These are some notes that I took from my professor today in my "Effective Sermon Delivery" class at seminary. This was in response to a student's question as to whether preachers should use the 2nd person "you" in outlines and application or the 1st person "we" (to include himself) in the sermon. Here is what Dr. Jack Hughes said:A preacher is not someone who is there among his congregation as someone who is just to share some concepts about God. He is there to preach w/ boldness, authority, the authority inherent in the word of God and to command people.
Paul says: “Prescribe (i.e. “command”) these things” – military connotations
Don’t fear using the 2nd person.
Yet, you don’t want to preach as someone totally apart from the congregation.
Cf. JC Ryle’s sermon – tons of “you … you… you… you”
When you’re preaching it is authoritative, bold, one-way preaching to them from the authoritative text.
I am commanded by God to teach w/ all authority, to teach the whole counsel of God and let no one disregard me”
It has nothing to do w/ you looking down upon people. That is not the case. If you are preaching God’s Word, you are speaking DOWN – from God – to them.
If you’re preaching God’s word, then tell them what they need to hear.
In Hebrews it says, “Today if you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts…” – well how do they hear? By a preacher.