Media Outreach

In December, we began this article by Dr. James O. Davis. Let’s continue now by exploring the substance of a sermon.

Substance is “what” is said and style is “how” it is said. There is a certain amount of style in the packaging of a sermon. In John 12:49, Jesus said,

“For I did not speak on my own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent me has given me commandment, what to say, and what to speak.”

In other words, Jesus was led by the Father in all aspects of His speaking engagements.

What do we mean by the delivery of a sermon?

• It simply means to deliver “into the possession of the person for whom it was intended.”
• Delivery refers to the methods by which you communicate “what” you have to say to the “who.”
• Many souls are not saved because the sermon was never delivered to the lost.
• It is possible for the preacher to speak the message, use up a portion of time, give an altar call, and still not accomplish the intended purpose of the sermon.

The message is verbalized, vocalized, visualized and vitalized.
Many ministers of the gospel spend most of their time thinking about what they are going to say to the audience, yet studies have concluded that the decision-making process of people is determined first by visual cues (55 percent), second by vocal (sounds and tones account for 38 percent), and third by verbal (actual words of the presentation account for only 7 percent).

• This data proves the average person is persuaded more by feelings than by facts.
• The visual cues the speaker gives to the audience are positively or negatively persuasive.
• Mannerisms, gestures, head movements, facial expressions, platform movement, eye contact, and clothing project the overall presence of the presenter.

Join us over the next few days to continue this look with Dr. James O. Davis at considering your audience and preparing more than just the words you speak.