God encouraged my heart with these quotes on preaching today. I am reminded that preachers must preach with fire, as men who have gone wild for God. Preaching is gospel-centered madness!“Preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire. A true understanding and experience of the Truth must lead to this. I say again that a man who can speak about these things dispassionately has no right whatsoever to be in a pulpit; and should never be allowed to enter one.” (Martin Lloyd-Jones)
“From the beginning of the sermon to its end, the all engrossing force of the text and the God who speaks through that text must dominate our whole being. With the burning power of that truth on our heart and lips, every thought, emotion, and act of the will must be so captured by that truth that it springs forth with excitement, joy, sincerity, and reality as an evident token that God’s Spirit is in that word. Away with all the mediocre, lifeless, boring, and lackluster orations offered as pitiful substitutes for the powerful Word of the living Lord. If that Word from God does not thrill the proclaimer and fill [him] … with an intense desire to glorify God and do His will, how shall we ever expect it to have any greater effect on our hearers?” (Walter Kaiser)
“When you study well, then you can say with a finger pointing right at them: “This is what the Word of God says.” (Jack Hughes)
“Preach with all authority and let no one disregard you.” (The Apostle Paul, Titus 2:15)
So, let us pray for men who will take God's Word and preach it with all authority, passion, boldness, and accuracy as a conduit allowing the water of the Word to pass from the Divine Source to the thirsty soul.
