How to preach?

I'm looking for thoughts and suggestions on how to learn to "preach" the gospel. How do you prepare a sermon, etc.?? Can you suggest a book or scripture or thoughts on training on how to preach. Thanks! This might be good discussion for all. ;-)Grace,Doug

To begin with:Preacher, to no other man on earth does God give such an awesome task as to you. You trade in eternal things. Yours is a calling that angels might envy. To you is given a power that hell fears above all other powers on earth.You are a divine delegate, a God-endued ambassador, a plenipotentiary. Life and death are in your hands. To some your message is a savor of death, but to others your words are a savor of life unto life.Leonard RavenhillSodom had no Bible

I quite enjoyed Martyn Lloyd-Jones's "Preaching and Preachers." Many practical nuggets of wisdom in it.Preaching is not a "how-to" type of deal. Either you can, or you can't. There might be practical nuggets of wisdom you might learn to aid your preaching, but the ability to truly preach with the anointing of the Holy Spirit is a gift, not a skill. As Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle said, Jesus was not asked by the disciples, "Lord, teach us to preach." Rather, they asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." Pray, fast, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Only then will you know how to preach, as the Holy Spirit will show you what you must say. If you are wondering about outlines... take a public speech class at your local community college, they'll be able to teach you just fine how-to put together an outline. Toss about 90% of the stuff they'll teach you about things such as oratory.

Where do you find Preaching and Preachers?Doug

Preaching and Preachers canbe found here:http://www.discerningreader.com/exbymarlloy.html

Where do you find Preaching and Preachers?Amazon.com will have it for about $15. There are probably copies for sale by owner for cheaper. Also, other more "practical" books such as "Why Revival Tarries" by Leonard Ravenhill, and "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" and "Fresh Power" by Jim Cymbala have been books that have greatly stirred me, and I think will ultimately have a profound impact on my preaching... though they are not specifically about preaching. I've also heard good things about "The Supremacy of God in Preaching" by John Piper. Just a note though, one is probably better off buying books on prayer than books on preaching. In prayer you will truly learn whatever it is God wants you to say. Then you will simply be left to cast yourself upon Him in order to have the strength and ability to preach the message.

Can you suggest a book or scripture or thoughts on training on how to preach.Here is a link to some thoughts on this matter from Art Katz's book Apostolic Foundations. I've just been reading this recently and it is excellent ministry;The Mystery of PreachingIn Christ,Ron

Can you suggest a book or scripture or thoughts on training on how to preach.Spurgeon has some very astute observations to offer on the subject of preaching in Lectures to my students. In addition to being very practical it is also very funny. These come in his examples of 'how NOT to preach'.

There is are numerous examples listed by Adam Clarke in his commentaries on the prerequisites of preaching the Gospel, for you must be sent by God, which is his contention. There is a book called "The Preacher's Manual" that includes Clarke's "Clavis Biblica" and a very worthwhile read called "Letters to a Young Preacher" that may be of some help to you.

HI GregSorry I didn't reply to this. I've not seen a version with hand motions. His point was more in the way of warning against inappropriate hand signs, and other quait mannerisms e.g. the man who fixes his eye on the right corner of the ceiling as if he has seen an angel there.'Lectures to my students' is the account of the his lectures in the Pastor's College. Its follow up is 'An All Round Ministry' which is the record of the annual renunion keynote messages delivered by Spurgeon. His affection for his 'students' is very moving and his labours for them were astonishing.

Yes, I would also recommend C H Spurgeons Lectures to my students. I had read it not to long ago and found it to be very helpful.also there is a book called "The Worlds Greatest Preachers" that was compiled by Ray Comfort. It has selected sermons by men like Wesley, Luther, Spurgeon, Edwards, Etc and I would encourage any preacher to read it.

Lots of good advice and good recomends on books. I am surprised no one has mentioned 'Power through Prayer' by E. M. Bounds. If you read that 'little book', you will know what to do. And you probably won't need those other books right away. Speaking from pain-full experience...