Whenever I teach folks to preach, my go-to book is Preaching Pure & Simple by Stuart Olyott. There are, of course, other books on preaching (even other books by him). But few are as short, pithy and straightforward as this one. In it, Stuart helpfully lays out the bare essentials of what is required for good preaching.

Here, I don’t intend to say very much about it at all. I am simply going to list the core ingredients Stuart highlights for any good sermon. They are:

• Exegetical accuracy
• Doctrinal substance
• Clear structure
• Vivid illustration
• Pointed application
• Helpful delivery
• Supernatural authority

As I look at the list (these are his headings which he unpacks in each chapter), there are areas I think evangelical preaching in general is strong and other areas where I think we are generally weak. As I think about myself personally, I there are areas where I think myself reasonably strong and others where I suspect I am pretty weak. But I agree with Stuart, these things typically should all be there!

I wonder, as you look at this list, where you are stronger and where you are weaker? Perhaps you have strong illustrations but limited doctrinal substance. Perhaps you have excellent exegesis but not much pointed application. Maybe you have a clear structure but lack a helpful delivery. All these things will impact how your sermon is heard and how well it lands with the congregation.

Perhaps get yourself a copy, read through the chapters and identify your own strengths and weaknesses. Commit to growing in the areas you are weak. I am convinced our preaching will not be harmed.

You can buy preaching pure and simply here.