Why are some of our congregations not benefitting from preaching as they should? In the previous article, I drew attention to three real issues with some preaching today: first, preaching should involve dynamic proclamation rather than a dry communication of written notes; second, preaching should involve much eye contact with listeners; third, preaching should adeptly engage the hearer from the start. We continue with three further pleas from our congregations to the preachers of today.
Point to Jesus for me
I was taught early on that I needed to ask the question of my sermon preparation: ‘Where is Jesus in this?’ As I recall, both Ryle and Spurgeon pointed out that all towns in England have a ‘London Road’, referencing the capital city of the country. In the same way, all sermons should have a road leading to the Lord Jesus Christ as the ‘capital city’ of the gospel.
Preach the Word!
Having been in the pulpit for the majority of Sundays for the last 40 years, it is now quite a new experience to regularly be ‘in the pew’.
This will impact believers as they consider the Bible for themselves. If the preacher shows week by week that Jesus is at the very heart of all the books of the Bible, then the hearer will begin to think like that too.
