4 Ways Pastors Can Better Connect With People In Their Pulpit Ministry

Pastor Andrew SchankPreaching is explicitly ordained of God to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help the subsequent disciples mature in their faith. Though other methods can be employed, God has made it absolutely clear that preaching and the pulpit ministry should be preeminent! Since it is so important, every pastor should seek to better get the message across so as to be more effective.

(1 Corinthians 1:18) “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  (KJV)
(1 Corinthians 1:21) “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”  (KJV)
(Romans 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (KJV)

Golden Rule For The Pulpit Ministry…

Pastors can make a better connection by not preaching AT their congregation, but by preaching TO them! Ultimately, every man of God has to have unction of God’s Holy Spirit on him to be effective. However, pastors can be a sharper tool in the Master’s hand by paying attention to four simple things while they are preaching God’s Word.

#1 – Smile

Some preachers could smile a little more while behind the pulpit. Even though preaching is a serious issue, pastors can make better connections when they do not have a scowl on the face a majority of the time. By no means am I advocating the replacing of sober preaching with a comedy routine, but I am proposing that you can better connect with a soul more by a warm smile appropriate to the occasion.

#2 – Eye Contact

Every pastor is different in personality, however, there is no substitute for looking someone in the eye from behind the pulpit while sharing a message from Heaven. Whether you are reproving, rebuking or exhorting, eye contact is a very good way to make a better connection with the congregation. One word of caution though… do not look at the same person all of the time! lol

#3 – Sincerity

The issue of sincerity is lacking a great deal in many pulpits today. Hirelings and professionals, may be perceived as entertainers and salesmen, but sincerity, by definition, is far superior to anything they can muster. Nothing rivals preaching on Hell with a tear in your eye! One should not be a phony for people know when you are preaching from your heart!

#4 – Familiarity

When preaching God’s Word we have to remember what a preacher of yesteryear stated, “God said to feed my lambs, not my giraffes!” How true! Keep the cookies on the bottom shelf when sharing a message from God. Use words that are FAMILIAR to your people. Yes, you can teach them new ones, but do not use your superior skills with the kings English to devalue anyone.

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Please Share Another Way(s) A Pastor Can Be More Effective When Preaching God’s Word!

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9 Components To Godly Preaching Which Every Pastor Should Utilize

In an effort to become a better preacher of God’s Word, many pastors seek to sharpen their axe on a regular basis. Many books, magazines, pamphlets, articles, and blog posts have been originated to help the man of God to become a more proficient proclaimer of the Book of the Ages.

The serious pastor will seek to improve his abilities by availing himself of these great tools. This ambassador of Jesus Christ is also keenly aware that no matter how much he hones his skills, he is still in great need of the Holy Spirit’s power to accomplish anything of eternal value or significance!

This post seeks to point out 9 important components that godly preaching will exhibit. As these earmarks are mentioned, one will agree that they are essential to incorporate into the pastor’s delivery of the eternal truths found in God’s infallible Word.

9 Components To Godly Preaching Which Every Pastor Should Utilize!

#1 – Bible Preaching Should Be Based Upon The Word Of God!

(2 Corinthians 2:17) “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”  (KJV)

(2 Corinthians 4:2) “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”  (KJV)

(2 Timothy 4:2) “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”  (KJV)

It is amazing what is deemed “Bible” preaching these days. A jury would have a hard time convicting some men of preaching the Bible because there is so little of it used in their message/sermon.

#2 – Bible Preaching Should Expound God’s Mighty Works Including The Salvation Of Repentant Sinners!

(Acts 20:20-21) “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (KJV)

(Romans 10:14-15) “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”  (KJV)

While some preaching is directed towards the believer for their edification, every message needs to provide a “gangplank” for sinners to get aboard the ole ship of Zion!

#3 – Bible Preaching Should Encourage A Personal Encounter With Jesus Christ Through The Word Of God!

(1 John 1:4-10) “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  (KJV)

Preaching must push people towards a closer walk with Jesus Christ. To do otherwise is a complete waste of everyone’s time!

#4 – Bible Preaching Should Teach And Instruct!

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  (KJV)

Whenever the Word of God is preached it will be spiritual meat for the belly of of the saint. It is easier digested when it is served in proper portions. This is where good preaching comes in.

#5 – Bible Preaching Should Be Sustaining And Life Giving!

(Acts 4:13) “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”  (KJV)

The most important event, each and every week, is the message being heralded forth in the hamlets that dot the globe. This message should be something spiritual enough to sustain someone for the week to come. It should have such an effect as to be REMEMBERED!

#6 – Bible Preaching Should Stir The Seat Of Emotions!

(Luke 24:32) “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”  (KJV)

Those men on the Emmaus road heard Jesus preach the Old Testament prophesies concerning the Messiah… HIMSELF! It stirred their heart! God made us EMOTIONAL beings. Preaching should not be stale as month old bread. It should be warm, tasty and filling! Good preaching will stir us to action!

