Why does tension even matter in a sermon? How do you keep the tension? Co-hosts Matt Woodley and Kevin Miller explore these questions, considering the scriptures. Here are three ways you can keep tension in your sermon:

1. Highlight the tension that’s already in the Biblical text.
2. Keep the bold Biblical statements bold.
3. When presenting the Biblical truth, also give credit to what you can in the opposing view.

Miller said, “when we lose tension in our sermon, listeners lose interest.” As a result, your listeners can disengage from the Word of God. We also cannot negate, the boldness found in scripture.

Here’s an example he gave, to illustrate that boldness: “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Mt. 6:15).”

Check out the show-notes:

• Jill Briscoe’s sermon entitled “Yet I Will Praise Thee” on our website
• Tim Keller’s book “Preaching: Communicating Faith in An Age of Skepticism”

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.