Sermon

==Christianity==
{{See also|Homiletics}}
[[Image:Bloch-SermonOnTheMount.jpg|thumb|''The [[Sermon on the Mount]]'' by [[Carl Heinrich Bloch]], 1877]]

In Christianity, a sermon is typically identified as an address or discourse delivered to a [[Church (congregation)|congregation]] of Christians, typically containing theological or moral instruction. The sermon by Christian orators was partly based on the tradition of public lectures by classical orators.<ref>The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition. 1970-1979. The Gale Group, Inc. [https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/preaching Free Dictionary website] Retrieved 21 Nov. 2018</ref> Although it is often called a [[homily]], the original distinction between a sermon and a homily was that a sermon was delivered by a clergyman (licensed preacher) while a homily was read from a printed copy by a [[layman]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shaheen |first=Naseeb |chapter=Shakespeare and the Anglican liturgy: Homilies & Sermons |year=1999 |title=Biblical References in Shakespeare's Plays |publisher=University of Delaware |pages=30–34, p. 32 |isbn=978-0-87413-677-7}}</ref> In the 20th century the distinction has become one of the sermon being likely to be longer, have more structure, and contain more theological content. Homilies are usually considered to be a type of sermon, usually [[#Narrative sermons|narrative]] or [[#Biographical sermons|biographical]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vos |first=Cas J. A. |year=2005 |title=Theopoetry of the Psalms |series=Volume 53 of Cambridge Studies in Medieval Literature |location=Cambridge, England |publisher=Clark International |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=41yvAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA316 316] |isbn=978-0-567-03078-8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Wenzel |first=Siegfried |year=2005 |title=Latin Sermon Collections from Later Medieval England: Orthodox Preaching in the Age of Wyclif |url=https://archive.org/details/latinsermoncolle00wenz |url-access=limited |location=London |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/latinsermoncolle00wenz/page/n38 14] |isbn=978-0-521-84182-5}}</ref> {{See below|{{section link||Types}} below}}.

The word ''sermon'' is used contemporarily to describe many famous moments in Christian (and Jewish) history. The most famous example is the [[Sermon on the Mount]] by [[Jesus|Jesus of Nazareth]]. This address was given around 30 AD,<ref>Kent, Emerson. [http://www.emersonkent.com/speeches/sermon_on_the_mount.htm Sermon on the Mount]. EmersonKent.com. ''Famous Speeches In History''. Retrieved 13 July 2015.</ref> and is recounted in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] ([[s:Bible_(King_James)/Matthew#Chapter_5|5:1–7:29]], including introductory and concluding material) as being delivered on a mount on the north end of the [[Sea of Galilee]], near [[Capernaum]]. It is also contained in some of the other gospel narratives.

During the later [[history of Christianity]], several figures became known for their addresses that later became regarded as sermons. Examples in the early church include [[Saint Peter|Peter]] (see especially [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] [[s:Bible_(King_James)/Acts_of_the_Apostles#Chapter_2|2:14b–36]]), [[Stephen]] (see [[s:Bible_(King_James)/Acts_of_the_Apostles#Chapter_7|Acts 7:1b–53]]), [[Tertullian]] and [[John Chrysostom]]. These addresses were used to spread Christianity across Europe and [[Asia Minor]], and as such are not sermons in the modern sense, but evangelistic messages.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The sermon has been an important part of Christian services since [[early Christianity]], and remains prominent in both [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]] and [[Protestantism]]. [[Lay preacher]]s sometimes figure in these traditions of worship, for example the [[Methodist local preacher]]s, but in general preaching has usually been a function of the [[clergy]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Frank |first1=Thomas Edward |title=Polity, Practice, and the Mission of The United Methodist Church |date=2006 |publisher=Abingdon Press |isbn=978-0-687-33531-2 |page=206–7 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Dominican Order]] is officially known as the ''Order of Preachers'' ({{Lang|la|Ordo Praedicatorum}} in [[Latin language|Latin]]); [[friar]]s of this order were trained to publicly preach in [[vernacular]] languages, and the order was created by [[Saint Dominic]] to preach to the [[Cathar]]s of southern France in the early 13th century. The [[Franciscans]] are another important preaching order; Travelling preachers, usually friars, were an important feature of late medieval Catholicism. In 1448 the church authorities seated at [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Angers|Angers]] prohibited [[open-air preaching]] in France.<ref>Dictionary of the Middle Ages. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1988. v. 10, p. 77. {{ISBN|9780684182773}}.</ref> If a sermon is delivered during the Mass it comes after the Gospel is sung or read. If it is delivered by the priest or bishop that offers the Mass then he removes his [[Maniple (vestment)|maniple]], and in some cases his [[chasuble]], because the sermon is not part of the Mass. A bishop preaches his sermon wearing his [[mitre]] while seated whereas a priest, or on rare occasions a deacon, preaches standing and wearing his [[biretta]].   

