The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to preach the word! . . . ‘Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching’ (2 Tim. 4:2). This instruction is in keeping with the principle reflected in the book of Acts that the proclamation of God’s Word is the heart of corporate worship. Yet in many churches, preaching is in decline under the influence of a culture that prefers entertainment to exposition.
In this volume, experienced preachers reaffirm the centrality of preaching in the life of the church as they explore what the Scriptures have to say about the mandate, meaning, motivation, and method of preaching. With wisdom and conviction, the authors remind the church that God works through the faithful preaching of His Word, no less in the twenty-first century than in the first.
Table of Contents:
Foreword by Ian Hamilton
1. Steven J. Lawson: Knowing the Man and His Message – Dustin W. Benge
Part 1: The Mandate of Preaching
2. A Biblical Priority: Preach the Word – John MacArthur
3. A Pastoral Preeminence: Feed My Sheep – R. C. Sproul
4. A Historical Pedigree: Sixteenth-Century Reformed Preaching – Joel Beeke
Part 2: The Meaning of Preaching
5. Preaching as Exposition – R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
6. Preaching as Transformation – Derek W. H. Thomas
7. Preaching as Worship – Sinclair B. Ferguson
Part 3: The Motivation of Preaching
8. The Aim of Preaching: The Glory of God – Robert Godfrey
9. The Foundation of Preaching: The Cross of Christ – John J. Murray
10. The Power of Preaching: The Presence of the Holy Spirit – Michael A. G. Haykin
Part 4: The Method of Preaching
11. Preparing the Sermon – Iain D. Campbell
12. Building the Sermon – Geoffrey Thomas
13. Delivering the Sermon – Conrad Mbewe
Editors
Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Seminary) is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan; editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth; editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books; and a prolific author.
Dustin W. Benge is the editor for Expositor Magazine and the director of operations for OnePassion Ministries. He is the editor of Lifting Up Our Hearts: 150 Prayers of John Calvin and A Journey Toward Heaven: Daily Devotions from the Sermons of Jonathan Edwards.He and his wife, Molli, live in Mobile, Alabama.
Endorsements
“This book marks well the ministry of Steve Lawson. His example of exegetically grounded, doctrinally informed, homiletically precise style of energetic proclamation has been one of the most salutary phenomena in Christian preaching in decades. The names of those who consented to write chapters attest to this judgment. Here we find in admirable, inviting display a comprehensive handbook on the craft of preaching. The importance and necessity of preaching, its history, its biblical foundations, its theology and teleology, the intrinsic excellence of the genre of preaching, and other interesting and vital subjects form a theoretical foundation for justifying the calling. Other chapters give insight, biblically and experientially informed, on the issues of preparation and delivery. This book not only draws immediate attention to the faithful ministry of Steve Lawson but should also serve perennially as a guide from mature and holy minds on how best to obey the divine mandate, ‘Preach the Word.’” — Thomas J. Nettles
“In His providence God has sent out a great company of preachers to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ. In this volume you will find some of that glorious company whose own ministries have blessed the church globally coming together to honor a dear, humble, and gracious brother whose ministry has been an enormous blessing to us all. They address the great themes that lie closest to the heart of Steven Lawson and have been the very pulse of His ministry of the Word over many years. It gives me the most enormous joy to commend this volume and add my voice to those who honor a faithful and fruitful preacher of the glorious gospel of our blessed God.” — Liam Goligher, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia
“When you mention the name Steven J. Lawson, one word comes to mind: preaching. But with Dr. Lawson, one word won’t do. It’s passion-filled-to-overflowing preaching. It’s bold, persuasive, and powerful preaching. Above all, it’s expository preaching. These essays by Dr. Lawson’s friends honor him and the legacy of his ministry in the best possible way by offering an exposition of expository preaching. May these essays, like Dr. Lawson’s ministry, bear much fruit in the life of the church.” — Stephen J. Nichols, President, Reformation Bible College; Chief Academic Officer, Ligonier Ministries
