Welcome to episode #67 of PROCLAIM! — the podcast that teaches every Bible-believing Christian how to preach the Gospel by any means necessary in many different settings, including using the internet and the new “podcast pulpit”.
Our Scripture Verse on preaching is Luke 9:1-2 which reads: “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”
Our quote on preaching today is from Charles Swindoll. He said, “If I ever wrote a book on preaching, it would contain three words: Preach the Word. Get rid of all the other stuff that gets you sidetracked; preach the Word.”
In this podcast, we are using as our texts, the following three books: “Lectures to My Students” by Charles H. Spurgeon; “The Preacher and his Preaching” by Alfred P. Gibbs; and “Biblical Preaching” by Haddon W. Robinson.
Today, our topic is titled “The Qualifications of the Preacher, Part 38” from “The Preacher and his Preaching” by Alfred P. Gibbs.
(e) Criticism. The preacher should both seek and welcome criticism from others on subject matter, expressions, pronunciation, grammar, gesticulations, mannerisms, and anything else that would hinder the effective presentation of the message through him. We shall refer more fully to this matter later on.
Jeff D. Day has finely expressed this thought, “Really trying to preach involves persistent, careful, and prayerful preparation of the sermon in all its details, its doctrines, its homiletical order, its vigorous English, its grammatical correctness, its proper pronunciation of the words, its winsome delivery, in modulated vocalization, clear enunciation and correct gesticulation.” All this sounds like hard work, and it most certainly is, but it is well worthwhile, for “payday” is coming!
May it be ours not only to pray for “the wisdom that cometh from above”, but to use every opportunity to develop our capacity for that wisdom. This shall better fit us for the task of being “ambassadors for Christ,” and enable us to earn the “well done, thou good and faithful servant” of our blessed Lord and Master.
We used quite a little space for this matter of the qualifications of the preacher, and for good reason. We cannot disassociate the preacher from his preaching. We must remember the divine order in Paul’s injunction, “Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine [teaching]”.
The ECS Ministries (Emmaus Correspondence School Ministries), P.O. Box 1028, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-1028, has some splendid courses on the Scriptures that should prove useful. Contact them for a catalog by phone at 563 585 2070 or on the web—www.ecsministries.org, also email—ecsorders@emmaus.org. This is a sister-ministry to the Emmaus Bible School, of Dubuque, Iowa. —EDITOR.
Let’s Pray —
Dear friend, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, may I encourage you to get to know Him today.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Until next time, may God bless you!
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