Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
Haddon Robinson opens by recalling Napoleon's instruction to his messengers: 'be clear, be clear, and be clear.' Preachers often chase too many rabbits and lose the bear, saying too much and communicating too little; less is more. Because spoken words lack punctuation and paragraph breaks, and hearers cannot mentally rewind, the preacher must work harder for clarity than a writer does. Robinson urges preachers to be able to state precisely 'what I am talking about' and 'what I am saying about it,' and expository preachers must also answer 'what's my purpose?' A good outline reads like a conversation rather than a bare skeleton. Clarity is strengthened by orienting listeners early, restating key ideas in different words, avoiding vague pronouns that require listeners to recall a distant reference, and giving a 'road map' of where the sermon is going. Visual, concrete illustrations aid clarity, but only if they truly illuminate the point rather than becoming the point. Robinson also warns against giving lengthy background before announcing the text — background should come first, then the reference, dealt with immediately. Good transitions review, anchor, and anticipate; and while a strong conclusion can bring clarity to a burning focus, it usually cannot salvage a sermon that was unclear throughout.
Key points
- Napoleon's rule for preachers: be clear, be clear, be clear — say less to communicate more.
- A preacher must be able to state precisely 'what am I talking about' and 'what am I saying about it.'
- Clarity is aided by early orientation, restating key ideas, avoiding vague pronouns, and giving a 'road map.'
- Illustrations aid clarity only when they truly illuminate the point rather than becoming the focus themselves.
- A strong conclusion can sharpen a clear sermon but usually cannot rescue one that was unclear throughout.
Key texts
- Psalm 51
From the course book
Appendix E — Clearly · pp. 109-112 (reader pages 109-112) · Open the reader
- “When Napoleon sent out his messengers he gave them three instructions: be clear, be clear, and be clear.” (p. 109)
- “So less is more.” (p. 109)
- “It's very difficult, however, for a conclusion to salvage an unclear sermon.” (p. 111)
Put it into practice
- Before preaching, write out one precise sentence answering 'what am I talking about' and one answering 'what am I saying about it.'
- Replace vague pronouns ('a second thing we must do') with the full subject repeated ('a second thing we must do to know God's will').
- Give background and context before announcing chapter and verse, then deal with the text immediately.
- Comprehension
1. What three-word instruction from Napoleon frames this chapter?
- Scripture
2. Why does Robinson say 'less is more' in preaching?
- Comprehension
3. What two questions must a preacher be able to answer to secure clarity of subject?
- Doctrinal Clarity
4. Why must oral communication work harder for clarity than written communication?
- Scripture
5. How does giving a 'road map' at the start of a sermon help clarity?
- Scripture
6. What danger does Robinson warn of with vague pronouns?
- Contrast
7. Contrast a sermon that announces its text before giving background with one that gives background first.
- Doctrinal Clarity
8. Why can a strong conclusion rarely salvage an unclear sermon?
- Application
9. Recall a sermon whose subject you could not state clearly afterward. What was missing?
- Application
10. Write one sentence stating precisely what your next sermon is about, and one stating what you will say about it.