Preaching That Hits The Spot

When I enjoy a great meal I say, "that hit the spot." Good preaching should hit the spot.Preaching isn't only about preaching a biblical text or preaching the gospel from that text. When you preach you should always have a spot in mind--a target. As you study your text, also study your people and your culture. Pay attention to the tension points your text exposes in your own heart, in your church, and in your culture. A spot emerges. Focus your sermon, focus the gospel, on hitting that tension spot.You want your hearers coming away from your sermon saying, "that hit the spot." They don't say this because you've told them exactly what they want to hear and now they're full and satisfied. They say this because you've shown them how Scripture, how Jesus, is the only way to resolve the tension spots of pain, desire, guilt, fear, hope, etc. that mark our lives and culture.