What Makes a Good Sermon? | Dr. Jessica LaGrone | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 32

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson sits down with Dr. Jessica LaGrone, a beloved and widely respected preacher, teacher, and leader at Asbury Theological Seminary, for an in-depth conversation on the art, theology, and practice of preaching. Drawing from years of experience in the pulpit and the classroom, Dr. LaGrone offers insight into what makes preaching not just effective but transformative, helping listeners move from simply hearing Scripture to encountering Christ through it. Dr. Watson and Dr. LaGrone also discuss the hidden work of preaching, the long, often unseen process of prayer, study, editing, and discernment that shapes every message before it is ever spoken. They reflect on the challenge of communicating deep theological truth in ways that are accessible, faithful, and transformative—so that listeners don’t just understand the text, but are invited into God’s story. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Why preaching matters 2:00 What makes a sermon “good” 4:00 Scripture and the central idea 7:00 Connecting with the audience 10:00 Preaching with empathy and context 15:00 Growing as a preacher 17:00 Every sermon points to the gospel 23:00 Jessica LaGrone’s sermon preparation process 27:00 Finding clarity and cutting content 30:00 Content vs. delivery (“the container”) 33:00 Avoiding overly abstract preaching 36:00 Testimony and authenticity in preaching 38:00 Authority vs. humility 44:00 What makes preaching Wesleyan 47:00 The Holy Spirit and the power of a sermon MENTIONS Preaching — Tim Keller Preaching from the Soul — Ellsworth Kalas The Witness of Preaching — Thomas G. Long Novel Preaching — Alyce McKenzie Preaching with Empathy — Len Luchetti ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook:   / asburyseminary   Instagram:   / asburyseminary   TikTok:   / asburyseminary   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary.