Power Preaching

All those who preach want their preaching to have impact. I suspect that in all those who preach, this desire is born of a mixture of two other desires, the desire to have congregants and the kingdom blessed, and the less spiritual desire to have the congregation see the preacher as a blessing. Those preachers who are a bit stronger in the more healthy desire better recognize that the power is in the text look down their noses at any sort of sermon delivery that veers from the Puritan model, where sermons were read to the congregation in a dull, dry monotone. The motives are good. The execution, not so much.

On the other side of the spectrum are those who struggle a bit more with the need to be the star of the show. These preachers study the techniques of the best showmen, turning preaching into performance. They may have their flock weeping, or more likely, laughing in the aisles. They may draw large crowds and bountiful accolades. The true impact, however, will tend to remain minimal.

The truth is the power is in the Word. Theatrics have a power, but not the power. Theatrics elicits a response, but not growth in grace. The truth is also, however, that the power of the Word comes when its power is brought with it. To preach God’s Word as if one were reading a telephone book (ask your parents if you don’t know what that is) is tantamount to lying. This method sends the message that the message is unimportant, impotent, boring. It may be on the opposite side of the spectrum of preaching in an Elmer Fudd voice, but both reveal the obvious truth that how we communicate impacts what we communicate.

To under-shepherd well begins with knowing one is a sheep first. And a sheep that is prone to wander. To preach the gospel well one must not just understand the gospel well, but experience it in power. That’s not bells and whistles but brokenness and tears. To preach well the pastor must know he is preaching not for himself but to himself. Every week at Sovereign Grace Fellowship I preach five things. I preach the text. I preach how the text demonstrates that we are in ourselves wretched and blind sinners. I preach how the text demonstrates that we are not in ourselves, but in Him who has redeemed us to the uttermost. I preach how the text demonstrates that our heavenly Father loves us infinitely, immutably and by name. Finally, I preach the table, that “sermon” Jesus gave us to teach us the same truths.

I preach this way because I want my preaching to have impact. I preach this way because this is the kind of preaching that has impacted me. I preach this way because I want to communicate not, “Be like me” but “Come with me.” As the saying goes, I’m just a beggar telling other beggars where to find bread.