1. You never preach well enough to convert a single person. That is, unless you believe that faith is an ability of man generated to decision by the persuasive abilities of the preacher. But I don’t believe that saving faith is a natural ability of man. Faith is a sovereign grace-gift of God which comes to those who hear the Word of Christ (Eph 2:8-9; Phil 1:29). Therefore, I must not try to use my oratory gifts or unbiblical strategies to push a hearer into decisionism. Rather, because I believe that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ, I must use all my ability to preach the Word of Christ with clarity, to preach Christ with sincere unction, but always relying upon the sovereign work of the Spirit to bring faith and the new birth.
This is what made Spurgeon and Lloyd-Jones such great preachers. They knew that their calling was to proclaim Christ and Him crucified; but they also knew that only truth made plain and applied by the Spirit would convert a single soul. They were not men of ego. They were amazed that God would use them at all as the conduit of truth applied by the Spirit to men’s hearts. There is no room for ego, bragging, or pride in preaching. Such an attitude betrays the true heart of the preacher. Preaching is the most humbling thing a man can do. It is foolishness to the unbeliever unless God regenerates him/her. It is humbling to the preacher that he is powerless to change anyone unless God decides to have mercy by His Word and Spirit in the sinner’s heart. Truly the foolishness of preaching Christ gives glory only to God. You never preach well enough to convert a single person. Read More
Also See:
How to Preach Creative and Faithful Sermons [Video]
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