Preparing & Preaching a Gospel-Centered Message

• Series: Church Planting
• by: Richard Kaufmann 03/31/07
• Series: Church Planting

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Introduction

A. Why am I speaking on Gospel-Centered Preaching (GCP)?

B. What is GCP?

1. In relationship to God’s Word it is gospel-centered.

2. In relationship to God’s World it is missional.

3. In relationship to God’s Church it is grace-renewal.

C. What is the purpose of GCP?

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

1.  God is most glorified through the proclamation of the gospel…

2.  Unto the saving of the lost…

3.  And the sanctifying of the church.

D. What is involved in GCP?

Adapted from unpublished work by Tim Keller

1. Content: Present the gospel in every text (vs. moralism)

a. Biblical (textual)

b. Clear (big idea)

c. Narrative (big story)

2. Application: Apply the gospel to every problem (vs. self-help)

a. Insightful (wise) sanctification by faith

b. Practical (concrete) depict life

c. Vivid (sensory) depict Christ

3. Delivery: Convey reality of gospel (vs. lecture)

a. Forceful

b. Warm

c. Joyful

E. How do you plan for GCP?

How do you select the portion of God’s Word that you will preach?

What are the options?

F. How do you prepare for GCP?

This will be our focus.  Here’s one way to look at it:

1.  From scripture to sermon outline

2.  From sermon outline to “manuscript”
 
3.  From “manuscript” to delivery

4. From scripture to preacher’s heart 

Note: The following pages are my template for sermon preparation.

From scripture to sermon outline

A.  Goal 

Title
Text
Date

Subject:

Big Idea:

Gospel Pointers:

Purpose:

Sermon Outline
The following is my starting point – often structure looks a lot different when I am finished: 2 or four main points instead of 3; different sub-points; sometimes just tell the story and draw out one or more applications—“Never ruin a great story with a sermon.”

Introduction

A. Contact – Get attention & gain interest
1.
2.
3.

B. Context – Connect text with immediate story
1.
2.
3.

C. Overview – Introduce main points
1.
2.
3.

I.
A. Proclamation
1. 
2. 
3. 

B. Explanation
1. 
2. 
3.
 
C. Application
1. 
2. 
3. 

Trans.

II.
A. Proclamation
1. 
2. 
3. 

B. Explanation
1. 
2. 
3. 

C. Application
1. 
2. 
3. 

Trans.
1. 
2. 

III.
A. Proclamation
1. 
2. 
3. 

B. Explanation
1. 
2. 
3. 

C. Application
1. 
2. 
3. 

Conclusion

Drive home (summarize/illustrate) main application (desired response) of the big idea!

B.  Steps to reach goal

0.  Optional: memorize text

1.  Read text and immediate context repeatedly

2.  Ask questions of text (list of general questions)

3. Read commentaries for help in answering specific questions

4. Develop different outline options – choose the best

5. Research illustrations and quotes  

C.  Evaluate progress

1.  Content: Present the gospel in every text (vs. moralism)

a.  Biblical (textual)

b.  Clear (big idea)

c.  Narrative (big story)

2.  Application: Apply the gospel to every problem (vs. self-help)

a.  Insightful (wise) sanctification by faith

b.  Practical (concrete) depict life

c.  Vivid (sensory) depict Christ

3.  Delivery: Convey reality of gospel (vs. lecture)

a.  Forceful

b.  Warm

c.  Joyful

From sermon outline to “manuscript” 

A. Goal
Intro.
By “manuscript” I mean either a complete word for word manuscript or detailed bullet points beneath the 3rd level of outline.

1.  Complete manuscript

• Advantages: 
           Think through ideas more clearly
           Better estimate of length of sermon
• Disadvantages: 
            May sound ‘canned’ – reciting a speech vs. talking with people
            Loss of freedom

2.  Detailed bullet points 

• Advantages:  

        More dialogical
        Greater freedom

• Disadvantages:   

Less clear
Less control of length of sermon

B. Steps to reach goal

1.  Do rough first draft “manuscript” – don’t bog down
 
2.  Do second draft to sharpen ideas and logic

3.  Do third draft to streamline for tightness, thrust, and tension

C. Evaluate progress again

1.  Content: Present the gospel in every text (vs. moralism)

a.  Biblical (textual)
b.  Clear (big idea)
c.  Narrative (big story)

2.  Application: Apply the gospel to every problem (vs. self-help)

a.  Insightful (wise) sanctification by faith
b.  Practical (concrete) depict life
c.  Vivid (sensory) depict Christ

3.  Delivery: Convey reality of gospel (vs. lecture)

a.  Forceful
b.  Warm
c.  Joyful
 

From “manuscript” to delivery

A. Goal

1. Prepare notes for use in preaching

2. Soak enough to know and experience, but not enough to memorize

B. Steps to reach goal

1. Prepare notes for use in preaching
    Intro. Here are the options I have used at various times.

    a. High-lighted, outlined manuscript?

    b. Outline with bullet points beneath level 3?

    c. No outline only scripture text and quotes?

2. Soak enough to know and experience it, but not enough to memorize

    a. Read through it several times 3 to 5

    b. Memorize the outline to the third level

    c. Go thru it three times as you will in preaching

3. Here’s an example of what I use while preaching