Sermon
Summary
A discourse delivered in public religious services for the purpose of religious instruction and spiritual improvement.
☩Jesus' Sermons
The most famous biblical sermons are those delivered by Jesus. The 'Sermon on the Mount' (Matthew 5-7) was delivered on a mountainside and contains the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and foundational teachings on the kingdom of God. Luke 6:17-49 records a similar 'Sermon on the Plain' delivered after the appointment of the Twelve, emphasizing social duties and practical discipleship. Jesus also taught extensively beside Lake Galilee, delivering parables and kingdom teachings to the crowds gathered there.
☩Early Church Practice
In the early church, sermons were called tractates (expository), disputations (argumentative), allocutions, or homilies (familiar addresses). The sermon was delivered after the reading of psalms and Scripture lessons, before catechumens were dismissed. Typically the bishop preached when present, or a presbyter in his absence. Sometimes multiple sermons were delivered in the same assembly, with presbyters speaking first and the bishop last.
See Also
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Sermon on the Mount," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Sermon on the Plain, The," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sermon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sermon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sermon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).