Volume 48   Number 3                                                                November 2005

First of all, the emphasis placed upon the sermon in the assembly, and even the name sermon itself, are concepts that should be examined in the light of the New Testament. We do not find the word sermon in the text of any Bible translation this writer has searched. So what does the English word mean? Sermon is defined as: “a religious discourse delivered in public usually by a religious leader as a part of a worship service.” The etymology of the word is interesting: It is a Middle English word, from Old French, from Medieval Latin sermon-, sermo, from Latin ~ “speech, conversation,” from serere ~ “to link together.” (Date: 13th century) The word is related to the word series, showing that a sermon is the linking of ideas together in an orderly fashion.

So while we don’t find the word sermon used in the Bible, we do find godly men who essentially “preached sermons”, as we would say today. The case of Paul and his Jewish brethren in Acts 9:22 is interesting: “But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.” The word proving comes from sumbibazo and it literally means “to drive together, i.e. unite”. Paul was bringing points together concerning Christ; uniting them to prove that Jesus was the Messiah! An organized presentation of the Word of God is very effective in instructing the unlearned in the way of the Lord!

The common tendency of religious folks is to elevate the sermon to the main attraction of the assembly. We often see the speaker becoming the center of attention, more important even than the Lord’s Supper. In fact, the sermon is often the determining factor in where many people will attend church. If the sermons at the new church are better than the ones at the old church, you know where most of the people will be headed. The church of our Lord should not be judged in this way, nor should a man’s ability to speak elevate his part above the breaking of bread! It is important to remember how the Bible describes the assembly at Troas in Acts 20:7: “the disciples came together to break bread.” Even though the Apostle Paul preached (discussed) until midnight, his edifying and thoughtful sermon was not the reason given for the meeting!

If we want to use a Bible name for one person speaking to the assembly, the word “exhortation”, is very appropriate, though often neglected. The church this writer was raised in had a different “exhorter” (one of the elders, deacons, or members, and occasionally a visiting evangelist) each first day of the week, and he spoke in the time slot referred to as the “period of exhortation”. Some churches may prefer to hear more than one brother speak in that time period, but the time allotted should be an opportunity for brethren to edify, admonish, and exhort one another in the faith! “For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” (1 Corinthians 14:31)

The original word for exhortation is the word paraklesis and is defined by Strong: “imploration, exhortation, solace”. It is translated in the King James as “comfort, consolation, exhortation, or entreaty.” The word comes from the same root word used to describe the Holy Spirit, or “Comforter”. The Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is to be with us to provide comfort in sorrow, as well as prod us to do our duty to God. The idea of paraklesis is “to call alongside.” This is a good way to think of exhortation: The exhorter is not asking brethren to do anything other than what he himself does. When giving an exhortation on church attendance, for example, you should keep this in mind and make it attractive for brethren to want to be alongside you in the assembly! You will also observe it is hard to be an effective exhorter and a hypocrite at the same time! “Be thou an example of the believers...”

Paul uses another related term in Romans 15:14 when he said, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” The word “admonish” means “to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently.” Instead of expecting a show when we hear an exhortation, we should expect to be reminded, cautioned, warned, gently reproved, and exhorted to our duty.

Teaching is related to exhortation, though it deals mainly with instructing, while exhortation is more of a reminder of our duty with encouragement to carry it through. Imparting the Word of God in the assembly is essential! The word for teacher, didaskalos, is related to the word for doctrine, didaskalia. The flock needs to be taught, and godly teachers use opportunities in the church to instruct us in the Faith. Teaching should always be edifying to the Body, then we fortify spiritual instruction with exhortation to spur us on to achieve the worthy end of “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (1 Timothy 1:5)

When we come together in the church, we ought to be ready to exhort, and to be exhorted! Men who take part in the assembly should prepare beforehand as an organized exhortation is much easier to understand - and take to heart! Exhorting our brethren is a great privilege we must not take for granted. Let each of us do our best to make the church a place of edification, instruction, and exhortation!