It is not thy sermon in thy head, or notes in thy book, that will enable thee to preach, except God open thy mouth; acknowledge, therefore, God in all thy ways, and lean not to thy own understanding: the swelling of the heart, as well as of the wall, goes before a fall. How much … [Read more...]

“That minister . . . whose preaching results in the actual conversion of human beings, contributes far more, in the long run, to the progress of society, literature, art, science, and civilization, than he does, who, neglecting these themes of sin and grace, makes a direct effort … [Read more...]

“Spiritual eloquence should arise out of the preacher’s almost desperate love for the gospel truth itself and the people for whom accepting the truth is a matter of life and death” (Keller, Preaching, p. 14). … [Read more...]

“The social manners of the clergyman ought, therefore, to be a just mingling of gravity and affability” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 374). … [Read more...]

“That which a man knows with certainty, will affect his character” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 338). … [Read more...]

“Study, close, persevering study, improves his religious character. An indolent minister is not a spiritually minded man” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 326). … [Read more...]

“In this connection, the habit of dialectically discoursing in prayer, should be guarded against . . . It is only when the clergyman forgets God, and addresses the congregation, that the prayer degenerates into a sermon” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 312). … [Read more...]

“Yet, as it is the peculiar function of the preacher, as such, to address an audience, so it is the peculiar function of the audience, as such, to address God, as the result of the preacher’s address to them. Preaching should always end in worship” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral … [Read more...]

“If a thing be true, why confer with flesh and blood about it?” (Shedd, Homiletic and Pastoral Theology, p. 286). … [Read more...]