Alliterated Sermon Outlines

[Balance]

I was raised in an area where the measure of a pastors giftedness was his ability to alliterate sermon outlines and yell very loudly. Now, I'm no against either of those things, and am very much in favor of both of them. My question is, do you use (if you preach) alliterated outlines? If you don't preach then do you find them helpful, distracting, or aggravating or something else?

Now I should state that I preach exclusively expositional sermons (not always through books but always taking the meaning of the text for the meaning of the sermon). I have always been under the impression that the main difference between an expositional sermon and a "running commentary" was the presence of a discernible outline.

For whatever reason, I guess because alliteration is so huge in this area, I find myself alliterating outlines without thinking too much about it and I try (emphasis on try) never to force my alliteration into the passage. In other words I have a lot more 2 or 5 point sermons than I do perfect 3 point sermons with 3 sub-points each. I also work incredibly hard never to say, "Let me show you 3 things". I live and die by the key-word principle.

Most of the time here lately I have just been alliterating my main points and not even having sub-points as part of an organized outline. I guess I am just wondering if I am wasting my time even trying to do this. A lot of great preachers do (did) use alliteration like Jerry Vines and John Phillips. I also notice that some guys, like John MacArthur, used to use it but have seemingly quit.

Anyway, this long post was just a desire to see what most of the church represented here was used to using or hearing in their worship lives.

For a reference here is my sermon outline for Sunday from 2 Corinthians 13:5.

'Self-Examination'
Propositional Phrase: Every believer must obey the solemn duty of self-examination which is governed by 3 "laws".
Key-Word: Laws

I. Self-Examination is Governed by the Law of Biblical Command
A. Self-Examination involves Searching Self (examine)
B. Self-Examination involves Showing Self (prove)

II. Self-Examination is Governed by the Law of Biblical Criteria
A. It is a Personal Exam (Yourselves)
B. It is a Present Exam (Ye Be)
C. It is a Profound Exam (In the faith)

III. Self-Examination is Governed by the Law of Biblical Concern
A. Paul's Concern for the Redeemed (That Christ is in you)
B. Paul's Concern for the Reprobates (Reprobates)

Thanks for bearing with me.

[Dr. Bob Griffin]

I find such (if faithful to the text) to be easy to remember and "pegs" to hang thoughts in people's minds. So I try to outline the paragraph, verse or phrase couched in simple words

This Sunday (March 21) I will bring message 3 of 8 on the Lord's Prayer.

I. PRIORITY OF GOD’S NAME
Matthew 6:9c “Your Name be Hallowed.”

A. FOCUS ON THE NAME OF GOD

1. THE NAME OF GOD
2. A TITLE IS NOT A NAME
3. MORE THAN A TITLE

B. FACETS OF GOD’S NAME

1. GOD’S CHARACTER REVEALED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
2. GOD’S CHARACTER REVEALED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

II. PRIORITY OF SANCTIFYING GOD’S NAME
Matthew 6:9c “Your Name be Hallowed.”

A. FOCUS ON SACTIFYING GOD’S NAME

1. UNDERSTANDING ARCHAIC ENGLISH
2. UNDERSTANDING HONOR
3. UNDERSTANDING SANCTIFICATION

B. FACETS OF SANCTIFYING GOD’S NAME

1. SANCTIFYING HIS NAME IN MY HEART
2. SANCTIFYING HIS NAME BY MY KNOWLEDGE
3. SANCTIFYING HIS NAME BY MY CONDUCT

III. PRIORITY OF THE FIRST PETITION
Matthew 6:9c “Your Name be Hallowed.”

A. FOCUS ON THE PETITIONS

1. POSITION AS FIRST OF SIX REQUESTS
2. POSITION OF PRIORITY

B. FACETS OF THIS PETITION

1. REVEALING GOD’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MAN
2. REVEALING MAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

[VictoryVolunteer]

I love alliterated outlines. Easier to remember.

[Fisherman]

Sometimes they make a sermon easy to remember. However, it's painful when you can tell a point was forced just to make the sermon alliterated.

[Walkin' with Jesus]

Ah always admired anyone able to alliterate accurately.

[OFIB Preacher]

I was raised in an area where the measure of a pastors giftedness was his ability to alliterate sermon outlines and yell very loudly. Now, I'm no against either of those things, and am very much in favor of both of them. My question is, do you use (if you preach) alliterated outlines? If you don't preach then do you find them helpful, distracting, or aggravating or something else?

