There are four parts to my finished sermon: Introduction, Exploration, Application, and Invitation, we are on the third part – Application.
If you haven’t read the first two parts, Introduction and Exploration, please read those posts first.
I remember building model cars growing up. In order to make the car properly, I had to follow the directions and apply the parts of the car in a certain order.
There were times I rushed the process by avoiding steps, like not allowing the glue to dry completely, and the end result was different from the original plan.
I found this to be true as well in sermon preparation and sermon delivery. I would hurry up to finish writing my sermon only to find out that it wasn’t exactly what was planned.
Unfortunately, one of the most needed parts of the sermon is one of the most neglected – Application.
The time intensive process that is required to build a model car is similar to what is needed in writing the steps to apply truth from God’s Word in a sermon.
The question that has consumed the thinking of many pastors is, “how can the hearers apply the truth to their daily lives?”
The ability of bringing the context of the Bible into a contemporary setting is crucial for life transformation. The Application shows how the truth presented, especially in the Exploration part, is lived out daily.
As a speaker you will present the Bible in a way that will affect the entire person of your hearer. The presentation of truth should stir your hearer physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
In order to provide the Application experience, you need to show how the original message found in the text applies today.
Let’s begin to apply the Bible.
What Is Application?
Application are the steps presented to implement a change in thinking, speaking, or behaving.
The importance of Application cannot be overstated because the hearer needs more than just information: they need a way to respond to the information.
There has been a love-hate relationship between information and Application. Some emphasize information so much that there is little or no application in their sermon.
But if one would read the sermons Jesus gave in the Bible, they would see that He did the opposite, He emphasized Application over information.
Andy Stanley writes in his book Communicate For A Change (p.96), “Preaching for life change requires far less information and more application. Less explanation and more inspiration.”
Giving information only without Application is like giving directions by only stating the final destination without giving any other details.
Jay Adams in his book Truth Applied: Application In Preaching (p. 20), defines application as “that process by which preachers make scriptural truths so pertinent to members of their congregations that they not only understand how those truths should effect changes in their lives but also feel obligated and perhaps even eager to implement those changes.”
Our hearers need to know how to apply the information presented in our sermons. Application, yes is one part of the sermon, but it should be present throughout the entire sermon from the introduction to the invitation.
Why Have An Application?
The question, why have an application, has been asked for several years.
To be honest, the answer is that real life for most people doesn’t revolve around historical documents; it revolves around modern struggles, issues, addictions, and experiences.
Application occurs when the preacher effectively focuses the Biblical proclamation of truth to the hearers’ present life. That is why we need to have Application part in a sermon.
Application does several things:
- Encourages hearers to respond to the Biblical truth presented.
- Engages the entire person (Head, Heart, and Hand).
- Enlists hearers to become Christ-like.
- Ensures hearers that Biblical truths are relevant today.
Application is essential to seeing change in the lives of your hearers.
The Application of the Bible begins with asking questions.
The Application Questions Of The Bible.
Questions have become a crucial part of learning. Without asking and answering questions, information can’t be given and knowledge can’t be gained.
There are some questions you can ask in your sermon preparation to create steps to apply truth.
- How was the text applied in the original setting?
- How has the text shaped Churches in history?
- How has the text addressed skeptics of the Bible?
- How does the text help understand God?
- How can the text be lived out today?
John MacArthur in his book Rediscovering Expository Preaching (pg.217) lists some additional questions:
- Are there examples to follow?
- Are there commands to obey?
- Are there errors to avoid?
- Are there sins to forsake?
- Are there promises to claim?
- Are there new thoughts about God?
- Are there principles to live by?
These questions are not exhaustive, but a launch pad into writing ways to implement the truths of the Bible.
As a presenter of God’s Word giving ways to implement truth in the Application part of the sermon is crucial for Invitation.
This will be a good place to spotlight my next blog on the Invitation part. The implementation process laid out in the Application should led to the challenging thoughts spoken in the Invitation.
Ok, we know what an application is and why it is important, but how do we write an Application?
How Do I Write An Application?
Once again, Application should be peppered throughout your entire sermon, but when it comes to the Application part of the sermon, there are some guidelines to help the hearer implement truth.
The Application should be 10-15 minutes in length. Long enough to explain how to implement change but short enough to avoid overwhelming with action steps.
The process of Application will be influenced by your audience, your scripture, your setting, and your topic. Here are 3 ways to present application:
- Ask A Question. This invites the hearer to participate in the sermon by evaluating what they are hearing. Asking thought provoking questions creates an opportunity for self-examination based on God’s Word.
- Make A Statement. This invites the hearer to understand themselves in light of what the Bible says about God.
- Give A Command. This invites the hearer to recognize a needed change in their life due to the presented Biblical truth.
Regardless of how many main points you have, one or three, there is a flow that helps direct your hearer through the Application process.
For each main point in the Application part, direct your hearer by giving the key idea, illustrating the key idea, and explaining how the key idea looks.
Writing an Application can be difficult at times, but there are some things you can do to make that process easier.
What Are Good Practices For Writing An Application?
There are some “BEs” to follow to make sure our applying of the Bible is beneficial.
- Be Personal.
- Be Specific.
- Be Achievable.
- Be Encouraging.
- Be Simple.
- Be Practical.
- Be Relevant.
Conclusion
Andy Stanley wrote, “in light of what I’ve discovered from the text and the insights I’ve gained along the way, what is the one thing they need to know?” Communicate For A Change (p.186)
Revealing the steps to apply that one thing should be present throughout the entire sermon.
The importance of an Application that shows the way to implement the truth of the Bible is essential to life transformation.
When we truly understand that the eternal Word of God has truth that is knowable and applicable to our daily lives, we will begin to share what the Bible says, why the Bible says it, and how we can do what the Bible says.
The ability of instructing how to apply the truth of God in practical action steps will take time. It will be difficult at first. But your ability to instruct ways to apply God’s eternal truth will become easier as you plan ways of implementation.
So, begin planning today for your sermon tomorrow.
