I loved everything you said. I particularly enjoyed the idea of connecting each message to the gospel as a whole. One thing that I would add is that we must preach in the power of the Holy Spirit. What set the sermons of Wesley and Whitefield and every other great preacher apart was not their clarity and pathos-although those were definitely present. What set them apart was the power of the Holy Spirit resting on them. The best sermons are born out of prayer even more than they are born out of study and preparation. When I’ve preached in the power of the Spirit, I’ve seen God move in ways that went beyond what my mere words could accomplish. As Wesley puts it, “In using all means, seek God alone. In and through every outward thing, look only to the power of His Spirit, and the merits of His Son” (How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer). The five attributes that you mentioned anointed by the Spirit will make for a sermon that changes the heart and transforms the mind.
Five excellent points, sir. Thank you.
I loved everything you said. I particularly enjoyed the idea of connecting each message to the gospel as a whole. One thing that I would add is that we must preach in the power of the Holy Spirit. What set the sermons of Wesley and Whitefield and every other great preacher apart was not their clarity and pathos-although those were definitely present. What set them apart was the power of the Holy Spirit resting on them. The best sermons are born out of prayer even more than they are born out of study and preparation. When I’ve preached in the power of the Spirit, I’ve seen God move in ways that went beyond what my mere words could accomplish. As Wesley puts it, “In using all means, seek God alone. In and through every outward thing, look only to the power of His Spirit, and the merits of His Son” (How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer). The five attributes that you mentioned anointed by the Spirit will make for a sermon that changes the heart and transforms the mind.
This is excellent. Thank you.
Experience is a good teacher.
As were my seminary professors - one of whom reminded our class that a sermon was, first & foremost, an auditory experience. Not a written one.
Also,
Preaching has definitely made me a better preacher.
I’d also add that humility is a good thing to carry into the pulpit (& preparation time…)