“The preacher must recognize that spiritual warfare is taking place as people are thinking through the implications of the truth”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 195
Keeping It Honest
“It is important though that the prayer be a genuine prayer rather than an introduction to the sermon”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 190
Credit It, Of Course, But Especially Live It
“This activity of relating the message to the life of the preacher is especially significant if the preacher is preaching a lot of material he has gleaned from others . . . The bigger issue is that the ‘borrowed’ material needs to become a message that can be preached authentically through the preacher . . . You can use it, giving due credit; but make sure you have ‘heard’ it and responded to it, that the message is yours by virtue of personal submission and commitment.”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 178
Confession of Sin as Sermon Prep
“Personal spiritual issues, also, must be dealt with in this regard. In fact, certain issues in the preacher’s life should be dealt with as part of sermon preparation. If not, the spiritual blocks can remain, denying the preacher the liberty to hear, see, respond to, and rejoice in the truth personally.”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 109
As They Marinate
“Messages mature over time.”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 106
That You Might Not Meander
“Time must be set aside for the preparation of specific messages. Quality time must be be guarded for sermon preparation.”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 105
True Care
“The care of souls makes so many demands that even in a small congregation it cannot be properly exercised by just one or a few.”
Bucer, Concerning the True Care of Souls, p. 58
Keep the Recipes
“Every message needs to be fresh, but the wise preacher saves study notes, outlines, and complete manuscripts.”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 95
Family Qualifications
“The church’s ministers are to be chosen from those who are, firstly, blameless in the sight of all, with a good reputation as far as they themselves, and also their wives, children, and servants are concerned.”
Bucer, Concerning the True Care of Souls, p. 46
As in a Decision
“We should never leave the pulpit without calling for a verdict.”
Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, p. 77