I was recently at a conference, enjoying it both as a participant and as a presenter. I was particularly struck by the main Bible teaching. It was great preaching. I was challenged by the obvious passion for the Word that showed in this series of talks. I know the speaker is not a limelight seeker, so I won’t name him, but I trust these three reflections will be provocative for us.
The Heart of Great Preaching – 3 Observations
Observation 1 – Masterful Handling of the Text
In four messages we were taken through the entire book of Daniel. Not the easiest book for great preaching, nor the least controversial. How was the text handled so effectively in the course of four one-hour presentations?
A. The speaker was sensitive to both the literary and historical context of the book.
He knew his Babylonian and subsequent world empire history and demonstrated a keen awareness of the various disciplines needed for pulling together the complexity of Daniel.
B. He was deeply aware of the literary structure of the book.
Layer upon layer of structure was masterfully woven together as the book was presented, leaving the listeners struck by the artistry of the writer.
C. He showed a remarkable ability to summarize
The content of multiple chapters without losing the essence or the core intent of the passages. The teaching had integrity, even when a chapter was surveyed only briefly.
D. The speaker was as bold as a lion, yet as winsome as a lamb.
In a mixed crowd of people from multiple denominations and disciplines, it would be tempting to try to please everyone with a sort of neutered presentation. Not here. There was a stunning level of courage in this presentation, which made it great preaching. He knew that many would disagree on various levels, yet he was unashamed in his presentation of the book. I think this kind of courage required both a genuine winsomeness and an authoritative mastery of the book’s contents.
