“Unprepared application usually means reptitive application. Mentally tired after explaining the text, a preacher often defaults to the well-worn ruts of application he has traveled down time and again in the past” (Murray, How Sermons Work, p. 111).
The First to Hear
“He who preaches must preach to himself first of all. His preaching must first grip his soul, and must be a testimony from God to his own soul” (Kuyper, Our Worship, p. 192).
Calvin on Redemptive/Historical Preaching
“If we leave it to men’s choices to follow what is taught them, they will never move one foot. Therefore, the doctrine of itself can profit nothing at all” (John Calvin, as quoted in Murray, How Sermons Work, p. 108).
Thoughtful Choices
“Thoughtful planning should be the norm. The minister should not be like a pharmacist who fumbles in the dark for a pot or flask from the shelves to help a patient” (Kuyper, Our Worship, p. 188).
Maturation of Ministry
“No minister will see fruit upon his labors unless he first plows, then sows, harrows, weeds, waters, protects against birds, and then gradually lets the seed grow to full fruition. To build and edify a congregation through the Word takes time and effort, and requires knowledge of human character and a solid method. This means …
Long Haul Preaching
“But it goes without saying that he cannot remedy every stiuation with one sermon; instead he will have to chart a path along which his sermons can move for a year or longer, so that he may gradually accomplish his goal. All along he will have to remind himself that he will not reach his …
Pulpit Freedom
“Although it is true that the service of the Word also falls under liturgical rules, we must nevertheless concede at once that in preaching no unnecessary restrictions be imposed on the minister. More than with any other part of the service, in preaching the minister must produce the fruit of his own thinking and reflection, …
Life Wreckage as Raw Material
“On the other hand, if you preach them the weird Good News of the God incarnate who makes the wrecks of their lives his favorite workshop, they’ll frown — and give you all the hassles they can dish out. They don’t like being bitten by the Gospel. They’d rather be gummed to death by platitudes” …
In Velvet Pants
“Don’t spend any time worrying about your critics, real or imagined. Don’t pander to them; annoy them, rattle their cages. You’re supposed to be a rotten little kid, remember? Stop trying to come across to them, as the French . . . say, ‘like an infant Jesus in velvet pants.'” (Capon, The Foolishness of Preaching, …
Bores for Jesus
“Unless you’re a lot better than most preachers, you’re infected with the notion that respectable writing calls for a voice that’s serious to the point of stuffiness” (Capon, The Foolishness of Preaching, p. 130).