Alternatively Titled: A Resource List of Sermons
In the last year I have taken to the adage, “A sermon a day keeps the heresy away.” I have committed to reading and/or listening to a sermon every day and it has paid dividends in my own preaching life. For the preacher, or for preaching student-practitioners, there is something particularly formative about reading a sermon manuscript or listening to a sermon preached. When I see how someone else interacts with a difficult text or moves seamlessly from exegesis to application, or who has mastery over language, cadence, and tone, it sets my heart on fire.
Not every preacher, sermon writer, or preaching style appeals to every person. I happen to love the way that Fleming Rutledge engages the text with exegetical precision and pastoral sensitivity, but you may prefer the lengthy, fiery sermons of Martyn Lloyd Jones or the magnificent mastery of the English language by Joy J. Moore. Either way, find preachers whom you like and drink deeply from them. Bonus points if you find preachers who aren’t your cup of tea and see if you can learn anything from them. The best preachers, in my opinion, are those who are always learning, stretching, and growing in their craft.
I have plenty that I’d like to say and share about the craft of preaching and sermon writing, but for now I want to offer a “so far” list of resources. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments. I am well aware that this list is incomplete and in-exhaustive (even if you find it exhausting!). Consider it a “work in progress” rather than the “final product.” These are resources that I have personally found helpful in my own quest to sharpen my preaching, both in writing and delivery. I have limited my list to sermons and have not included books about sermons, preaching, or homiletics (that is a different list for another time). Last note, I could go on and describe each of these preachers, their styles and skillsets, but I want to let their work speak for itself. I commend each of these resources to you, but you will have to decide if they are “for you.” Cheers!
Fleming Rutledge – my personal favorite for reading and listening
And God Spoke to Abraham: Preaching from the Old Testament
Not Ashamed of the Gospel: Sermons from Paul’s Letter to the Romans
The Undoing of Death: Sermons for Holy Week and Easter
Three Hours: Sermons for Good Friday
Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ
Walter Brueggemann
The Collected Sermons of Walter Brueggemann – Three Volume Set
You can find many other compilations of Walter’s sermons on Amazon, but I think the 3-volume set is the best way to go. You can also visit his website here.
Eugene Peterson
Lights a Lovely Mile: Collected Sermons of the Church Year
As Kingfishers Catch Fire: A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed by the Words of God
Karl Barth
Deliverance to the Captives
Call From God: New Sermons from Basel Prison
Barbara Brown Taylor
Gospel Medicine
God in Pain: Teaching Sermons on Suffering
Mixed Blessings
Home By Another Way
Bread of Angels
Tim Keller
Tim Keller Sermon Podcast by Gospel in Life
Martyn Lloyd Jones
MLJ Sermons
MLJ Sermon Podcast
Joy J. Moore, Matthew Skinner, and Luther Seminary
“The Craft of Preaching (2019)”
Festival of Homiletics
2023 Festival Recordings (for purchase)
Stanley Hauerwas
Disrupting Time: Sermons, Prayers, and Sundries
Without Apology: Sermons for Christ’s Church
Will Willimon
The Collected Sermons of William H. Willimon
Willimon has a ton of lectionary resources in his 6-volume series on RCL Years A, B, and C (each year has two parts).
Alexander Schmemann
Celebration of Faith, Vol. 1 – I Believe
Celebration of Faith, Vol. 2 – The Church Year
Celebration of Faith, Vol. 3 – The Virgin Mary
Rob Bell
The Goat Has Left the Building
Fuller Theological Seminary
Sermons – Fuller Studio
Porter C. Taylor 