Sermon
The talk the pastor or priest gives in a service, usually explaining and applying a Bible passage. "Homily" is the Catholic and Orthodox term and tends to be shorter; "message" is the modern evangelical one.
What they actually mean
“"The preacher's talk. Length varies by tradition; the Baptist one is longer."”
Heard in the wild
“Great message this morning — he really brought it home.”
“Father's homily was about the prodigal son.”
The Lighter Side
A sermon has three points. A homily has one. A Baptist sermon has three points and a poem, and the third point is "in conclusion," which is a lie.
The longer version
What it means
The sermon is the part of the service where one person speaks at length to everyone else, usually about a Bible passage: what it says, what it means, and what to do about it. In most Protestant churches it's the centerpiece — the reason the pastor exists and the thing people discuss at lunch. In Catholic and Orthodox liturgies it's the homily, a shorter reflection on the day's readings, and the Eucharist, not the homily, is the center.
Styles vary enormously: a Presbyterian expository sermon working through a chapter of Romans; a non-denominational "message" with slides and a practical takeaway; a Black church sermon that builds in rhythm and volume with the congregation answering back; a five-minute Catholic homily. All are the same thing: God's word, explained by a person, to a gathered people.
Why people say it
Christians believe God speaks through the preaching of scripture, not just through the reading of it. Paul told Timothy to "preach the word," and the Reformation made the sermon central on the principle that faith comes by hearing. A good sermon does something no book does: it addresses this congregation, this week, in a living voice.
How to respond
Listen, or don't; nobody's checking. If you're asked what you thought, "it gave me something to think about" is honest and safe. If a friend praises a sermon as "convicting," they mean it made them uncomfortable in a useful way. If you find a sermon long, know that congregations have opinions about that too, and that the pastor has heard them.
If you hear it in different churches
Catholic: homily, about ten minutes, on the lectionary readings. Orthodox: homily, often after the Gospel, varies in length. Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian: sermon, fifteen to twenty-five minutes, usually on the assigned readings or a series. Baptist, evangelical, non-denominational, Pentecostal: sermon or message, thirty to forty-five minutes, often topical, often with slides. Black church traditions: sermon, thirty minutes to an hour, call-and-response, building to a "whoop" or celebration.
Where does “Sermon” come from?
Ezra read and explained the Law in Nehemiah 8; Jesus preached in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4) and on the mount (Matthew 5–7); Peter's Pentecost sermon (Acts 2) is the church's first. "Homily" (Greek homilia, conversation) was the early church's word; "sermon" (Latin sermo, discourse) came through the medieval church. The Reformers restored preaching to the center of worship; Puritans preached for an hour or more. The Black church developed a distinct oral tradition from the 1700s. The modern "message" with slides and series titles is a product of the seeker-sensitive movement of the 1980s and 90s.
Good to know
Sermons come in two main types: *expository* (walking through a Bible passage verse by verse) and *topical* (a theme, with verses gathered to support it). A "sermon series" is a set of related sermons over several weeks, often with a title and graphic. Homilies at Mass are about ten minutes; evangelical sermons run thirty to forty-five; some Black church and Baptist sermons run longer and are better for it.
You might also hear
Service
Church Life & ServicesA church gathering for worship — typically on Sunday morning — with singing, prayer, scripture, a sermon, and sometimes communion, following a set order.
“"The Sunday gathering. Singing, praying, a sermon; about an hour."”
Pastor
Church Life & ServicesThe person who leads a church. The title depends on the tradition: Catholics, Orthodox, and Anglicans have priests; most Protestants have pastors or ministers; "Reverend" is a formal title for any of them.
“"The person in charge of the church. What you call them tells you what kind of church it is."”
Pulpit Supply
Ministry & LeadershipA guest preacher who fills in when a church's regular pastor is away — sick, on vacation, on sabbatical, or gone — and the arrangement by which churches find one.
“"A substitute preacher for Sunday."”
Amen
Worship & Music"Yes" or "I agree" — said at the end of prayers, and in some churches shouted mid-sermon to agree with the preacher.
“"Yes. Truly. Agreed."”
Common questions
What's the difference between a sermon and a homily?+
Mostly tradition and length. Catholics and Orthodox say "homily," and it's short and tied to the readings. Protestants say "sermon," and it's usually longer and central to the service.
How long is a sermon?+
Ten minutes in a Catholic Mass; twenty in a mainline Protestant church; thirty to forty-five in evangelical churches; longer in some Baptist and Black church settings.
What's an expository sermon?+
One that works through a Bible passage in order, explaining it verse by verse. The alternative, topical, picks a theme and gathers verses about it.
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Written by Rev. Christopher D.F. Warrington, Ordained Minister, M.Div. · Updated September 2026
This entry was compiled with AI assistance and has not yet been reviewed by an ordained pastor.