Preaching Daily - January 17

Today's Reading...

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13:7

What’s in a Name?: Creating Compelling Sermon Titles

Landon Reynolds

Calvin Miller likens the naming of a sermon to the naming of a baby. In an article devoted to sermon titles, he writes:

In times past, I have fallen in love with next Sunday’s sermon as early as Monday. My enthusiasm for the coming homily was rampant. I sensed the Spirit moving all through my study. My preparation seemed imaginative and Spirit-driven. But on Friday, by the time the bulletin went to press, Monday’s infernal brainchild still did not have a name. Secretaries and office associates gathered around and badgered me to name the little pulpit waif, but alas, no name seemed worthy. Finally, out of time and in terminal desperation, I would rip off the “Baby Miller” sermon title and call it something mundane just as the laser printer was chomping at its chips….We name babies and sermons to give them identity and significance. Unnamed anythings are harder to love and harder to file (this is truer of sermons than babies). Furthermore, it is almost impossible ever to be proud of anything unnamed.

(To read the rest of today's devotional, follow this link.)

Today’s Pastoral Resource...

Preaching

As rewarding as it is to write sermons week after week, sometimes we need a little encouragement and direction. This free guide will give you that motivation you need to write another God-centered sermon that glorifies His name. Get started with this free guide.