Preaching
A Lecture on Preaching
Scripture
Sermon Description
How much value is there in a sermon not delivered? Clearly, the mere research and writing of a manuscript or sermon outline cannot be considered preaching. Preaching is both the sermon and the act of delivering the message, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In this lecture on preaching, he focuses on the general elements preachers need to be aware of for their calling. While Dr. Lloyd-Jones avoids providing the preacher rules or regulations for preaching, he does propose a number of important traits and qualities required for proper delivery of the word of God to the people of God. Based upon his many years of experience, the British evangelical preacher shares perhaps some unfamiliar words of wisdom on preaching that contemporary preachers need. How does one approach the art of preaching? Have they thought about the role of authority, persuasion, or zeal in preaching? Does being serious about preaching mean being dull or boring? Allow Dr. Lloyd-Jones to help preachers think about their own approach to sermon delivery by listening to this lecture from the series on “Preaching and Preachers”.
Sermon Breakdown
- Preaching involves the whole personality of the preacher including the body. The preacher should not stand like a statue.
- The preacher should have a sense of authority and control over the congregation. He should not be apologetic or tentative. He is speaking with authority as an ambassador of God.
- The preacher must have freedom and flexibility. He should not be too tied to his preparation. He must be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
- The preacher should derive inspiration from the congregation. There is an element of exchange and interaction between the preacher and congregation.
- The preacher must be serious as he is dealing with holy and solemn matters. However, seriousness does not mean dullness. The preacher must be lively.
- The preacher must have zeal, enthusiasm and concern. He must be gripped by the message himself.
- The preacher must have warmth and passion. He should not be cold or clinical. His heart must be engaged.
- The preacher must make contact with the congregation. There must be intimacy and rapport.
- The preacher must have a sense of urgency. The matters he is dealing with cannot be postponed. Life is fleeting.
- The preacher must aim to persuade the congregation. He wants them to understand and respond to the message.
- The preacher must have pathos and emotion. He must show compassion for the people. The message itself is deeply moving.
- The preacher must have power and unction. It is God working through him. The Holy Spirit must be evident.
- True preaching requires both the sermon and the act of preaching. Both are essential. The sermon provides light, the act of preaching provides heat.
- The chief end of preaching is to give people a sense of God and his presence.
Sermons: Preaching and Preachers
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.