Preaching Coach Podcast with Dr. David Allen

In this episode, Dr. David Allen interviews Olivier Melnick, the founder and executive director of Shalom in Messiah Ministries. The son of Holocaust survivors from France, Olivier is an international speaker, an authority on the topic of antisemitism, and the author of seven books. This discussion centers around the root of antisemitism, how it has expanded in recent years, and what Christians can do to help combat it.

In this episode—the second in a two-part series—on the Preaching Coach Podcast, Dr. David Allen interviews Dr. Jim Sibley on the topic of Israel, specifically discussing replacement theology and whether the church has replaced Israel. Dr. Sibley and his wife served as missionaries in Israel for 16 years, and he currently serves as a Research Professor at Israel College of the Bible.

In this episode—the first in a two-part series—on the Preaching Coach Podcast, Dr. David Allen interviews Dr. Jim Sibley on the topic of Israel.  Dr. Sibley and his wife served as missionaries in Israel for 16 years, and he currently serves as a Research Professor at Israel College of the Bible.

In this episode of the Preaching Coach Podcast, Dr. David Allen takes a look back at 2025 and discusses what lies ahead for the ministry in 2026 including events, coaching opportunities, new resources, and more.

In this year’s final episode of the Preaching Coach Podcast, we share the most popular episode from all of 2025, Anatomy of a Sermon. In this episode, Dr. David Allen discusses the various aspects and functions of a sermon, comparing it to the anatomical design and study of the body.

Anatomy is the branch of science that studies the physical structure of the human body. It focuses on the physical arrangement of body parts, including cells, tissues, organs, and systems. Anatomy can be broadly divided into two types: gross anatomy (macroscopic) and microscopic anatomy.

Key aspects of anatomy:
Gross anatomy: Examines structures visible to the naked eye, including bones, muscles, organs, and organ systems.
Microscopic anatomy: Studies the microscopic structures of the body, including cells and tissues, using instruments like microscopes.
Subdivisions of gross anatomy: Include surface anatomy (examining the surface of the body), regional anatomy (focusing on specific regions), and systemic anatomy (studying the body systems). Importance: Anatomy is essential. It provides a foundational understanding of the human body for healthcare professionals, artists, and scientists.
Human Anatomy: Human anatomy involves the study of the physical structure of the human body. It focuses on numerous systems, including circulatory, digestive, endocrine, skeletal, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and muscular systems.

Sermon Anatomy – Effective Sermons:INTERPRETATION - What is the meaning of the text? Determining textual meaning is the essential first step.
TRANSLATION - The job of the preacher is to transfer the meaning of the text to the audience in terms and contexts they understand. This is a kind of “translation,” reproducing textual meaning via the sermon. 
ORGANIZATION - In order to accomplish #2, every sermon should be structured for maximum effect. Thus, a sermon should contain the following 7 elements: Exposition – Explaining the meaning of the text
Illustration – Elucidating the meaning of the text
Application – Applying the warranted meaning of the text
Imagination – Helping people penetrate reality
Argumentation – Proving the point of the text via its logic
Motivation – Moving the will to obey - (via rhetoric, passion, exhortation, etc.)
Exhortation – Telling them what to believe and practice; to do and not to do 

COMMUNICATION - Connecting with people via content and style
PASSION - Passion for Christ, the Word, and people expressed in delivery
PERSUASION - Preaching to convince people to think & act biblically. Behavior is based on belief. Change how people think, and you will change how they behave. (James 1:22)
TRANSFORMATION – Information is not transformation. Life transformation is the goal of preaching. Salvation of the lost; edification of the saved.