Preaching Sermons of Others Is Not Wrong

I’m going to outline why preaching someone else’s sermon is not wrong in this article. Forgive my anger, but I’m so tired of people acting as if repeating something we’ve heard is somehow stealing or, as the world labels it, plagiarism. This is worth writing a thorough paper on, and I may do so eventually. For now, let’s address this false doctrine.

To start, I haven’t read other articles on this topic, nor will I spend time researching this misinformed perspective. As someone who advanced to a master’s-level in Christian Apologetics, I am well aware of the scholarly view that using someone else’s words lacks integrity. While I respect the importance of academic honesty, let me be clear: that argument doesn’t apply to preaching. The most dangerous approach to preaching is originality!

Now, full disclosure—our organization offers sermon outlines for sale, and some might assume I’m defending a business model. Nonsense! The Bible asks, “What profit has a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). Our founder is transparent and frequently shares his past mistakes and doctrinal shifts.

For example, in his younger years, he once taught that women shouldn’t preach, based on limited scriptures. However, after deeper study, he realized this position wasn’t biblically sound, repented, and moved forward. The point is, if the Bible showed us that selling or sharing sermons is sinful, this entire business would be shut down immediately and with no further question. Our souls are worth far more than any business.

So, why do I believe preaching someone else’s sermon isn’t unbiblical? Let me give you three overarching reasons (among many more):

1. The Mission of the Church Relies on Repetition

The church’s mission is to proclaim the same gospel message that began with Jesus and was passed down through the apostles. Preaching, by its very nature, is repeating what has been taught. Here are just a few scriptures verifying this fact:

• “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psa. 96:3).

• “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matt. 10:7).

• “Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).

• “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

• “How can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14-15).

• “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2).

The Bible clearly commands us to repeat what we have learned. That is the heart of God’s plan to reconcile the world to Himself (2 Cor. 5:18-19, Col. 1:19-20, Rom. 5:10). The very act of preaching relies on repeating the gospel—sermons that originated with Christ and His apostles.

2. Apostolic Authority Endorses Repetition

The teachings of Jesus gave His apostles the authority to pass on what they learned. Repeating these teachings is not just acceptable—it’s a direct command. Consider these passages:

• “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:3).

• “What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matt. 10:27).

• “The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

• “You will be His witness to all people of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:15).

These scriptures demonstrate that repeating the words of others, especially those inspired by God, is not only biblical but essential to the faith. The notion that doing so is somehow wrong is absurd.

3. The Entire Bible Is Built on Repetition

Let’s be honest—every sermon preached today is built on words that originated with someone else. The entire Bible is a collection of teachings, stories, and doctrines that have been passed down through generations. Preaching is about faithfully proclaiming these truths, not inventing something new.

What bothers me most about this misguided perspective is that it reveals a lack of depth in biblical understanding. Those who condemn preaching someone else’s words often hold inconsistent or hypocritical positions.

For example:

• Some insist that using others’ words is “stealing,” yet fail to recognize that every preacher draws from scripture and church tradition.

• Others condemn one sin, like same-sex marriage, while ignoring cohabitation outside of marriage, as if some sins are acceptable while others are not.

The real issue isn’t repeating someone else’s words. It’s when people misuse these words to deceive or manipulate others for personal gain.

Where Do Sermons Originate

The idea that sermons belong to any one person is absurd on its face. When it comes to preaching—where words are supposedly revealed by the Holy Spirit—claiming personal ownership is, in itself, theft. I won’t waste any more space presenting the biblical evidence that the Word of God, as recorded in the Holy Bible, can never truly be "learned." It is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

Those who claim that what the Spirit reveals to them is theirs exclusively not only deny the foundation of the gospel—to pass on what has been taught to us—but they also blaspheme the Lord God. Think about this for a moment: Imagine you just read a book, and a few weeks later, a friend says, “Hey, could you give a book I wrote a quick read and let me know what you think?”

You sit down with their book, but before you even finish the first chapter, it hits you. Even though the writer and publishing company are different, the story feels so familiar that it becomes obvious: this is nothing more than a copy of the original source, just with some of the wording changed.

Now, the “be original with the gospel” crowd would have you believe that their “re-write” of a 1,900-year-old book is their exclusive property. And yet, at the same time, they claim that their words are revealed by the Holy Spirit. Do you see the contradiction? These people are the lying thieves, not those who openly proclaim the gospel taught to them by another.

Warnings Against False Prophets

The Bible does warn against false prophets who misuse others’ words. Jeremiah 23:30 and Ezekiel 13:6-7 speak against those who falsely claim God’s words as their own. The New Testament also warns about leaders who “draw away disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30) or “introduce destructive heresies” (2 Pet. 2:1-3). These warnings are not about repeating true teachings but about corrupt motives and deception.

Final Thoughts

At its core, preaching is about faithfully proclaiming what we have seen, heard, and learned. Those who claim otherwise misunderstand the nature of preaching and the biblical mandate to share the gospel. Whether you’re repeating a sermon from a YouTube preacher or sharing insights from scripture, the goal is the same: advancing the Kingdom of God.

Yes, there are false ministers who use borrowed sermons to impress others, maintain power, or deceive. But the problem isn’t the repetition—it’s the intent behind it. True preachers are called to humbly share God’s word, whether they write their own sermons or draw from others. Let’s stop confusing faithful repetition with falsehood and focus on what truly matters: sharing the gospel with a lost world.