This is what should routinely happen to the preacher: the message should work its way through his whole intellectual and moral being as he prepares for and practices the proclamation of God's Word. When the message has affected him deeply, then he is ready to preach. Sermon preparation is twenty hours of prayer. It is humble, holy, critical thinking. It is repeatedly asking the Holy Spirit for insight. It is the Word penetrating into the depths of the preacher's own soul. It is ongoing repentance. It is utter dependence. It is a singing heart.
Monday, January 27, 2014
A Brief Description of Sermon Preparation
I love this paragraph by Kent Hughes from his article, "Reading the Bible for Preaching and Public Worship," in the ESV Study Bible:
