The Five Step Framework

Sermon Structure Building
Capstone
Unity & Conclusion
Keystone
Christ Connection
Pillar 1
Point 1
Pillar 2
Point 2
Pillar 3
Point 3
Foundation
Text Context
Cornerstone
Consider Jesus

Build your sermon from the ground up:

  • 1. Foundation: Enter the text's world (historical, literary context)
  • 2. Cornerstone: Consider Jesus - how would He approach this topic?
  • 3. Three Pillars: Your main supporting points that flow naturally from the text
  • 4. Keystone: Christ connects and unifies all three pillars
  • 5. Capstone: Brings everything together in unity and conclusion
1
Foundation - Enter the Text's World
Like the solid base of a classical structure, gather the foundational pieces by exploring the context of the Bible passage, including its literary, historical, and emotional aspects.

Process: Stand in the writer's and reader's shoes. Survey the site: What's being constructed here? Why was it designed? How did it resonate with the first inhabitants?

Preaching Insights: "Pray before you write. Saturate with prayer." Begin every sermon preparation in communion with God.

✓ Success Criteria

You can describe the original context of the text in 2-3 clear sentences.

2
Cornerstone - Consider Jesus
Like the cornerstone that determines the entire building's orientation, before crafting your sermon structure, ask: "How would Jesus approach this topic? What does the Gospel say about this?"

Process: Let Christ's character and the Gospel message inform your thinking from the very beginning.

Piper's Insight: Preaching must display "the majesty of God in Christ" - this is where true authority comes from.

✓ Success Criteria

You can articulate how Jesus/Gospel connects to this text before you begin outlining.

3
Pillars - 3 Supporting Points
Like the three classical columns that support the entablature, build 3 key sections that align with the text's natural flow, designed to connect with your congregation.

Process: Design each pillar to connect with your congregation, ensuring varied points of engagement. Anchor each segment to the sermon's central theme.

The 8-Step Process for Each Pillar:

  1. Read the Text — Slow and Clear
  2. State the Point — What's the truth here?
  3. Explain the Scene — The people, need, action, teaching, or command
  4. Draw the Principle — What does this show us about God or life?
  5. Add Velcro (Illustration) — Something relatable or personal to help it stick
  6. Connect — Restate the point now that people understand more
  7. Challenge — Ask a practical, pointed question that hits the need
  8. Transition Smoothly — Lead into the next section with a linking sentence
Merida's Heart: Approach each point with "love for people" - shepherd their hearts with genuine compassion.

✓ Success Criteria

Each division flows naturally from the text (not imposed), your illustration genuinely illuminates the principle, and your application connects authentically to our people today.

4
Keystone - The Christ Connection
Like the keystone at the apex of the arch that locks all the voussoirs in place, identify where Jesus anchors the text. Show how Christ is the key that holds all three pillars together.

Process: Connect His life, death, resurrection, or Spirit-presence to the passage's tension or need. Show how Christ gives meaning to the entire structure.

Piper's Goal: "The goal is the glory of God" - Christ should appear as both foundation and unifying element.

✓ Success Criteria

Christ appears as both foundation and unifying element, creating one cohesive Gospel-centered message.

5
Capstone - Bring It All Together
Like the pediment that crowns the entire structure, create unity in your conclusion, helping people see how all elements work together to form one complete, beautiful message.

Process:

  • Revisit the opening story with resolution if it connects
  • Lay out the three pillars in sequence, showcasing the sermon's architecture
  • Call the church to build their lives on this foundation
  • Review the 3 points clearly and memorably
  • Pray for alignment between God's Word and the congregation's response
Preaching Insights: "30 minutes is a good amount of time" - respect your people's attention while delivering the complete message.

✓ Success Criteria

The conclusion brings unity to the entire sermon, helping people see how all elements work together to create one compelling, Christ-centered message.

John Piper: Expository Exultation

"Preaching is the heralding of God's Word with a passion for God's glory."

The Four Pillars:

  1. Expository: Rooted in God's Word, not the preacher's ideas. Authority comes from faithfully unfolding Scripture.
  2. Exultation: Not cold explanation but worship. The preacher must feel and rejoice in the truth.
  3. The Goal: The glory of God. Magnifying God's supremacy and displaying His majesty in Christ.
  4. Head, Hearts, and Hands Together: Truth, Passion, and Action - all three must be present.

Tony Merida: Seven Qualities of Great Preaching

  1. Love for the Word and Christ: Let the Word transform the preacher first
  2. Love for people: Pastoral warmth and genuine compassion
  3. Gifts of the Spirit: Being faithful to what God has given
  4. Practice of Progress: Through suffering, dependence, repentance, and forgiveness
  5. Mentorship and Models: Learning from others to develop
  6. Training and Experience: Remaining learners as teachers
  7. Holiness and Prayer: Personal character anchoring ministry effectiveness

Preaching Insights: Practical Wisdom

  • Preach because I have something to say, not because I have to say something
  • Live sermons are most people's regular Bible Study
  • Preaching needs to be about people learning, not just a preacher teaching
  • Pray before you write. Pray before you preach. Saturate with prayer
  • 30 minutes is a good amount of time for a sermon
  • The preacher's passion is the bridge that helps people care about the passage

Time Management

  • Introduction: 3-5 minutes
  • Each Pillar: 6-8 minutes
  • Christ Connection: 3-5 minutes
  • Conclusion: 3-5 minutes
  • Total: ~30 minutes

Sermon Building Progress

0% Complete - Ready to begin

Step 1: Foundation - Enter the Text's World

Step 2: Cornerstone - Consider Jesus

Step 3: Pillars - Three Supporting Points

Pillar 1:

Pillar 2:

Pillar 3:

Step 4: Keystone - The Christ Connection

Step 5: Capstone - Bring It All Together

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