what is a sermon in church

A sermon is a religious discourse or oration delivered by a preacher, usually a member of the clergy, to a congregation in a place of worship. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, and are typically based on a passage from the Bible. The purpose of a sermon is to "break open" the Word of God and proclaim the gospel in the context of the readings from scripture, the liturgical occasion, the congregation gathered, and the pastoral needs of the situation. In many Christian contexts, especially Protestant ones, the sermon is the focal point of the worship experience. The sermon is a liturgical event that happens in the context of worship, and it is an extension of the gospel, and therefore in its very nature is the proclamation of Good News. The Christian story, the congregations story, and the preachers story can be the one story of Gods love that is proclaimed in the sermon. A short sermon is often called a "homily".