Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Something Very Great is at Stake

Preparing for our elder training meeting tonight has reminded me afresh just how influential Piper's The Supremacy of God in Preaching has been in my life over the last 10+ years. I'm aware of how far I have to go in striving to be a faithful preacher. But, I'm also aware of how trivial my preaching would be had God not brought this powerful little book my way.

Looking back through my original copy with its ink-stained pages has freshly given me resolve to preach the Word in the power of the Spirit for the glory of God and the joy of my people's souls.

In chapter 7, Piper ends the book with 10 characteristics of good preaching:

1. Stir Up Holy Affections (target the heart).
2. Enlighten the Mind.
3. Saturate with Scripture.
4. Employ Analogies and Images.
5. Use Threat and Warning.
6. Plead for a Response.
7. Probe the Workings of the Heart.
8. Yield to the Holy Spirit in Prayer.
9. Be Broken and Tenderhearted.
-“There is in the Spirit-filled preacher a tender affection that sweetens every promise and softens with tears every warning and rebuke.”
10. Be Intense.
-“Good preaching gives the impression that something very great is at stake.”

1 comment:

BoldLion said...

I am so thankful for the Lord to guide you and had you to read this book more than 10 years ago. The Lord is so good.

I am also so thankful for John Piper too and his hunger to share this with you all pastors/elders out there to have the same kind of hunger to eat His Word and to preach His Word. Again, The Lord is so good.

I will continue to be praying for the Elders meeting that you are doing tonight and other nights! Also be praying for the future and current elders as well.

Hungry to eat His Word,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion