Every believer is called to preach the Gospel. (Mark 16:15) We need preaching that is scriptural, relevant, practical and prophetic. Preaching is truth on fire. We must know the truth, love the truth, and preach the truth with passion and conviction. Truth in today's world can be very confrontational and controversial, because many do not know or love the truth. Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth. The truth of God’s Word is absolute - it brings law and order into a chaotic and confused world. There is nothing wrong with this country that good, anointed preaching couldn’t cure! (Luke 4:18)
The challenge of every preacher is to arrest the attention of people and help them see the truth. Their greatest hope is to be able to lodge one great truth in the hearts of the people. How can we do it?
1. Prepare yourself for the sermon you will deliver:
- Convince yourself of the importance of the truth you have chosen. Make time to think about nothing but the importance of this truth.
- Read all that you can on the truth you have selected.
- Think of the ways this truth can help people and how it will transform them.
- Select a song that will convey the truth and sing it to yourself during the week.
- Place this truth at the top of your prayer list and as you pray it through, picture the invitation in your mind and what you want to see happen!
2. Avoid complicated outlines, make it simple and memorable.
The outline gives you a map to follow to impart that great truth. It gives a sense of order and direction.
Four elements of an outline:
- The introduction
- The theme and title of the message
- The body of the message, give three or four points
- The conclusion
Steven Scott, the author of, "The Richest Man That Ever Lived", said he learned three skills that helped him to become an effective and persuasive communicator:
1. A Hook: A strong captivating statement, personal reference, or specific question that instantly grabs a listener’s undivided attention.
2. Salt: Once you get a person’s attention, you need to keep their attention, this can be done by salting. Salt makes one thirstier. Salt is a statement, question, or story that increases curiosity about what you are going to say before you say it.
3. An emotional word picture: A word, statement, or story that creates an instant picture in listeners’ minds that clarifies what you are trying to say and implants a feeling into their emotions.
Jesus, Peter, Paul and John all used these skills to communicate truth! Note how Paul wove them into his address to king Agrippa: “For the king, before whom I speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. “ King Agrippa do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am except for these chains.” (Acts 26:26-29)
FOUR FINAL THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU SPRING INTO ACTION:
Study yourself full! | Think yourself clear! | Pray yourself hot! | Let yourself go!
Yours for an army of great anointed preachers, that love the truth!
Dr George Hill
Apostolic Founder and President of Victory Churches International
