Sermon

A sermon is a religious discourse delivered during a worship service by a clergy member or other designated preacher. It typically interprets sacred texts and applies their lessons to present-day life, guiding beliefs, ethics, and behavior of the audience.

The term sermon comes from Latin sermo, meaning "conversation" or "speech." In different religious traditions, similar addresses may be called a homily, a khutbah, or a lecture; the exact role and authority of the speaker vary across communities.

In Christian practice, sermons are usually part of a liturgy after readings from scripture and may be expository, which explains a passage, or topical, drawing on themes across multiple texts. They may also include exhortation, praise, or practical application.

Delivery styles range from prepared, formal expositions to more spontaneous exhortations. Sermons vary in length by tradition and context, and may be delivered from a pulpit, a podium, or in a digital format. The rhetoric emphasizes clarity, persuasion, and pastoral exhortation.

Historically, preaching has played a central role in many religious movements. Early Christian preaching shaped doctrine and communal life; medieval homilies followed liturgical seasons; the Protestant Reformation elevated preaching as a primary means of instruction. Other traditions include Islamic khutbahs, which are delivered on Fridays and at religious celebrations.

The purpose of a sermon is to teach, persuade, comfort, and mobilize listeners to live according to their beliefs. It serves as a vehicle for interpretation of sacred texts, moral reflection, and community formation, though it can also be a source of controversy.