It's easy to overlook the distinction between a sermon and a message. I often wonder if most preachers are aware of these differences, as I frequently hear sermons that lack a true message. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings in a more precise context. This article aims to clarify the differences between the two terms within the Christian framework, discuss how the church is unfortunately filled with sermons that do not convey God's message, and emphasize the importance of delivering God's message through sermons.
A sermon is essentially the interpretation of a biblical text, guided by principles of Bible interpretation known as hermeneutics. Sermons are often academically structured and aim to extract moral and spiritual lessons from Scripture through hermeneutical and homiletical techniques (the art of preaching). According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, A sermon is a religious discourse delivered in public, usually by a member of the clergy, as part of a worship service. This definition captures the essence of a sermon; it is a religious address typically included in worship. However, it is important to note that God expects to speak to people through sermons.
The act of preaching is a human responsibility that involves studying the text, organizing notes, and delivering the message to the congregation. It does not require deep spirituality to preach a sermon; basic reading, speaking, and writing skills are sufficient. This is why it is possible to encounter a pastor or preacher who may have an unregenerated heart, as highlighted in Matthew 7:22-23.
A message is a burden God placed on a preacher to be addressed through a sermon drawn from a Bible text. It is the point to which a sermon speaks without which a sermon is aimless and pointless. It is the issue a sermon is meant to address. Messages are received as burdens that impress upon the heart of a preacher by the Holy Spirit. These burdens could come through Bible study, prayers and even emanating issues in a church and society demanding scriptural and godly address. Biblical epistles were written from these concerns to address rising issues in local churches and society. While researching for this article I stumble upon an interesting article on this subject matter that describes the differences between a sermon and a message well:
In my mind, the message was what God had impressed deliberately and clearly for me to tell the gathering or people in that season. The sermon and preaching was the package in which I put the message. I have woken up at the start of a weekend with a clear message but no sermon yet. On the other hand, I have developed sermons in line with the teaching theme for the season or meeting and not yet received a message. If you asked me though I would rather have a message and no sermon on Sunday morning than have a sermon without a message! I get a bit nervous either way! I absolutely crave the privilege to look the church in the eyes and say “yep that is what I heard the Father say to tell us”-great sermon or not! I have come to learn that God gives both the message and the sermon.
Messages can be received either in the course of our sermon preparation or not. The underlying point about sermons is that they are meant to reveal the will and mind of God over a particular issue. God, as a living being who is involved in the affairs of man desires to speak to people personally through Bible text and sermons. Therefore, it behoves on every preacher to seek to know the will of God for the people. Sermons without messages do not have the potency to address the needs of the heart. It could fill the mind with scriptural information but leave the soul dissatisfied. The Scripture describes preachers who preaches sermon without messages as:
The men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted; twice dead (2 Peter 2:17; Jude 12b).
Little wonder why members of some congregations don’t grow spiritually. Dr Monte Shanks has explained and described in detail how sermons and messages impact differently:
The difference is the same as the difference between Cicero and Demosthenes. There is a famous quote concerning these two great ancient speakers, which loosely goes like this: “When Cicero had finished speaking, the people said, ‘How well he spoke.’ But when Demosthenes had finished speaking, they said, ‘Let us march!’” And that is the point, isn’t it? Are we supposed to be about sermons or messages? A sermon is what a pastor prepares and then speaks to a listening audience. A message is when spiritual shepherds have the guts to proclaim the truth about what the Lord desires to do in the hearts of those who are actually “hearing” the word of God. And if people hear God speaking to their hearts through your message, then people will be brought to a point of decision. Sometimes they will weep, or repent, or worship, or be strengthened, and then they will serve; and if not, then they will begin picking up stones. Either way, they will not have had their backs scratched or their ears tickled. And isn’t that what the church needs? The church doesn’t need more backscratchers, it needs more heart surgeons.
Only the Holy Spirit knows the exact struggles of the human soul, and when a preacher yields to the leading of the Spirit, the Spirit addresses the spiritual needs of his audience. And it takes little discernment to discover whether a sermon has a message or not. Sermons without messages, worth noting again, cannot nourish a famished soul and not to talk of leading to fruitfulness. One of the most 21st-century Scriptural insightful Bible teacher, A.W.Tozer, has remarked and counsel wisely that:
Listen to no man who fails to listen to God. No man has any right to offer advice who has not first heard God speak. No man has any right to counsel others who is not ready to hear and follow the counsel of the Lord. True moral wisdom must always be an echo of God's voice...God has chosen men still, and they are without exception good listeners. They can hear when the Lord speaks. We may safely listen to such men. But to no others.
Paul the apostle proving the source of his power to the Church in Corinth, has by implication outrightly condemned reliance on human ability for Christian ministration in 1 Corinthians 2:1--5. When the Holy Spirit ministers through someone the same Holy Spirit indwelling the audience will prompt response to sanctification, obedience and fruitfulness. But on the contrary, what will convict sinners to true repentance, and how can the spirit in man be edify, and moved when ministration depends on power of the flesh?
Reference
1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sermon
3. https://medium.com/@Apastortweets/the-message-the-sermon-f01bf1b2712d
4. A. W. Tozer, Tozer on Christian Leadership: A 366-Day Devotional (Kaduna, Evangel Publishers Ltd, 2001).