George Whitefield on Preaching
He tells his people plainly in a sermon on "Christ Our Husband' from Isaiah 54 that, "I would further observe, that if any here do expect fine preaching from me this day, they will, in all probability, go away disappointed. For I came not here to shoot over peoples heads; but, if the Lord shall be pleased to bless me, to reach their hearts."
Spurgeon says similarly in a sermon "Christ Lifted Up" to, "Burn all your manuscripts, that is
No. 1. Give up your notes, that is
No. 2. Read your Bible and preach it as you find it in the simplicity of its language.
And give up all your Latinized English. Begin to tell the people what you have felt in your own heart, and beseech the Holy Spirit to make your heart as hot as a furnace for zeal."
There is a simplicity to preaching: you, the text, and them. How can they touched by the text if you have not been? How can you be touched by the text if you don't labor in it? How can they be touched by the text if you don't know them? And of course the manner must be so sincere, so plain, so fiery, as it is a demonstration of the Spirit's power. O, the blessed foolishness of preaching by which God awakens men to Himself, and draws them nearer!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Filed under: Uncategorized