In most denominations, modern preaching is kept below forty minutes, but historic preachers of all denominations could at times speak for several hours,<ref>Francis, 10</ref> and use techniques of [[rhetoric]] and theatre that are today somewhat out of fashion in mainline churches.

During the Middle Ages, sermons inspired the beginnings of new [[religious institute]]s (e.g., [[Saint Dominic]] and [[Francis of Assisi]]). [[Pope Urban II]] began the [[First Crusade]] in November 1095 at the [[Council of Clermont]], France, when he exhorted French knights to retake the [[Holy Land]].

The academic study of sermons, the analysis and classification of their preparation, composition and delivery, is called [[homiletics]].

A controversial issue that aroused strong feelings in [[early modern Britain]] was whether sermons should be read from a fully prepared text, or extemporized, perhaps from some notes.<ref>Francis, 13–14</ref>  Many sermons have been written down, collected and published; published sermons were a major and profitable literary form, and category of books in the book trade, from at least the Late Antique Church to about the late 19th century.<ref>Francis, 19–21</ref> Many clergymen openly recycled large chunks of published sermons in their own preaching.<ref>Francis, 14</ref> Such sermons include [[John Wesley]]'s ''[[Forty-four Sermons]]'', John Chrysostom's ''Homily on the Resurrection'' (preached every Easter in Orthodox churches) and [[Gregory of Nazianzus|Gregory Nazianzus]]' homily "On the Theophany, or Birthday of Christ" (preached every Christmas in Orthodox churches).  The 80 sermons in German of the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] [[Johannes Tauler]] (1300–1361) were read for centuries after his death.

[[File:Martin Luther Preaching to Faithful (1561).jpg|thumb|[[Martin Luther]] Preaching to Faithful (1561)]]
[[Martin Luther]] published his sermons (''[[Postil|Hauspostille]]'') on the Sunday lessons for the edification of readers. This tradition was continued by [[Martin Chemnitz]] and [[Johann Arndt]], as well as many others into the following centuries—for example [[CH Spurgeon]]'s stenographed sermons, ''[[Charles Spurgeon#Metropolitan Tabernacle|The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit]]''.<ref>Spurgeon, C.H., ''Spurgeon's Sermons'', Baker 2003, {{ISBN|0-8010-1113-2}}</ref> The widow of [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] [[John Tillotson]] (1630–1694) received £2,500 for the manuscripts of his sermons, a very large sum.

===Lutheranism and Reformed Christianity===
[[File:Doop van Prins Maurits in de Grote Kerk te Apeldoorn ds.dr. H. Berkhoff tijdens, Bestanddeelnr 254-8166.jpg|thumb|A [[Reformed Christianity|Reformed]] Christian minister preaching from a [[pulpit]], 1968]]
The [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] led to [[Protestant]] sermons, many of which defended the [[schism (religion)|schism]] with the Roman Catholic Church and explained beliefs about the Bible, theology, and devotion.<ref> Hans J. Hillerbrand, ''Encyclopedia of Protestantism: 4-volume Set'', Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2016, p. 1843</ref> The distinctive doctrines of Protestantism held that [[salvation]] was by [[sola fide|faith alone]], and convincing people to believe the Gospel and place trust in God for their salvation through Jesus Christ was the decisive step in salvation.

In many Protestant churches, the sermon came to replace the [[Eucharist]] as the central act of Christian worship (although some Protestants such as [[Lutheran]]s give equal time to a sermon and the Eucharist in their [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Divine Service]]). While Luther retained the use of the [[lectionary]] for selecting texts for preaching, the Swiss Reformers, such as [[Ulrich Zwingli]], [[Johannes Oecolampadius]], and [[John Calvin]], notably returned to the patristic model of preaching through books of the Bible. The goal of Protestant worship, as conditioned by these reforms, was above all to offer glory to God for the gift of grace in Jesus Christ, to rouse the congregation to a deeper [[faith]], and to inspire them to practice works of love for the benefit of the neighbor, rather than carry on with potentially empty rituals.

