A sermon is a religious talk given during a worship service, usually by a pastor, priest, rabbi, or other authorized speaker. In Christian worship, it commonly explains a Bible passage or its application to daily life after the Scripture readings; some churches call this talk a homily.
What happens during a sermon?
The sermon often follows one or more Scripture readings. The speaker may explain the passage's meaning, connect it to other parts of the Bible or the church's teaching, and apply it to everyday life. Delivery ranges from reading written notes to speaking without notes. Some sermons focus on one text; others address doctrine, moral questions, or current events.
A sermon can include encouragement to repent, believe, pray, serve, or make a decision for Christ. Congregations differ in how directly they ask for a public response. Its purpose is to teach and apply the Christian message as that church understands it.
How do churches use sermon and homily?
Catholic and Orthodox worshippers usually hear the sermon called a homily. In a Catholic Mass, it generally follows the Gospel reading; in an Orthodox Divine Liturgy, it follows the Gospel as well. Anglican and many Protestant churches commonly use the word sermon, even when their services have a strong liturgical structure. The preacher may be a pastor, priest, minister, or another person authorized by the church.
Jewish congregations generally do not include a sermon in the Christian sense as a regular part of Torah worship. Some offer a sermon, Torah teaching, or explanatory address; a Torah exposition is often called a drushah.
Is the sermon considered worship?
Churches differ on whether the preaching itself counts as worship. Even so, the sermon is ordinarily one element within a larger service, alongside Scripture, prayer, music, and sometimes the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. In many Protestant services it is a central teaching moment; in Catholic and Orthodox services it has a defined place after the Gospel within the Liturgy of the Word. Not every Christian service includes a formal sermon. Some Quaker meetings, for example, center on communal worship and open spoken ministry rather than a prepared sermon.
The order of service shows where the sermon fits. A visitor should not mistake it for the whole service: worship may begin with music and prayer, continue with readings and an offering, and conclude with benediction or dismissal.
What should a visitor expect?
You do not need to know the speaker or understand every biblical reference in advance. The speaker will usually quote or paraphrase Scripture, explain its meaning in the congregation's theological vocabulary, and apply it to faith in practice. Some churches use a written lectionary; others announce sermon titles without distributing a text.
Listeners usually remain seated and quiet unless the service includes a call-and-response, invitation to prayer, or other directed participation. If you miss part of the sermon, ask whether the church offers a recording or written notes. For an unfamiliar service, reviewing the order of service and asking a greeter can clarify when the sermon will occur and what guests should expect.