Let me guess—you’ve had that Sunday.
You preached your heart out.
But you’re left wondering:
“Was anyone even listening?”
It’s discouraging and, unfortunately, way too common.
The problem may be the people. More often, though, the problem is our planning and purpose.
You’re Building Sermons Without a Target
If I asked you, “What’s the goal of your sermon this week?”, you might say:
- “To teach God’s Word.”
- “To unpack this passage.”
- “To help people grow.”
All good things. But none are clear, measurable, or directional.
That’s like saying, “I just want to go somewhere,” and then wondering why you didn’t end up where you hoped.
Preaching without purpose creates sermons that are informational… but forgettable.
When your purpose is vague, you don’t just lose clarity.
You lose impact.
Here’s a Solution: Start With a Clear Purpose, Not a Clever Outline
Before you sketch an outline…
Before you pick an illustration…
And before you select that perfect closing song…
Define the finish line.
Ask yourself:
“What do I want people to do, believe, or reflect on because of this sermon?”
Not what you want to say—
What they need to carry home.
That’s your sermon’s purpose.
And it should shape everything—
Your intro, your stories, your Scripture, your structure, your tone, your takeaway.
Here’s How to Build a Sermon That Sticks:
1. Start with a Purpose Statement
Before you write a word, complete this sentence:
“By the end of this message, I want my audience to ________.”
This is your north star.
You always start your research with a biblical passage or narrative, but you begin the message construction with this statement.
Examples:
- “Trust God’s timing even when life feels stalled.”
- “Confess the hidden sin they’ve been carrying.”
- “Rethink their identity through the lens of grace.”
If you don’t know your target, don’t start building the message.
2. Shape Your Content Around a Journey
Think of your sermon like a story arc:
✅ Start with connection (to create common ground) and tension (the problem they feel)
✅ Introduce truth (what Scripture says about it)
✅ Bridge to application (how it changes real life)
Don’t just preach facts—preach movement.
3. Design the Message With the Listener in Mind
Your people aren’t theologians.
They’re tired. Distracted. Maybe skeptical. Definitely busy.
So:
- Talk like them.
- Structure for them.
- Give next steps that match where they are, not where you wish they were.
Application is the bridge to transformation.
4. Make Application Part of the Journey—Not the Ending
Too many pastors treat application like a PS at the end.
But when the purpose is clear, the application shows up everywhere.
✅ Weave it in early.
✅ Repeat it throughout.
✅ Land it with clarity.
Don’t let them guess what to do—guide them there.
Try This: Build Next Week’s Sermon Backwards
Start with the end in mind.
Don’t ask, “What do I want to say?”
Ask:
“What do I want them to do, believe, or wrestle with?”
And then build backwards from that.
That’s how you move from strong delivery to real transformation.
Because you don’t need a better outline.
You need a clearer purpose.
Quotes to Share
“Preaching without purpose creates sermons that are informational… but forgettable.”
“If you don’t know your target, don’t start building the message.”
“Don’t just preach facts—preach movement.”
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Call to Action
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Preaching Through The Pressure With You,
Dr. Gavin Adams