=== Evangelical Christianity ===
In the 18th and 19th centuries during the [[Great Awakening]], major (evangelistic) sermons were made at [[Revival meeting|revivals]], which were especially popular in the United States. These sermons were noted for their "[[Fire and brimstone|fire-and-brimstone]]" message, typified by [[Jonathan Edwards (theology)|Jonathan Edwards]]' famous "[[Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God]]" speech. In these sermons the wrath of God was intended to be made evident. Edwards also preached on ''Religious Affections'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/JonathanEdwards|title=Jonathan Edwards|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> which discussed the divided Christian world.

In [[Evangelical Christianity]], the sermon is often called the "message". It occupies an important place in [[Worship service (evangelicalism)|worship service]], half the time, about 45 to 60 minutes.<ref> Bruce E. Shields, David Alan Butzu, ''Generations of Praise: The History of Worship'', College Press, USA, 2006, p. 307-308</ref><ref>Franklin M. Segler, Randall Bradley, ''Christian Worship: Its Theology and Practice'', B&H Publishing Group, USA, 2006, p. 145</ref><ref> Pew Research Center, 
[https://www.pewforum.org/2019/12/16/the-digital-pulpit-a-nationwide-analysis-of-online-sermons/ The Digital Pulpit: A Nationwide Analysis of Online Sermons], pewforum.org, USA, December 16, 2019</ref> This message can be supported by a powerpoint, images and videos. <ref>Christina L. Baade, James Andrew Deaville, ''Music and the Broadcast Experience: Performance, Production, and Audience'', Oxford University Press, USA, 2016, p. 300</ref> In some churches, messages are grouped into thematic series. <ref> Susan Cartmell, ''UnCommon Preaching: An Alternative to the Lectionary'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2015, p. 27</ref> The one who brings the message is usually a [[pastor]] trained either in a [[bible college]] or independently. <ref> Michel Deneken, Francis Messner, Frank Alvarez-Pereyre, ''La théologie à l'Université: statut, programmes et évolutions'', Editions Labor et Fides, França, 2009, p. 61</ref> Evangelical sermons are broadcast on the radio, on television channels ([[televangelism]]), on the Internet, on [[Web portal| web portals]], on the website of the churches <ref> Sébastien Fath, ''Dieu XXL, la révolution des mégachurches'', Éditions Autrement, França, 2008, p. 151-153</ref> <ref> Christine Gudorf, Zainal Abidin, Mathen Tahun, "Aspirations for Modernity and Prosperity", Casemate Publishers, USA, 2015, p. 82 </ref> and through social media like [[YouTube]] and [[Facebook]]. <ref> Mark Ward Sr., ''The Electronic Church in the Digital Age: Cultural Impacts of Evangelical Mass Media '', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2015, p. 78 </ref>

=== Roman Catholic ===
Roman Catholic preaching has evolved over time but generally the subject matter is similar. As the famous St. [[Alphonsus Ligouri]] states, "With regard to the subject matter of sermons. Those subjects should be selected which move most powerfully to detest sin and to love God; whence the preacher should often speak of [[Four last things|the last things]] of death, of judgment, of Hell, of Heaven, and of eternity. According to the advice of the Holy Spirit, 'Remember your last end, and you shall never sin.' (Eccl. vii. 40)."<ref>{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Sermons for all the Sundays in the year/Instructions to Preachers|Instructions to Preachers]] |title=Sermons for all the Sundays in the year|year=1882|publisher=Dublin|first=Alphonus|last=Liguori|author-link=Alphonsus Liguori}}</ref>

Among the most famous Catholic sermons are St. [[Francis of Assisi]]'s Sermon to the Birds, St. [[Alphonsus Liguori]]'s Italian [[s:Sermons for all the Sundays in the year|Sermons for all the Sundays in the year]], St. [[Robert Bellarmine]]'s sermons during the counter-reformation period in [[s:Sermons from the Latins|Sermons from the Latins]], the French [[s:The Sermons of the Curé of Ars|The Sermons of the Curé of Ars]] by St. [[John Vianney]] and the [[s:The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church|Old English sermons]] of [[Ælfric of Eynsham]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.traditionalcatholicsermons.org/wordpress/ |title=Traditional Catholic Sermons |website=www.traditionalcatholicsermons.org |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref>