’s make it simple and talk about three general styles: topical, narrative, and expository (besides, those were the three I was asked to write about). I don’t think there are right or wrong styles of sermons. Think of the styles as three tools a preacher can use to deliver a biblical message. The correct sermon style is the one that best delivers the message to a particular group of people at a particular moment in time. Each style can be effective as long as it remains focused on our assignment of proclaiming and testifying of the good news of Christ and His Kingdom.
The Apostle Paul speaks of that preaching assignment. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
While Paul gives us instruction elsewhere to study to show ourselves approved unto God, to handle the Word of God carefully, he is reminding us that preaching is not so much about our eloquence or style, but rather 1) proclaiming a clear message about God and his Word, 2) sharing a clear testimony about Jesus and His life-changing power we’ve personally witnessed, and 3) with a demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power, confirming the preaching with signs following. Whether topical, narrative, or expository, our sermons must point the listener to Jesus and make Him known, relying on the work of the Holy Spirit. This is Pentecostal preaching!
TOPICAL PREACHING
Topical preaching is just what it sounds like: pulling verses from the whole of Scripture to explore a particular topic. Topical preaching allows the pastor to give a biblical view and perspective to issues pertinent to the church’s life and to the listeners’ spiritual growth. Topical sermons lend themselves to a preaching series. What does the Bible say about hope, suffering, marriage, singleness, faith, gossip, sexuality, worry, work, giving, etc.? The list can go on and on, but you get the idea. The Bible has more than enough to say to provide us with instructions for navigating life’s issues.
While topical preaching allows a pastor to respond to immediate circumstances in the life of the church or the community, the pastor should guard against using the sermon to serve a private agenda. Instead, the sermon must remain the proclamation of the whole counsel of God. This is why the sermon should provide several Biblical passages that show an overview of Scripture rather than selecting a single verse from which to make a point.
Topical preaching can and should be exegetical. One concern of preaching only topical sermons is the risk of presenting the Bible as a disconnected book of promises. Just pulling out verses to build a sermon without context can be theologically perilous. Be sure to look at the context of the surrounding Scripture and help the listener see the big picture of Scripture, the cohesive message of God’s redemption plan and purpose.
typically takes a Bible story and allows the preacher and the listener to walk together through the Biblical narrative, connecting the events and the important truths found in the story. Through narrative preaching, we can help the listeners find themselves in the Biblical story, and examine how they might respond in those or similar circumstances.
One of the advantages of narrative preaching is its ability to connect with the listener. Bible stories are easier to remember and relate to. By finding themselves in the story,
NARRATIVE PREACHING
The Oxford Online Dictionary defines narrative as “a spoken or written account of connected events.” I like that notion of “connected events.” Narrative preaching
the listener can make a stronger connection to the Bible and Jesus. Consequently, as it has often been said, it’s important to “exegete the text” and “exegete the audience.” Know the scriptural text, drawing upon its meaning and context, but also know the audience, drawing on the context of the listener: What is the demographic, the pressing issues and circumstances of the listeners? Know
the audience so the narrative can mesh the truth of the Scripture with the realities and needs of the congregation.
The Holy Spirit inspired and spoke through writers and storytellers to communicate the message of redemption to us. The stories of the Bible reveal theological truth, the nature of God, and his good plans for us. Narrative preaching allows us to explore those truths in the meaning and purpose of the story. Everyone loves a good story, and a well-executed and well-told story from the Bible can make a lasting impression and an eternal difference.
One danger with narrative preaching is the tendency to make everything an allegory or give spiritual meaning to things in the story that don’t have spiritual meaning. Narrative preaching should still be exegetical preaching, and it still needs to reveal Jesus. If we only help people find themselves in the story but they fail to find Jesus, it is not gospel preaching!
EXPOSITORY PREACHING
Expository preaching refers to a verse-by-verse or section-by-section explanation of Scripture. It can be a stand-alone sermon examining a specific chapter or verses or a verse-by-verse study of an entire book of the Bible, but its purpose is to make plain or “expose” the meaning of Scripture.
Because we believe all Scripture is inspired (“Godbreathed”), then all of Scripture should be explained and taught. Suppose only topical and narrative sermons are preached. In that case, the truth is there will be portions of Scripture that will likely never be addressed, uncomfortable topics that might be avoided, and complex issues that might never be discussed. Expository preaching allows a pastor to address whatever issues are presented in the text. No one can accuse you of a personal agenda when you simply preach whatever the next passage of scripture says.
Preaching an expository series through a book of the Bible does several things for the pastor. First, it takes the pressure off in deciding what to prepare for the following message: you already know you are preaching the next chapter or section. Second, as stated, some of those difficult issues or seldom preached topics will be addressed when you encounter them in the text. The truth is, expository preaching will allow you to address those “what does the Bible say” topics and will, over time, also bring you to the narrative passages. Third, expository preaching is an opportunity to help the congregation see the big picture of God’s plan and help them understand and connect all of Scripture. Fourth, expository preaching through a
book of the Bible allows the congregation to read and study the passage in advance of the message each week, giving them an opportunity for deeper and richer study of the Scripture.
I recall years ago telling another pastor I was preaching through one of the New Testament books on Sunday morning. He said, “I wish I could do that, but my congregation wouldn’t stand for it. They are used to topical sermons.” If that’s the case, it’s time to change the culture of the church with regard to preaching style. Explain the importance of Biblical preaching. Introduce the congregation to different styles of preaching. Preach an expository series through a book of the Bible and challenge the congregation to read and study along with you. Expository preaching isn’t boring or tedious; at least, it doesn’t have to be. We are preaching the greatest story ever told. If the sermon is boring, it isn’t the material or the preaching style. It might just be the preacher!
Regardless of the style of preaching you choose for this next Sunday, whether topical, narrative, or expository, remember what we said about Pentecostal preaching according to the Apostle Paul: Proclaim the truth about God and his Word, testify of Jesus, his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, and then believe for a demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power, confirming the Word with signs following. Point the listener to Jesus and make Him known, make clear application of the Scripture to their lives, and trust the Holy Spirit as you preach the Word!
Phil Taylor is Pastor Emeritus of Carbondale Assembly of God, retiring in May 2023 after serving the church for 47 years. He continues to preach, write, and sing with The Peacemakers.
Itinerating MISSIONARIES
Thank you for praying for our Oklahoma Missionaries! For more information, please contact the Missions office.
DB Contact OKAG Missions for Contact Info. **Sensitive Country
Nathan & Emily Blackmore blackmoremissions@gmail.com Liverpool/Europe
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Philippines, Asia Pacific
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Chaplaincy–Widow Care
International Ministries
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Brazil
Learn More About the OKAG Mission Network! okag.org/mission
Be The BUFFALO
Part Three: Lift Your Horn
Unlike many species where only the males grow horns, both male and female bison grow horns. Buffalo use their horns to protect themselves against predators. The buffalo’s horns put up a great fight against wolves, bears, and mountain lions. When attacked, a buffalo will charge, slash, and gore the assailant if it can. African buffalo are even known to kill lions through ferocious horn attacks.
Buffalo also use their horns to plow through snow and create new paths where none existed before. Their horns are powerful, pioneering tools set upon their heads as markers of victory, and both male and female buffalo rightly possess these.
In the Bible, a horn symbolizes power over the enemy. It is a marker of victory and a vessel for anointing. Psalm 92:10 says: “You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.” This metaphor of the “exalted horn” mirrors the image of an animal, much like the buffalo, lifting its horns after winning a fight
against a predator. The raised horn symbolizes victory, vindication, and being rescued from oppression.
We can be like the buffalo by rightly recognizing the anointing God has placed on our heads. When the enemy prowls like a lion, we can be assured that God has given us lion-killing capacity through the empowerment of His Spirit to oppose the enemy. We must remember the strength He bestows upon us, even in our weakness, to pioneer paths where none existed before.
Ponder: What things do you feel powerless against? How does the reality of God’s empowerment of victory over you change that powerlessness? Grab the horn of victory God has set aside for you and lift it over opposing situations in prayer today.
Cynthia and her husband, Destry, live in Tulsa with their son Obadiah. They lead Tulsa Metro Chi Alpha. She is an award-winning writer and speaker who loves encouraging everyone to embrace their Kingdom identities. Cynthia also serves as the Director of the Network of Women Ministers for the Oklahoma network.
