Nine sermons out of ten, the last thing I write is also the first thing I say: the introduction.
The introduction isn't the meat of the message. It's not the heart of my exegetical work. It's not even the "one thing" I hope people will remember Monday morning.
But that doesn't mean it doesn't matter.
The introduction sets the tone for the sermon that follows.
It introduces a problem or point of tension; voices a need people may or may not realize they have.
It's an attention-getter (more on that in the video below).
It's a bridge-builder. The people in the pews want to know what this old Bible story has to do with their 21st century lives and how these few minutes on Sunday morning are going to make a difference in the rest of their week.
It's a relationship-building moment, connecting the preacher and hearer in a relationship of empathy and trust as you go on this journey through the sermon together.
And it's really hard to do any of that well until you know where you're headed!
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This year, I've heard nearly 200 sermon introductions: some good, some excellent, some confusing, and some that actually undermined the message that followed. Here are a few lessons I've learned about sermon introductions: