This is a sketchbook on the art of preaching. I don’t expect everyone to appreciate these scribblings, but I do humbly offer them as helpful hints for those called to communicate biblical truth in a post-Christian world. Having spent half a century speaking in homes, churches, and training institutions, I have, through the medium of radio, television, and the internet, had to prepare numerous talks for a variety of listeners. I don’t say this to boast; I give all the glory to God that this shy, uneducated, introverted individual has, over time, proved that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of “somebodies” . . . That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God.3 Time has taught me that preaching is more than instructing others. It is about the transformation of lives. For that to happen, God must be the inspiration before, during and after every preaching event. True biblical preaching generates a life-giving atmosphere. No matter the background, culture, age, or level of understanding of the listener, preachers are agents of change. Partnering with the Holy Spirit, preachers are compassionate individuals who live and die for the transformation of other people’s lives. In the 1960s, Thomas Hoving was the Commissioner of Parks for the City of New York. Having a PhD in art history from Princeton, he was somewhat ill-placed in the administration of Mayor John Lindsay. But everything was about to change. Hoving was approached by the Board of The Metropolitan Museum of Art to become their director. For someone with a PhD in art history, to be offered the role of director in this prestigious art museum was a no- brainer. Hoving jumped at the chance! Having only served for a few months as Commissioner of Parks, Thomas Hoving would have to discuss his decision with Mayor Lindsay. Concerned about the response, he somewhat reluctantly made his way to Lindsay’s office. “I’ve been offered the role of director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art,” he said, “and I’d like to take it.” He then waited for the Mayor’s response. “Well, it’s a great opportunity,” Lindsay replied. “But have you considered the boredom? Seems to me the place is dead. Having said that, you’ll make the mummies dance!” What a phrase!
Most genuine preachers will suffer from what I call the Popeye Syndrome. Driven by a holy irritant, these passionate individuals are totally consumed by the purpose of God. They willingly stand on the line for a heavenly cause, so much so that when the spinach moment comes they find themselves internally declaring, “That’s all I can stands, ’cause I can’t stands no more.” Unable to stay silent, their goal is to create and deliver a transformative sermon that will challenge people and change the atmosphere. Becoming righteously annoyed by what is happening around them, prophetic preachers cannot stand idly by and say nothing. They have seen beyond the veiled façade of human pretence into the supernatural realm. They have spent quality time studying the Scriptures and are fully prepared to deliver what they have received. This they will do with passion and a zeal birthed out of revelatory truth. Seeing what no one else is seeing, they say what no one else is saying.
