I've been reading "The Supremacy of God in Preaching" by John Piper lately and slowly digesting it. I want to be able to share clearly and in a compelling manner the good news or gospel of Jesus Christ and his saving grace.
I'm currently reading Chapter 4 "The Gravity and Gladness of Preaching. Pastor Piper's thesis is this: "Gladness and gravity should be woven together in the life and preaching of a pastor in such a ways as to sober the careless soul and sweeten the burdens of the saints."
While my teaching/preaching opportunities focus mainly on the our youth group (7th-12th grade) and occasionally the pulpit I find these suggestions very helpful for all teaching preparation. Perhaps they may encourage you as well.
7 practical suggestions for cultivating gravity and gladness in your preaching
- Strive for practical, earnest, glad-hearted holiness in every area of your life
- Make your life - especially the life of your study - a life of constant communion with God in prayer.
- Read books that were written by men or women who bleed Bible when you prick them and who are blood-earnest about the truths they discuss.
- Direct your mind often to the contemplation of death.
- Consider the biblical teaching as a preacher you will be judged with greater strictness.
- Consider the example of Jesus. He was as kind and tender and gentle as a righteous man could be.
- Finally, strive with all the strength you have to know God and to humble yourself under his mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6)
I find this to be both encouraging and difficult as I try to navigate my everyday life and be an effective pastor and communicator. Personally my greatest hope in achieving and executing any of these suggestions is that if I can "abide" in Christ (John 15), I will, in God's power have a fruitful ministry. God has made it clear in my life that if anything good or great will come out of my ministry it will be in his power not mine.
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