Angelito S.

Dichosa
Homiletics
Ptr. Kevin Escalona

Chapter 14 “The Sermon and Its Structure: The Introduction”

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To awaken the hearers’ interest in the subject that has been chosen

A teacher of public speaking told his classes there are four obstacles to overcome in winning an
audience to the speaker’s viewpoint.

To enable the speaker to surmount the obstacles that stand in the way of interest

The first obstacle he styled, «Ho-hum!» By this the indifference and apathy of the average
audience is expressed. An introduction that does not arouse the attention of the hearers will leave
the preacher without an audience, when he comes to the discussion of his theme. The second
obstacle he expressed thus, «Why bring that up?» The audience now challenges the right of the
speaker to address it on the subject he has chosen. He must now proceed to take the audience
into his confidence, and state clearly and succinctly why he has chosen his topic.

He must show the audience how essential it is, to its best interests, that this subject be presented
at this time. The fourth obstacle he termed, «So what?» By this the audience evidences the fact
that it wants to know what is expected of it, and this the speaker should proceed to do in no
uncertain manner. This common sense advice, even though it comes from a man of the
world, contains much that the gospel preacher and teacher would do well to take into
consideration when addressing an audience.

To prepare the audience for an understanding of the theme under consideration

The speaker must anticipate this ignorance and, with a few well chosen words, arouse his
attention to the vital importance of this subject and enlighten him as to its meaning. The
introduction should be an incline, by which an audience is brought from its low level, or
inertia, to the higher plane of the speaker’s thought. By means of this introduction, the preacher
anticipates and clears away the obstacles which would otherwise hinder the audience from
grasping the importance and meaning of the theme. « The person to whom the words were
addressed was a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus, and the speaker was none other than the
eternal and incarnate Son of God».

To secure the good will of the audience

The hearers may be prejudiced against and even antagonistic to both the speaker and his
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Chapter 14. II The Purpose of It
theme. Therefore one can easily appreciate how necessary it is for the speaker, at the very
beginning of his sermon, to dissolve their prejudices, disarm their doubts and take them into his
confidence. Many a hearer who «came to scoff, remained to pray,» because of a good
introduction.

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The introduction has been well called «the crucial five minutes.» In this period, the speaker will
either gain or lose his audience. If the introduction fails to gain the sympathetic ear of the
hearers, the sermon that follows will be lost on the audience. The preacher must master the art of
getting away to a good start. Just as salesmen are given a preliminary course of training in the art
of approaching the prospective customer, with a view to gaining access into his home and
pocketbook, so the preacher must study the best way to gain access into peoples’ minds with a
view to selling them the truth.

There is certainly no doubt that the preacher has the finest product in all the world. The preacher
must do likewise if he wishes to lead people into the way of life.

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It should lead directly to the discussion

The audience should not be conducted on a tour from Dan to Beersheba.

The introduction is but a gate that leads directly to the body of the address. The speaker should
therefore lead the audience through it and not swing to and fro on the gate! Everything irrelevant
to the theme should be rigorously eliminated.
Remember, an introduction that leads nowhere always carries the audience with it! Every theme
has a natural approach. This must be found and the audience led along it. D. L. Moody’s
introductions were brief and almost abrupt, but they were strictly to the point and no time was
wasted on useless padding.

It should be simple and modest

The preacher should not capitalize on his capital «I»s! The cross is the capital «I» crossed out . It
will be observed that they are all crucified with Christ, and this is the proper place for that stiff
little perpendicular pronoun. Christ must have the preeminence in the introduction, as well as
throughout the sermon. The preacher should not be like the antiquated steam engine which used
so much steam when it whistled that, while whistling, it couldn’t draw its load.

It should be varied

The preacher should not only beware of ritualism, but also of rutualism.
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Chapter 14. III The Importance of It
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Chapter 14. III Some Suggestion Regarding It
It should not be long

Its length, of course, will be determined by the theme. Five minutes, or less, should be ample for
a forty minute address. The sermon does not exist for the introduction, but vice versa.
 Chapter 15 “The Sermon and Its Structure: The Discussion”

The discussion is that part of the sermon which presents the truth contained in the text and the theme. It is that
for which the text, theme, introduction and the conclusion exist. For this building he needs a definite plan. His
business, in the sermon, is to work out his plan to construct the building.