Earlier this week I posted a couple of times about default preaching. That is, the way we can easily settle into a routine structure or style of sermon. For the sake of our listeners, it is good to try adding variation to our sermons. Yet also for our own sake this is worthwhile. Not only does pushing beyond default stimulate our growth as preachers, it also rekindles our sense of dependence on God. How dangerous it is to settle into a pattern and risk preaching in our own strength! Today and tomorrow I want to share a few more areas in which default can set in, and in which we can consciously stimulate our own “beyond default preaching” . . .
1. The Start – Do you always start with a funny story or interesting statistic? Do you always begin with the thrilling phrase, “please turn with me . . .”? What can you do differently to start your next message more effectively? Remember to let your sermon purpose and the congregational need for the message loom large in your thinking.
2. Use of Voice – Basically the issue is appropriate variation. Think through the message and recognize where emphasis should come from extra volume or power, and where it could better come from less. What about rate of speech and tone? Don’t get stuck in the default middle 20%, but consciously add appropriate variation.
Biblical Preaching 
I like the idea of two introductions – a Scripture introduction if you are going to read the Scripture first, and then the actual introduction for the sermon. This way you can briefly set the context for the Scripture reading first without taking away from the actual sermon introduction following the reading.