Now I should state that I preach exclusively expositional sermons (not always through books but always taking the meaning of the text for the meaning of the sermon). I have always been under the impression that the main difference between an expositional sermon and a "running commentary" was the presence of a discernible outline.

For whatever reason, I guess because alliteration is so huge in this area, I find myself alliterating outlines without thinking too much about it and I try (emphasis on try) never to force my alliteration into the passage. In other words I have a lot more 2 or 5 point sermons than I do perfect 3 point sermons with 3 sub-points each. I also work incredibly hard never to say, "Let me show you 3 things". I live and die by the key-word principle.

Most of the time here lately I have just been alliterating my main points and not even having sub-points as part of an organized outline. I guess I am just wondering if I am wasting my time even trying to do this. A lot of great preachers do (did) use alliteration like Jerry Vines and John Phillips. I also notice that some guys, like John MacArthur, used to use it but have seemingly quit.

Anyway, this long post was just a desire to see what most of the church represented here was used to using or hearing in their worship lives.

For a reference here is my sermon outline for Sunday from 2 Corinthians 13:5.

'Self-Examination'
Propositional Phrase: Every believer must obey the solemn duty of self-examination which is governed by 3 "laws".
Key-Word: Laws

I. Self-Examination is Governed by the Law of Biblical Command
A. Self-Examination involves Searching Self (examine)
B. Self-Examination involves Showing Self (prove)

II. Self-Examination is Governed by the Law of Biblical Criteria
A. It is a Personal Exam (Yourselves)
B. It is a Present Exam (Ye Be)
C. It is a Profound Exam (In the faith)

III. Self-Examination is Governed by the Law of Biblical Concern
A. Paul's Concern for the Redeemed (That Christ is in you)
B. Paul's Concern for the Reprobates (Reprobates)

Thanks for bearing with me.

Dear Brother,
Sounds like you and I are from about the same area, as far as "sermon style!" Personally, I preach both contextual, and topical messages. I'm not sure if that first term is the right one, but that's what came to mind.
Some messages, (whether contextual, or topical,) are alliterated, and some are not. It just depends on how the LORD brings it out to me, either in reading, or personal study.
Back when I first started preaching, I used to have everything in my head, with nothing written down! I quickly figured out, that, that doesn't work (for me!) Very seldom, do I have sub-points; and it depends on the message on how many points. I've had as few as three, and more than seven at times. Me being blind, I have my own way of outline organization! I usually have my point at the beginning of a line, with the corisponding scriptures or words after, and indented two spaces on any other lines needed! That way, all the points are right there, at the first of a line. If I get in a hurry, (and I tend to do that a lot,) I can see the points! This also helps if I'm more mobile, (which I also tend to be at times!) Again, sometimes more mobile than others. It all depends on how the LORD chooses to let me be; same issue with volume!
I hope this made sence! I didn't mean to go on, but I just thought I'd tell you how this blind, old fashioned, fundamental, independent Baptist preacher does his outlines!
BTW, where are you from in western NC? You may "private message" me with the answer, if you choose. I'll be in NC, LORD-willing a couple of times in May preaching! I'm looking forward to it!
Oh, one more thing. I'm originally from the "Piedmont" area of NC;right outside of Greensboro!

[Grateful]

Sometimes they make a sermon easy to remember. However, it's painful when you can tell a point was forced just to make the sermon alliterated.

That's my sticking point, as well. Alliteration can be helpful in remembering a sermon's main points, but most of the time, I would rather a more apt, non-alliterative word be used in those cases when (as you say) "the point is forced."

[Tom Brennan]

This is probably unique to me, but I can't stand alliterated outlines. To me they greatly distract from the truths being presented, and instead draw attention to the preacher himself. They seem to emphasize his ability as a wordsmith, and come across as cute and/or preacher-focusing in lieu of truth focusing.

I've preached about 2700 times, and I think I've only preached one or two alliterated sermons, and those were alliterated accidentally.

[Science Guy]

Sometimes they make a sermon easy to remember. However, it's painful when you can tell a point was forced just to make the sermon alliterated.

I agree and its not hard to tell when I preacher struggled to make the alliteration work.

On measure, IMO not a bad way to structure a sermon.

[Castor Musculares]

I have no problem with them, but then I'm functionally alliterate.