The Three-Point Sermon Within the Propositional Preaching Framework
From Study to Structure to Sermon
Example: Psalm 37:22–25 — Held Together
1. The Purpose of the Three-Point Sermon
Ministers, one of the most practical and effective ways to preach—both for you and for the people you are serving—is the three-point sermon structure. This is not about tradition for tradition’s sake. This is about clarity, stewardship, and impact.
Why the Three-Point Sermon Works
- It gives clarity and focus. It forces the preacher to understand the text and decide what actually matters.
- It increases memorability. People may not remember ten things, but they can often hold on to three.
- It creates balance. Three points allow enough depth without overwhelming the hearer.
- It helps with time management. It gives the preacher pacing and boundaries.
- It creates flow and progression. The sermon moves with direction and purpose.
- It keeps listeners engaged. The hearer can track where the sermon is going.
- It builds discipline in the preacher. It teaches the preacher to cut out what does not belong.
- It is versatile. It works in narrative, doctrine, exhortation, and practical preaching.
This is not limiting the Holy Spirit. This is stewarding the message so people can receive it, remember it, and live it.
2. The Homiletical Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Study the Text (Hermeneutics and Exegesis)
Before a preacher ever gets to a sermon outline, the preacher must understand the text. Hermeneutics gives us the principles of interpretation. Exegesis is the actual work of drawing the meaning out of the text.
- Who is speaking?
- Who is being addressed?
- What is happening?
- When is it happening?
- Where is it happening?
- Why is it being said?
- How is the message being developed?
Step 2: Identify the Type of Literature
The preacher must recognize what kind of biblical writing is being read. Genre affects interpretation.
- Is it history?
- Is it poetry?
- Is it an epistle or letter?
- Is it prophecy?
- Is it apocalyptic or revelation?
Example: Psalm 37
- Wisdom literature
- Instructional in nature
- Contrasts the righteous and the wicked
- Calls the believer not to fret, but to trust the Lord
Step 3: Identify the Anchor Scripture
After studying the chapter, identify the anchor text. This is the focused portion of Scripture from which the sermon will be developed.
Anchor Scripture
Psalm 37:22–25
- Verse 22 — Covenant blessing and inheritance
- Verses 23–24 — Divine direction and sustaining power
- Verse 25 — Lifelong testimony of God’s faithfulness
Step 4: Follow the Conjunctions and Argument Flow
Now the preacher traces how the text moves. Conjunctions often reveal the logic of the passage.
Questions to Ask
- What is being added?
- What is being contrasted?
- What is being explained?
- What is the reason?
- What is the result?
In Psalm 37:22–25, the flow looks like this:
Step 5: Develop the Propositional Statement
The propositional statement is the central truth of the sermon in one clear sentence.
Example Propositional Statement
We are held together not by our own strength, but by God’s covenant favor, sustaining hand, and faithful provision.
Step 6: Develop the Title
The title captures the burden of the message in a memorable way.
Title: Held Together
Step 7: Turn the Proposition into Three Points
Once the proposition is clear, the preacher identifies its natural movements and develops them into the sermon points.
Example Three-Point Structure
- The Covenant Blessing That Holds You Together (Psalm 37:22)
- The Lord Establishes What He Holds Together (Psalm 37:23–24)
- Being Held Together Gives You Testimony (Psalm 37:25)
3. Understanding the Function of the Three Points
Point 1 — Foundation
The first point sets everything up. It establishes the core truth, defines identity, and lays the theological groundwork for the message.
Point 2 — Challenge / Tension
The second point deals with struggle, pressure, difficulty, and the reality of life. This is often where the sermon tests the truth it introduced in point one.
Point 3 — Resolution
The third point resolves the movement of the sermon. It confirms the truth, answers the tension, and positions the hearer to close in faith.
Point 1 introduces the truth. Point 2 tests the truth. Point 3 confirms the truth.
4. Applying the Five Propositional Layers
Once the three points are in place, each point is deepened by applying the five propositional layers:
- Textual — What does the text say?
- Historical — What did it mean in its original setting?
- Theological — What does it reveal about God and doctrine?
- Illustrative — What helps the hearer see it?
- Application — What should the hearer do with it?
Point 1 — The Covenant Blessing That Holds You Together
- Textual: Blessed, inherit, cut off
- Historical: Covenant inheritance, covenant security, land promise
- Theological: Divine favor produces stability
- Illustrative: The dollhouse is owned, but not yet reinforced
- Application: Stop trying to earn what only God’s favor can secure
Point 2 — The Lord Establishes What He Holds Together
- Textual: Ordered, fall, not cast down, uphold
- Historical: David’s own experience of failure and restoration
- Theological: God sustains what He establishes
- Illustrative: Life may shake you, but it cannot destroy what God is holding
- Application: Trouble may strike you, but it cannot terminate you
Point 3 — Being Held Together Gives You Testimony
- Textual: I have been young, now old, not forsaken
- Historical: David is speaking from a lifetime of experience
- Theological: God is faithful over time and does not abandon His own
- Illustrative: Looking back over storms that did not take you out
- Application: Let memory of God’s faithfulness strengthen your present faith
5. Why This Structure Makes Preaching Easier
When the preacher follows this process, the sermon becomes easier to build, easier to preach, and easier to close.
A preacher who knows where the sermon begins, where it is going, and where it ends is far less likely to drift, ramble, or lose the room.
6. The Conclusion
A conclusion should gather the sermon’s truth and press it into the heart of the hearer. It should not introduce a brand-new message. It should bring the sermon to a strong and clear landing.
In this example, the conclusion is:
You may be shaken, but you are not forsaken.
You may fall, but you are not utterly cast down.
You are held together by God.
7. Why We Go to Calvary
We go to Calvary because the truth preached in the sermon can only become reality in our lives through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Teaching Principle
The sermon explains the truth.
The cross makes the truth possible.
Without Calvary, there is no saving grace, no sustaining power, no covenant access, and no transformation. This is why many preachers were taught that there are almost two sermons:
- The sermon from the text
- The gospel close about Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and return
We go to Calvary because we cannot live out what was preached unless Christ died and rose again.
8. Final Summary
- Study the chapter
- Understand the kind of literature you are reading
- Identify the anchor scripture
- Follow the conjunctions and argument flow
- Develop the propositional statement
- Develop the title
- Turn the proposition into three points
- Apply the five propositional layers to each point
- Preach with clarity and structure
- Conclude and go to Calvary
Final Word to Ministers
If you can understand the text, follow the argument, and structure the message, you will not have to force a sermon. The sermon is already in the Scripture. Your job is to draw it out clearly, preach it faithfully, and lead the people all the way to Christ.
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