F O R T H E S E R M O N , B I B L E R E A D I N G , G O S P E L A D D R E S S
} J O M I L E T I C A L f { e l p s
----------- B y W I L L I A M E V A N S --------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ~l Hints and Suggestions for the Preacher
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t I 'H ERE are some things we need to be -*■ reminded of, even though we know them very well. Much o f life’ s failure comes from riot doing things we know we ought to do, and doing things we know we ought not to do. W e are in n eed 'of being con stantly reminded o f familiar truths. Par ticularly is this the case when the preaching o f the gospel and the eternal destiny o f souls is involved. The Preacher and the Sermon I. The sermon in preparation. Have a definite aim in view in the prep aration and preaching o f your sermon. Judge all the material that' goes into the sermon by this one definite aim. Frequently recall this aim during the preparation of the sermon, and you will thereby prevent an endless waste o f sermon material and nerve tissue. Be sure you understand the purpose o f your sermon. Is not the obj ect o f a sermon as great, if not greater than, the subject? Think this through. Do not write too soon after getting a new thought. Let it work. Put it in soak. Sleep over it. Ponder it. It does not always follow that you must preach on Sunday the sermon you have just prepared during the preceding days. There are exceptions, o f course, to this rule, fiut the exceptions will take care o f themselves, and they come very seldom. Recognize clearly the purpose o f .a ser mon. It is to Convey to your audience what is in your mind regarding the truth o f God. You would have your audience see as you see; believe as you believe; act as you would have them act
Remember that thought is colored by emotion. Therefore, be sure you recognize the necessity o f harmonizing your feeling with your thought. Make it your purpose to move the will to action.' The recogni tion o f this fact is what gives personality and convincing power to the sermon. With out it “words will not burn and thoughts will not breathe*” The will is the citadel to be stormed and captured by force of persuasive argument. 2 . The sermon in action. This is the great moment for the preacher. He has been studying days and weeks, probably months, in the preparation o f this sermon which is to be delivered in from half an hour to forty minutes. There are some things to be remembered in this connection: Be sure that you are master o f yourself. Learn how to stand, and having done all, stand. Stand on your feet, not on your toes or your heels. Stand firm. Do mot reel to and fro. Do not let your legs, arms, and hands manage you. You manage them instead. Do not think o f . your hands and feet. You do not always think o f them in company; why should you in the pulpit? Again it is a question o f the will. You must learn to subject your trunk and feet and hands to your will. Make them stay anywhere you want them to be until it is the proper time for them to move. Let your head control your feet and hands; it ought to. Not all men are graceful; prob ably not all men can be; but all men can put erectness, self-respect, decision, and self-control into their carriage. Pull your self up by the scalp. Keep your chin in.
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