#7 – Bible Preaching Should Proclaim God’s Judgment Along With All Other Doctrines!

(Acts 20:26-27) “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”  (KJV)

Paul preached it ALL! Some only want to preach the pleasant things and refrain, ignore, and forget about weightier matters. We have to spell out God’s wrath and judgment when needed!

#8 – Bible Preaching Should Aim For A Clear Decision!

(Joshua 24:15) “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  (KJV)

As Joshua of old times, we must make it plain and easily understood. People need to make a decision when confronted with God’s truth!

#9 – Bible Preaching Should Trumpet A Call To Action!

(Jeremiah 7:3) “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.”  (KJV)

(Jeremiah 26:13) “Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.”  (KJV)

Good preaching will call for a clear and distinct decision. Not to do so, blurs the message and can leave someone confused.

Conclusion

As you can surmise in this post, good Bible preaching involves quite a bit of forethought, prayer and Bible study. The most important thing is the empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit! These 9 essential components should not be overlooked when preparing and preaching God’s Holy Word!

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Would You Consider Purchasing…

838309: The Preacher and His Preaching The Preacher and His Preaching

By A.P. Gibbs / ECS Ministries

This present books brings Gibb’s encyclopedic knowledge of the subject within our reach. Gibb’s seriousness, thoroughness, energy, and urgency breath from this book. First entitled A Primer on Preaching, as Gibbs matured so his study of the sacred art of preaching grew. His final edition was completed just months before his sudden homecall in an auto accident enroute to Hamilton, Ontario, for a two week series of Gospel meetings.

9 Truths About Salvation That Every Pastor Needs To Proclaim

Preacher, Proclaim Salvation’s Story!

There are numerous topics that a preacher can speak about, but none so precious and important as the doctrine of salvation. What the Bible says about sin, the sinner, Heaven and Hell is very serious. The ramifications of one’s knowledge about these particular issues has eternal consequences. This post seeks to point out some essential precepts that must be proclaimed by God’s men concerning salvation!

The following outline was taken from a Sunday School Series taught by Pastor Roger Luiken of Liberty Baptist Church of Fremont, Nebraska.

Listed below are nine very important truths about salvation!

#1 – You Can Know That You Are Saved

(1 John 5:12-13) “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”  (KJV)

Salvation is very important in the eyes of God and He has made it very plain that He wants people to know they have it!

#2 – A Minority Of People Are Truly Saved

(Matthew 7:13-14) “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  (KJV)

Just because it is very clear that few get saved does not give us the right to give up on people.

#3 – Some People Will Deceive Themselves Into Thinking That They Are Saved

(Matthew 7:21-23) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  (KJV)

These verses are some of the saddest ones in the Bible. In view of this, it is apparent that what people believe about how one is saved has a direct influence upon their soul’s destination. This is a fearful passage! One must remember that salvation is built upon Christ and not works!

#4 – There Will Be Carnal Christians… This Is A Reality

(1 Corinthians 3:1-3) “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”  (KJV)

We must remember that some, who get saved, will not grow up in Christ. If the Apostle Paul had this problem, then what does that say for us?

#5 – Sometimes It Is Hard To Distinguish Between The Saved And The Lost

(2 Peter 2:4-8) “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”  (KJV)

It is not hard to grasp the fact that Noah was a saved man in the Bible. Lot, however, is a horse of a different color. If it were not for the verses shown above, nobody would say that Lot was saved. Thus we can conclude that some people… well… only God knows they are saved!

#6 – Every Christian Should Be Growing

(2 Peter 3:16-18) “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”  (KJV)

Everyone, who is saved, should be following RIGHT teaching. They should be GROWING in Christ!

#7 – There Is An Important Relationship Between Faith And Works

What salvation looks like before you get saved…

(Ephesians 2:8-10) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  (KJV)

What salvation looks like after you are saved…

(James 2:14-20) “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”  (KJV)

Many think the scriptures contradict each other here in these two passages, but we must understand that faith in Jesus’ shed blood alone is what saves a person. That same individual, who is truly saved, will produce works… to some degree!

#8 – You Cannot Lose Your Salvation

(John 3:36) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”  (KJV)

There are numerous verse that prove this truth about salvation. This one is very clear!

#9 – There Will Be Rewards At The Judgment Seat Of Christ

(Romans 14:12) “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”  (KJV)

(1 Corinthians 3:11-15) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”  (KJV)

(2 Corinthians 5:6-10) “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”  (KJV)

Every saved person will be rewarded for their good works. These same works are not what saves them. These people perform good works because they are saved!

Conclusion

So much can be said about salvation. Ask 100 people how to get to Heaven and you will get 102 different answers. The fact of the matter is that we must stick with the Bible and what it says about the subject of salvation. Preacher, Proclaim It!

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