Category Archives: Tips and Advice
The Art and Science of Sermon Preparation: Planning Ahead
“Habitually to come into the pulpit unprepared is unpardonable presumption.” — Charles Spurgeon There seems to be an assumption amongst many that sermons form themselves as the preacher stands in the pulpit. We preachers are often asked, half-jokingly, what we … Continue reading
7 Tips for My Younger Preacher Self
How many of us have ever wished that we could go back in time and impart the wisdom we have now to our younger selves as we embarked into the world of ministry? On the Gospel Coalition blog today, Jeramie … Continue reading
Praying Scripture to Shape Scriptural Preaching
What we pray for the people to whom we preach reflects the priorities we have for them and will impact what we preach to them. If we are faithful biblical expositors it’s probably safe to assume that our desires for … Continue reading
Save Some for Later
“Save some for later.” That’s what I was advised one All Saints’ Day after I’d foolishly preached for almost fifty minutes on the day’s Gospel (St. Matthew 5:1-12). Yes, I decided to tackle all eight beatitudes in one sermon. It … Continue reading
The Application Grid
Application is the key difference between teaching and preaching. Expositional preaching is often dismissed as irrelevant—as being little more than a running Scripture commentary from the pulpit. Sadly that criticism is often true. I’ve heard sermons that sound as though … Continue reading
Should I quote it or should I say it in my own words?
“Should I quote it or should I say it in my own words?” It’s a question preachers—at least this preacher—ask frequently as we pore over commentaries and old sermons by famous preachers. As a general rule I do my own … Continue reading
A Preacher’s Decalogue
What can a master preacher tell us about the do’s and don’ts, the must’s and musn’ts of pulpit ministry? Sinclair Ferguson gives us a look in this extremely helpful essay: 1. Know your Bible better 2. Be a man of … Continue reading
Preaching and the Propers
How does a preacher approach the propers? I recall my first preaching assignment when I was a postulant and sopping wet behind the ears. I took one look at the Epistle and Gospel lessons and threw up my hands. What … Continue reading
Four Indispensable Qualities of Good Preaching
Kevin DeYoung has posted some excellent comments on preaching on the Gospel Coalition blog this morning. What he has to say is certainly spot on: I’m no expert in preaching. But I do it lot and I try to help … Continue reading
Exposition Begins with Reading
David Lang, at the Accordance blog has some very good things to say about the nature of exposition and how exposition has to start with our reading—really reading and understanding—the text. Lang writes: What is exposition? Here’s a great explanation from … Continue reading
The Anglican Expositor 