Created on Monday, 31 October 2011 11:15

Preaching that gets through

What a weekend! We've just celebrated our 77th anniversary as a church, yet that's not what made it special. The building was full at each meeting, though that's not what made it memorable. The singing was heartfelt and the songs packed with gospel truth, but even that wasn't what made it so thrilling. What was it? We had preaching, true preaching, that drew us near to God. Preaching that pointed us to Jesus and impressed the glory of his grace upon our hearts.

Having sat under the preaching ministry of Stuart Olyott over the weekend I wanted to read his latest publication, 'Preaching that gets through' (published by Banner of Truth) this morning. The text of the booklet is based upon the 'Martyn Lloyd-Jones Memorial Lecture' which he delivered in September 2010. It's not long, only 34 pages, but length and weight should not be confused. This book is insightful, stimulating and contains truth that should either change your preaching or refresh in you the convictions you have long held.

I finished burdened with four telling and piercing questions of me as a preacher and the sermons I preach:

1. Do I live such a life and appear as such a person that people believe I have something to say that is worth listening to?


2. Do I love those I preach to and am I concerned more that they hear and understand the message than that they think I am a good preacher?


3. Do I have something worth saying? Have I prayed and studied myself into the text and prayed and worked out a sermon that communicates the truth of Jesus Christ?


4. Is my (and I used the word hesistantly) preaching filled with the explosive power of the Spirit?