Online resources

Helpful preaching & sermon websites

Please read this paragraph first

Here on the preaching page we do not wish to encourage the growing practice of ‘googling’ sermons and preaching them as your own. Here’s some good reasons:

1. It is immoral (the technical term is ‘plagiarism’).
2. It is deceitful (your hearers think you’ve done the hard work of sermon preparation and that the ideas are your own).
3. It encourages laziness in ministry.
4. It is pastorally inadequate (it’s a sermon prepared by another pastor in another place for another congregation with a different history, different needs, problems, and issues).
5. It misunderstands the dynamics and distinctives of biblical preaching – Christian preaching is ‘incarnational communication’ (J I Packer, ‘Honouring the Written Word of God’, p.258). The preacher has wrestled with the text of Scripture and its significance for themselves and the congregation, and the truth of Scripture is mediated through that experience and individual. Regurgitating a pre-digested sermon shortcircuits this vital process.
6. It robs the preacher of the theological and personal maturity that comes from the study of Scripture that sermon preparation demands. This in turn limits their spiritual and leadership influence on those they minister to.

Therefore the links to the preaching and Bible teaching web sites that follow aren’t given for ‘googling’ sermons but to stimulate, help and encourage your own sermon preparation and ministry, and to feed your own soul.

  • For articles on preaching and FREE downloadable audio and written resources, including sermons, go to www.proctrust.org.uk and click on PT Media.
  • For articles on preaching and FREE downloadable written resources including sermons, illustrations, humour, go to www.preaching.com.
  • The largest library of free MP3 audio sermons on the web. Search by Bible, topic or speaker; also an online hymn search. Go to www.sermonaudio.com/main.asp.
  • 30 years of free downloadable preaching and teaching by Dr John Piper, prolific writer and Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Go to www.desiringgod.org and click on Sermons by date, by Scripture, by series, by topic, by occasion and by title; also pastors’ conference seminars, articles. Read, listen, or watch.

Australian preaching

  • Ridley Melbourne Mission & Ministry College. Go to www.ridley.unimelb.edu.au and click on Resources, then Sermons, then PDFs of sermons, or still under Resources, click on Audio for sermons as mp3 audio downloads.
  • Bible College of Victoria. Go to www.bcv.vic.edu.au and under Downloads click on Audio Downloads then Chapel (for chapel sermons) or Principal’s Forum (for sermons by the Principal, Mike Raiter, and others).

Australian Bible talks to purchase

Many Bible talks on numerous topics and Bible passages by gifted Australian Bible teachers (also overseas speakers) given at the six annual Katoomba Christian conventions for youth, youth leaders, men, women, seniors. Go to www.kcc.org.auand click on Online Shop.

Excellent Bible search website

A free service for reading and researching Scripture online. Advanced tools to search the Bible by keywords or verse, as well as other tools to enhance the study of the Bible. Go to www.biblegateway.com/.

Tasmanian Bible Forums (TBFs)

These are held annually on a Saturday in three regions of the diocese. The day involves three bible talks by a gifted and experienced bible teacher, lunch/afternoon tea and fellowship with Anglicans from different parishes around the Word of God. These days are a strong encouragement to faith and ministry and provide excellent modelling of biblical preaching that is faithful and engaging.

TBFs in 2010

St Paul’s Anglican Church, St Helens, Saturday 2 October 2010 from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm
Three Bible talks by Revd Gary Nelson (Director of External Studies, Moore College)

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ulverstone, Saturday 9 October 2010 from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm
Three Bible talks by Revd Gary Nelson (Director of External Studies, Moore College)

Cost $15 (includes lunch and afternoon tea)

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