Sermon Evaluation #4

Patterns of Preaching – preacher:  Charles L. Rice (p.110ff.)

1. What is the focus of this sermon?  The resurrection is the story of One who has come to meet us in a closed place to bring us out into freedom.

2. How did the sermon use the text to address the contemporary situation?    The text of Luke 24:1-12 was used as an illustration of the spiritual resurrection which occurs in our own lives.  Just as the disciples were witnesses to Christ’s physical resurrection so too we can see the revitalizing power of his presence in our world.  Easter is continuing to go on all around us.

3. How did the sermon offer hope or the message of God’s promise to the listener?  Though we may be trapped, even willingly, in a dark, secluded place, we can find freedom and renewal in the power of the resurrection.  This allows us to see and live in a delightfully new way.

4. How was the sermon transformative?  How might we be changed from hearing this message?    This is a message of hope and life.  It is transformative in bringing renewal to our soul and prompting us to look in a new way at the world around, prompting us to see and be renewed by the constant work of renewal which God is working in us and in this world.

5. Were the logic and structure of the sermon clear?  Did it flow smoothly and coherently?  It was very smooth and clear.  It framed the study of the text in personal contemporary and culturally contemporary instances in order to connect the story to our own experiences.  I felt drawn along throughout, and engaged at each point.

6.  What was most memorable about this sermon?  I particularly was touched by the story of the baby fox, whose head was covered in a plastic wrapper.  I liked how he added this “nature” image alongside of the personal and cultural stories.  He engaged different interests through this variety.

7.  Any suggestions for improvement?  Some of the introductions to the different parts seemed extraneous.  Did he need to mention Dan Rather before talking about Luke?  Did he need mention that the story he was about to tell he told earlier to the children.  I think these prefaces threw off the rhythm a bit.