Comments on: Preaching with Passion http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:10:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Greg http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-126627 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:34:49 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-126627 The book sounds very interesting, as well as being very much needed in our generation. My ministry has allowed me to visit alot of churches, and when I am not preaching, I have been able to listen to alot of preaching. There are two basic "problems" I have oberved; 1) Good content, and no passion. 2) Poor content and alot of content...probably trying to make up for a lack of content! In either case, the message is not delivered as it should. As preahers we have the greatest message to be delivered with the greatest urgency. There is not place for passionless preaching. If a man of God cannot preach with passion, he ought to step out of the pulpit and find something he is passionate about. How can a God called man preach without passion? I think it is important to keep in view that preaching with passion is not the same as emotionalism. Christ died to redeem a people ZEALOUS of good works...not emotional about good works! Preach on with fire in your soul my brothers! Greg The book sounds very interesting, as well as being very much needed in our generation. My ministry has allowed me to visit alot of churches, and when I am not preaching, I have been able to listen to alot of preaching. There are two basic “problems” I have oberved; 1) Good content, and no passion. 2) Poor content and alot of content…probably trying to make up for a lack of content! In either case, the message is not delivered as it should. As preahers we have the greatest message to be delivered with the greatest urgency. There is not place for passionless preaching. If a man of God cannot preach with passion, he ought to step out of the pulpit and find something he is passionate about. How can a God called man preach without passion? I think it is important to keep in view that preaching with passion is not the same as emotionalism. Christ died to redeem a people ZEALOUS of good works…not emotional about good works!

Preach on with fire in your soul my brothers!

Greg

]]> by: Mike Leake http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122953 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:59:07 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122953 "If the Word does not dwell with power in us, it will not pass with power from us" -John Owen Amen! “If the Word does not dwell with power in us, it will not pass with power from us” -John Owen

Amen!

]]> by: Mike Riccardi http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122934 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:21:27 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122934 I agree with every word that Carl wrote. His post is essential to read and keep in mind when considering this topic. I think that needs to be underscored and didn't want it to go un-highlighted. I agree with every word that Carl wrote. His post is essential to read and keep in mind when considering this topic. I think that needs to be underscored and didn’t want it to go un-highlighted.

]]> by: Hayden http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122901 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:28:13 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122901 I would agree that this is an excellent book by a man who is passionate for the Lord. Alex Montoya is one of the professors at TMS and teaches homiletics there. He is great to listen to when he preaches because he exposits the Scripture with passion. Passionless preaching is an abomination. That is what Pastor Montoya is after in this book. We must not just get up in front of people and 'bore them' with the Word of God. I am not saying that we should be into antics or crazy gimmicks but we must convey the Word with passion. Anything less is not worthy! By the way, there is some research that says Edwards was not all that 'passionless' in his preaching. Tell me you can read 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' without passion for the lost. It is true that the Puritans were not wanting to distract from the Word but what about passionate preachers like Whitefield, Spurgeon, and even modern day preachers like MacArthur, Mahaney, Dever, Piper. We must not overreact to the abuse of preaching by becoming passionless. I would agree that this is an excellent book by a man who is passionate for the Lord. Alex Montoya is one of the professors at TMS and teaches homiletics there. He is great to listen to when he preaches because he exposits the Scripture with passion.

Passionless preaching is an abomination. That is what Pastor Montoya is after in this book. We must not just get up in front of people and ‘bore them’ with the Word of God. I am not saying that we should be into antics or crazy gimmicks but we must convey the Word with passion. Anything less is not worthy!

By the way, there is some research that says Edwards was not all that ‘passionless’ in his preaching. Tell me you can read ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’ without passion for the lost. It is true that the Puritans were not wanting to distract from the Word but what about passionate preachers like Whitefield, Spurgeon, and even modern day preachers like MacArthur, Mahaney, Dever, Piper. We must not overreact to the abuse of preaching by becoming passionless.

]]> by: Morris Brooks http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122650 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:26:48 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122650 I once read a quote by Martyn Lloyd-Jones who said he wished he had preached with more pathos. I once read a quote by Martyn Lloyd-Jones who said he wished he had preached with more pathos.

]]> by: donsands http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122602 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:03:32 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122602 Genuine passion is rare these days. But it is necessary for the preacher of God's truth, the Gospel, and His whole Word really. I am blessed with a pastor, who not only reads, studies, and mediates on the Scriptures, but then teaches and preaches the doctrines of grace with passion, and humility. Have a great Lord's Day. ps Loud preaching can look passionate, but it's usually not. People like Creflo Dollar, Beeny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and so on are empty clouds; loud and proud, but only in half truths and human wisdom. Genuine passion is rare these days. But it is necessary for the preacher of God’s truth, the Gospel, and His whole Word really.

I am blessed with a pastor, who not only reads, studies, and mediates on the Scriptures, but then teaches and preaches the doctrines of grace with passion, and humility.

