How to Fix Shallow Sermon Application 🛠️

McKay Caston

1d • Sermon Prep

As a pastor for over three decades, I can relate to the struggle.

The sermon application struggle.

We're good at explaining the text. But application is hard because it requires a different homiletical muscle.

So we default to shallow, surface-level application.

Here's the difference.

Shallow application says: "This passage teaches us to love our enemies, so this week, be nice to that difficult coworker."

Deep application asks: "What does it reveal about my heart that I've labeled this person my enemy? What am I protecting? How does the gospel dismantle my need to be right, to be vindicated, to be superior?"

A shallow application says, "Jesus calls us to generosity, so start by giving 5% more this week."

Deep application probes: "Where have I made money my functional savior? What am I afraid will happen if I loosen my grip? How does my spending reveal what I truly believe about God's provision? What would it look like to live like a beloved, adopted child vs an orphan with my finances?"

Shallow application says, "We should forgive because God forgave us. So forgive your spouse."

Deep application wrestles: "Why does my identity still depend on holding this grudge? What payoff am I getting from my bitterness? How have I made myself the victim and them the villain? What would it cost me to release my right to revenge... and why does that feel like death?"

The difference isn't just depth.

It's direction.

Shallow application points outward to behavior modification.

Deep application points inward toward heart exposure, then upward to gospel rescue.

Surface-level application gives us the illusion of control.

We can measure it. Track it. Check it off.

Attend church every week. Read three chapters daily. Pray for ten minutes. Volunteer once a quarter. Give a percentage. Post a Bible verse.

Surface application feels doable in our own strength.

Deep application is terrifying because it requires total surrender.

It means admitting we can't fix ourselves or bear fruit apart from Jesus.

It means facing the idols we've built, the lies we've believed, the wounds we've buried.

Surface application keeps us busy.