Young pastor, as you step into your role as shepherd, consider these three important exhortations concerning how to preach sermons that encourage the flock God has entrusted to you.
1. Preach the Word, Not Your Wisdom
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus . . . Preach the word.” (2 Tim. 4:1–2)
Pastors have a primary and simple task: preach the Word! This means that preaching should normally consist of reading, explaining, and applying the Word of God to our church and its members. This kind of preaching is often referred to as “expositional” because it exposes God’s Word to God’s people. The Scriptures alone, under the illumination of the Spirit, bring new life. The Word is not a mere collection of ancient texts from which we simply gain moral instruction or self-help tips. Rather, the Word of God is living and active (Heb. 4:12). God’s Word is powerful enough to bring dry bones to life (Ezek. 37:1–14).
Our goal in preaching, therefore, is to help our people deepen their trust in God and his Word, not to garner admiration or allegiance for ourselves. Remember that you are the messenger, not the message! Preach the Bible (and the Bible alone) so
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