Lecture 3 – In Relation to God

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A BROAD OVERVIEW OF THIS ENTIRE UNIT OF PASTORAL THEOLOGY

Introduction:
1. The fact of mystery in connection with all revealed truth.
2. An overview of the following material.

I.  The preacher and his present relationship to God in the act of preaching

The measure of a man’s true usefulness will generally be in direct proportion to how much of the truly religious element precedes his entrance into the pulpit, is carried with him into the pulpit, and is sustained and intensified during the act of preaching.

II. The preacher and his present relationship to himself in the act of preaching

We are informed in Gal. 5:23 that the fruit of the Spirit is “self-control.” We are to have a conscious concern to control ourselves with reference to our physical appearance, the use of our voice, the regulation and expression of our emotions, and with respect to physical action in our preaching.

III. The preacher and his present relationship to his hearers in the act of preaching

Under this heading we will attempt to analyze the elements of the current that exists between the preacher and his hearers as he preaches. Any view of preaching that views it as “one way communication” is tragically wrong. The consideration of this concern will lead us to such matters as eye contact, our sense of interaction with the people of God, etc.

IV. The preacher and his present relationship to his paper in the act of preaching

Most of us will find it necessary to have some paper accompanying us as we enter the pulpit. However, the issue with which we must grapple is, how do we lose our paper without allowing it to become a barrier between us and our people? It is this question I will attempt to answer under this heading.

V. The preacher in his present relationship to the physical context of his preaching

We do not preach to disembodied spirits nor to congregations of blind people. Therefore, we must consider such issues as our visibility, the placement of the pulpit, a lighting, fresh air, ventilation, etc. I will attempt to address these very practical issues with some workable guidelines.I

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I.  The Preacher and His Present Relationship to God in the Act of Preaching

Ps. 16:8
1 Kings 17:1

A. An exhortation to cultivate the thoughts which ought to dominate our consciousness in the act of preaching

1.  Cultivate the awareness of preaching as in the sight of God.

2 Cor. 2:14-17
2 Cor. 12:19

2.  Cultivate the awareness of preaching as one on His way to the judgment of God.

Acts 24:15-16
2 Cor. 5:4-10
1 Cor. 4:1-5
2 Tim. 4:1, 8
Heb. 13:17

a.  If you cultivate this awareness, you will have no crippling fear of men.

1 Cor. 4:4

b.  If you cultivate this awareness, you will not just serve time.

2 Cor. 4:5

c.  If you cultivate this awareness, you will be marked by urgency.

2 Cor. 5:11

d.  If you cultivate this awareness, you will be marked by singleness of purpose.

2 Cor. 5:9-10
2 Tim. 4:1-8

3.  Cultivate the awareness that you are preaching as an appointed ambassador, herald, and gift of the ascended Christ.

1 Tim. 1:12
Rom. 10:14, 15
2 Cor. 5:19
Jn. 13:20
Eph. 4:11,15

NOTE: Do you see why we are so insistent that men have a true and orderly biblical call to the preaching office? Do you see how boldness, authority, and directness, are all rooted in the consciousness of derived and conferred authority.

Jer. 23:21, 32

4.  Cultivate the awareness that preaching is the uniquely chosen and unchangeably relevant instrument of God.

1 Cor. 1:18, 21 with Rom. 10:14, 15
Jn. 10:16
Jn. 17:7
Eph. 4:15 with Eph. 4:11
2 Tim. 4:2

John Owen, The Works of John Owen, vol. 7, (London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1968), p. 193.

Joshua H. McIlvaine, Elocution: The Sources and Elements of Its Power, (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1895), pp. 10-11.

B. The practical results of such cultivation: Holy enthusiasm and expectancy, freshness, and avoidance of all that is dull and lifeless and passionless.

Mk. 4:26-9
Is. 55:10-11
2 Cor. 4:7-15

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