Sacramental Sermons
Prophetic, Incarnational, and Truly Transformative Preaching
- Preaching & Worship
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
For years now, Christian philosophers and theologians in the industrialized West have lamented a widespread post-Christian dynamic. A social imaginary so fiercely and exclusively secular in its orientation has succeeded in starving many people of the hope of experiencing anything supernatural in their lives. Even many churchgoers have engaged in a deconstruction of their faith. Some recent research seems to indicate, however, a slowing of this slide away from Christian faith. How will the church respond? The premise of this book is that there is (and always has been) a kind of preaching that is sacramental (encounter-enabling) in its effect. Genuinely anointed sermons are those that make it possible for hearers to sense the spiritual presence of the risen Christ during the preaching event. If there was ever a time for a widespread reemergence of Christian preaching that is prophetic in nature, incarnational in manner, and truly transformative in effect, it is now. Though this type of preaching cannot be conjured or effected by human ingenuity, there are things preachers can do to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the cultivation of ecclesial environments where sacramental sermons are more likely to occur, and with increased frequency.
Endorsements (7)
“Gary Tyra gives us preachers an engaging, encouraging look at preaching as a wonderfully Holy Spirit–induced, sacramental endeavor. Calling in a host of witnesses like Karl Barth, Phoebe Palmer, Augustine, and even me, Tyra shows how preaching is the unique work of Christ loving his people through the frail, human but Spirit-empowered words of us preachers.”
“Integrating homiletics and hermeneutics with spiritual formation and pastoral concern, as Paul did, Gary Tyra invites us to go beyond merely devising nice sermons. He summons us to welcome God to speak through us, so that our congregations encounter him in a living way, to preach in a prophetic, Spirit-empowered way that effects transformation.”
“In recalling a remarkable moment with Jesus, the two men on the road to Emmaus noted that their hearts were ‘burning within’ as Jesus unpacked the Scriptures to them. Word and Spirit, proclamation and encounter, truth and transformation—could this describe our preaching today? Sacramental Sermons is an invaluable answer to that question, written by a friend, scholar, and skilled practitioner.”
“‘God really spoke to me today!’ Through a sermon? Does the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus in real time? What if congregants could understand theologically what they are actually experiencing through genuinely anointed preaching? And what if preachers would envision their craft as Spirit-anointed sacramental preaching! Gary Tyra invites preachers to prayerfully experience the presence of Jesus during both the preparation of the sermon and its delivery.”
“Sacramental Sermons provides a welcome alternative to the glut of resources that have reduced preaching to the craft of slick rhetoric more indicative of late-night television than the communication of Eternal Truth. In a post-Christian world that starves people of hope, Sacramental Sermons offers a vision of preaching that connects people to a hope-filled encounter with the Living God.”
“I’m not part of the Pentecostal or Charismatic traditions. However, as a ‘cautious continuationist’ I still resonated deeply with Gary Tyra’s Sacramental Sermons. It’s theologically rich, historically informed, devotionally warm, and homiletically practical. I heartily commend this book to every preacher of God’s word who desires to better understand the work of the Holy Spirit in the preparation, delivery, and impact of our sermons.”
“Laying a solid foundation with clear definitions for a preliminary theology of a kind of preaching that enables a transforming encounter with God through the Holy Spirit, Dr. Tyra then seeks in his unique conversational manner to further provide practical application with concrete suggestions for living out the promise of the book. This is a book that will serve well the pastor who preaches as well as the professor who teaches preaching.”
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