Yesterday, I said the one question to be asked of any sermon is, “Was it faithful?” A faithful sermon is one that exalts God’s glory in Christ, by clearly making the point of the passage the point of the sermon and broadly applying its truth to the life of the congregation.

Once this question is asked and answered the pastor ought to move on to the second question, “How can it be better?”

METHODS OF EVALUATION

No sermon is perfect, thus every sermon can be better. Honest evaluation can be painful, but inspired Solomon said, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6). So, how can a pastor evaluate his sermon? Here are three options:

1. Listen to the sermon. I am regularly amazed at how few preachers ever listen to one of their sermons. Listening is an easy way to identify what habits in vocal delivery are helpful or hurtful.
2. Watch the sermon. Even better than listening is watching the sermon. This allows the preacher to not only hear vocal tendencies, but also see how his physical expressions and movements serve or distract.
3. Watch the sermon with trusted brothers in Christ. This is the best way to evaluate a sermon. Some pastors are prone to discouragement and the feedback of other brothers helps to counterbalance doubt and despair. On the flip side, some pastors are prone to think every sermon is a “home run” – or at least an extra base hit – and the critique of other brothers promotes humility. Additionally, multiple perspectives will help the preacher see areas of improvement he might have otherwise missed.

CATEGORIES FOR EVALUATION

Sermon evaluation is done best when every person involved has concrete categories and questions driving the critique. Two basic ones are worth consideration:

1. Content. Did the sermon faithful exposit the individual passage? Did the sermon have a main point? If so, was the main point clearly and rightly derived from the text? Did the main headings/points/divisions appropriately support the main point? Was there a clear and logical flow to the sermon’s persuasion? Was application used throughout and discriminatory in nature? Was the application tied to the text? Were the illustrations winsome and illuminating? Was the gospel responsibly and naturally integrated into the sermon? Did the sermon have a strong introduction and conclusion? Was the sermon too long or too short?
2. Delivery. Was the sermon passage read with clarity and appropriate expression? Was passion and authenticity demonstrated? Did the preacher speak with confidence, clarity, and credibility? Was humor used purposefully and naturally? Did the preacher maintain solid eye contact? Was gesturing appropriate and natural? Did the sermon have dynamic pacing and momentum?

The questions that can be asked of a sermon are legion. Therefore, it would be wise for a preacher to concentrate on questions that uniquely reflect his congregation’s sermonic convictions. For example, at our church I am primarily concerned that a sermon have two things: 1) undeniable unity/clarity in exposition, and 2) discriminatory gospel application. Your church may have different priorities.

Proverbs 15:32 says, “He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” If we adjust the text for preachers and preaching it might say, “He who ignores evaluation despises his preaching, but whoever heeds correction gains ability.”

We should ask questions of our sermons. Begin with the question, “Was it faithful?” And then ask, “How can it be better?”