5 Questions on Preaching with Tom Ascol

Dr. Tom Ascol has served as a pastor of Grace Baptist Church since 1986. He regularly preaches and lectures at various conferences throughout the United States and other countries. serves as the Executive Director of Founders Ministries. You may read his insights at the Founders Blog and at his personal blog – tomascol.com.

Q1: How long does it typically take you to prepare a sermon?

A: This can vary significantly depending on the circumstance. In the rhythms of my normal, weekly, pastoral preaching my sermon preparation takes 15-20 hours.

Q2: What do you ultimately want a sermon to accomplish?

A: I ultimately want God to be honored by His Word being accurately and effectively communicated. I always pray that those who hear will understand and be affected by the Word in ways that lead them to repent of sin and trust joyfully in Christ. Q3: What are one or two big mistakes people often make in preaching?

Q3: What are one or two big mistakes people often make in preaching?

A: Not depending sufficiently on the Holy Spirit and assuming too much of their hearers. Q4: How do you handle the gospel invitation and preach toward it?

Q4: How do you handle the gospel invitation and preach toward it?

A: The gospel includes a call to repent and believe. So there is no complete preaching of the gospel without expressing that in some way. I usually issue simple calls to repent and trust Christ throughout the message as exposition of the text requires. In other words, I see the whole sermon as an invitation rather than something to be employed to set up a post-sermonic call for response. Q5: What advice would you give to preachers doing pulpit supply?

Q5: What advice would you give to preachers doing pulpit supply?

A: Be simple. Be respectful of your context. Be faithful to the text. Be dependent on the Holy Spirit. Be clear on the gospel.