Have a great Lord’s Day.

ps Loud preaching can look passionate, but it’s usually not. People like Creflo Dollar, Beeny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and so on are empty clouds; loud and proud, but only in half truths and human wisdom.

]]> by: c day http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122444 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:26:36 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122444 Excellent book for the preacher as well as a view from the pew. Have read it and its excellent. More young preachers would benefit from this book, as well as us who view from the pew gain perspective!~ Excellent book for the preacher as well as a view from the pew.
Have read it and its excellent. More young preachers would benefit from this book, as well as us who view from the pew gain perspective!~

]]> by: Carl http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122413 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:43:15 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122413 I have not read the book, but it seems to me if you are diligent to study and prepare Gods Word for your message, and your life holds these very deep convictions of God's truth your message will be passionate. Its not about us, it is the power and truth of God's Word that convicts a sinners heart. Our passion comes from wanting to study ourselves approved unto God, a worker not ashamed, rightly dividing the truth. Our passion comes from knowing God and knowing truth. Passion does not need to be taught to us, we are passionaate because the Holy Spirit indwells within us, and our lives will reflect that in our teaching and preaching. If you hunger and thrist for righteousness you will be satisfied. You will get excited and passionate about feeding God's sheep, and the lost sheep. I would venture to say that the book is a call for us to be passionate in feeding God's sheep, and preaching the truth to the lost sheep. We are passionate about living a life of Christ-like integrity, and that should come across in our preaching and teaching. I have not read the book, but it seems to me if you are diligent to study and prepare Gods Word for your message, and your life holds these very deep convictions of God’s truth your message will be passionate. Its not about us, it is the power and truth of God’s Word that convicts a sinners heart. Our passion comes from wanting to study ourselves approved unto God, a worker not ashamed, rightly dividing the truth. Our passion comes from knowing God and knowing truth. Passion does not need to be taught to us, we are passionaate because the Holy Spirit indwells within us, and our lives will reflect that in our teaching and preaching. If you hunger and thrist for righteousness you will be satisfied. You will get excited and passionate about feeding God’s sheep, and the lost sheep. I would venture to say that the book is a call for us to be passionate in feeding God’s sheep, and preaching the truth to the lost sheep. We are passionate about living a life of Christ-like integrity, and that should come across in our preaching and teaching.

]]> by: David R. McCrory http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122334 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:22:02 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122334 Could it not be the case that the reason so many preachers lack passion is they lack the power of the Holy Spirit - the only true means by which we are capable of being deeply passionate about the Word of God? Seminaries can impart knowledge and teach men how to study and even preach. But it is only by empowering of God's Spirit, working in and through the life of the preacher, that he can come to claim the truth of God's Word for himself, and effectively impart that same Truth unto others. Could it not be the case that the reason so many preachers lack passion is they lack the power of the Holy Spirit - the only true means by which we are capable of being deeply passionate about the Word of God?

Seminaries can impart knowledge and teach men how to study and even preach. But it is only by empowering of God’s Spirit, working in and through the life of the preacher, that he can come to claim the truth of God’s Word for himself, and effectively impart that same Truth unto others.

]]> by: pastorsteve http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122333 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:08:22 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2008/04/04/preaching-with-passion/#comment-122333 Part of me reads this article and wants to say, "preach it brother". Another part of me thinks about what Paul said in 1 Coronthians 2:1-5. "And when I came to you brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." I think there is a tension in the Scripture passage that we should wrestle with in our preaching. I am not into apathetic preaching but I am concerned that if we begin to focus on our delivery too much, we begin to make ourselves more important than we really should be! (Obviously I totally agree with proper exposition of the Scriptures). I have not read this book, so this tension may be discussed. However, I do realize that I must seriously consider that The Holy Spirit will be the one to demonstrate power through God's Word. I constantly need to be aware that I am only as useful to God as I accurately teach through His Word. From what I understand, Jonathan Edwards read His sermons in a monotone voice. If that was the case, it sounds like God used His Word rather mightily. I would be curious if any other Pastors wrestle with this tension that we want to be zealous in our proclaiming God's Word but we wonder if we are more concerned with delivery than we should? Part of me reads this article and wants to say, “preach it brother”. Another part of me thinks about what Paul said in 1 Coronthians 2:1-5. “And when I came to you brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

I think there is a tension in the Scripture passage that we should wrestle with in our preaching. I am not into apathetic preaching but I am concerned that if we begin to focus on our delivery too much, we begin to make ourselves more important than we really should be! (Obviously I totally agree with proper exposition of the Scriptures). I have not read this book, so this tension may be discussed. However, I do realize that I must seriously consider that The Holy Spirit will be the one to demonstrate power through God’s Word. I constantly need to be aware that I am only as useful to God as I accurately teach through His Word.

From what I understand, Jonathan Edwards read His sermons in a monotone voice. If that was the case, it sounds like God used His Word rather mightily.

I would be curious if any other Pastors wrestle with this tension that we want to be zealous in our proclaiming God’s Word but we wonder if we are more concerned with delivery than we should?

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