The 7 Stages Of A Sermon

1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

A sermon to pastors. The seven steps are mine, I would simply add the observation that we are to pray before we prepare, (prayerperation) after we have prepared, (saturation) and after we have delivered the word that it may continue in the hearts and lives of our hearer. (Continuation) The sermon follows and consists of some comments on John 17 by John Calvin, and Matthew Henry.

Prayerperation Prayer

Perspiration

Organization

Saturation Prayer

Regurgitation

Declaration

Continuation Prayer

Commenting that Jesus prayed John 17 after lecturing them in John 14-16 Calvin said: “Now he most properly betakes himself to prayer; for doctrine has no power, if efficacy be not imparted to it from above. He, therefore, holds out an example to teachers, not to employ themselves only in sowing the word, but, by mingling their prayers with it, to implore the assistance of God, that his blessing may render their labor fruitful. In short, this passage of the Lord Jesus Christ might be said to be the seal of the preceding doctrine, both that it might be ratified in itself, and that it might obtain full credit with the disciples.

It was a prayer after a sermon; when he had spoken from God to them, he turned to speak to God for them. Note, Those we preach to we must pray for. He that was to prophesy upon the dry bones was also to pray, Come, O breath, and breathe upon them. And the word preached should be prayed over, for God gives the increase. (Matthew Henry)