Here are some preaching-related resources that surfaced this past week.
The Biblical Preaching of John Calvin – Steven Lawson
We must have Calvins again. And by God’s grace, we shall see them raised up again by the Head of the church. May He give us legions of biblical expositors, as in the days of the Reformation, ready to unleash the unvarnished truth of Scripture. May we see the power of the Word preached again in this midnight hour of history. Post tenebras lux⎯after darkness, light.
How Long Does a Pastor Preach? – Tom Rainer
Most pastors preach sermons lasting in a relatively small range: from 26 minutes to 45 minutes.
Excellent, Edifying (and Even Entertaining) Sermon on a Controversial Topic – Mark Ward
One of the newest reasons I’ve come across—and one of the most powerful—for hewing to an expository preaching method is the “balance” in emphasis (if you can call it that) between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.
Preaching About the Bible Vs. Preaching the Bible – Nicholas McDonald
True preaching preaches to the heart. It exegetes the text, and it explodes into the real, grub and dirt lives of the listening dead. True preaching is a hard mirror, an unforgiving thread leading me to my knees at the cross. Real exegesis exegetes not only the text, but the hearts receiving it. It allows people to feel its heat and light, because it cuts into souls and exposes them.
Preaching Flows from Deep Within – Ray Ortland
True preaching is more than preaching truth. It is also deeply personal. It rises from within a man. He is fully aware and engaged and intelligent. But he is forced to speak, compelled not by the expectations of others around but by the power of God within.
A Sound Church: Expositional Preaching – Michael Riley
A commitment to accurate exposition of Scripture should be among our very highest priorities when we evaluate a church.
Christ-Centered Preaching and Teaching Discussion: Audio – Matt Capps
One of the highlights of the 2013 SBC was The Gospel Project‘s panel discussion on Christ-centered teaching and preaching.
Christ-Centered Hermeneutics, Part 1 – Daniel Block
Block discusses the “potential benefits and pitfalls of Christ-centered preaching.”
Christ-Centered Hermeneutics, Part 2 – Daniel Block
To me, Christo-centrism is primarily a communication issue rather than a hermeneutical issue. Authoritative interpretation will focus first on the message of any given text, and once this is established reflect on its place and significance in the broader revelatory scheme that climaxes in Jesus. Not all First Testament texts point to Christ, but all texts reveal something about God or humanity or the universe that is necessary ultimately to understand the work of Christ.
Why Should We Preach Christ in Every Sermon? – Fred Malone
“Why we should preach Christ in every sermon?”
There are two thoughts I would offer in answer to this: (1) Biblical Hermeneutics, and (2) Biblical Example.
Sermon Writer’s Block: 13 Ways to Overcome a Lack of Inspiration – ProPreacher
When in Sermon Preparation Should a Preacher Consult Commentaries? – Brian Croft
Pastors, we need to be grateful for the abundance of commentaries and theological writings about most any passage we would set to preach to our congregations. Allow them to confirm, even correct our own thoughts we have formulated in our own study, but guard from relying too much on them.
Brothers, We Are Not Movie-Hawkers . . . – Denny Burk
Your preaching agenda ought to be set for you by the text of scripture, not by a Hollywood marketing firm trying to use you for profits.
Reading the Text to Preach the Text – BibleX
One of the basic, oft repeated, and most common mistakes made in preaching is the neglect of careful reading of Scripture. The ‘preacher’ who is not immersed in the Word of God usually reads ideas into Scripture rather than being fed with ideas from Scripture. (Al Fasol)
These links and summaries are offered for your consideration and evaluation because they relate to preaching. Their inclusion does not necessarily imply my whole-hearted commendation. I can’t even recommend everything I write. As always, read with discernment.