How to Preach
()
About this ebook
In so far as “Rules” are found here, they may be largely ignored, for as I have said in the course of these studies no man can make “Rules” for another. But I hold that the Principles set forth are of fundamental importance and vital value in preaching.
In sending the book forth I hope it may be found of some help to those believing in the supreme place of preaching, are desirous of some guidance in the sacred work.
CrossReach Publications
G. Campbell Morgan
George Campbell Morgan was born in Tetbury, England, on December 9, 1893. At the young age of thirteen, Morgan began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Morgan and his wife, Annie, had four boys and three girls. His four sons followed him into the ministry.Morgan visited the United States for the first time in 1896, the first of fifty-four times he crossed the Atlantic to preach and teach. In 1897, Morgan accepted a pastorate in London, where he often traveled as a preacher and was involved in the London Missionary Society. After the death of D. L. Moody in 1899, Morgan assumed the position of director of the Northfield Bible Conference in Massachusetts. After five successful years in this capacity, in 1904 he returned to England and became pastor of Westminster Chapel, London, where he served for the next thirteen years, from 1904 to 1917. Thousands of people attended his services and weekly Friday night Bible classes.He had no formal training for the ministry, but his devotion to studying the Bible made him one of the leading Bible teachers of his day. In 1902, Chicago Theological Seminary conferred on him an honorary doctor of divinity degree. Although he did not have the privilege of studying in a seminary or a Bible college, he has written books that are used in seminaries and Bible colleges all over the world. Morgan died on May 16, 1945, at the age of eighty-one.
Read more from G. Campbell Morgan
The Welsh Revival: I. A Narrative of Facts II. The Revival: Its Power and Source Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA First Century Message to Twentieth Century Christians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Preach Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLessons of the Welsh Revival Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLessons of the Welsh Revival Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bible in Five Years Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Parables of the Kingdom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMalachi’s Message to the Men of Today Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEvangelism: A Firm Foundation for Effective Evangelistic Meetings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWherein Have We Robbed God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bible in Five Years Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Great Physician Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Unfolding Message of the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Holy Spirit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMountains and Valleys in the Ministry of Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife Problems Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Practice of Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Practice of Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Purposes of the Incarnation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe True Estimate of Life and How to Live Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Study and Teaching of the English Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Methods with Man Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod’s Methods with Man Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bible and the Cross Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Christ of Today Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Ten Commandments Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to How to Preach
Related ebooks
Preaching on Your Feet: Connecting God and The Audience in the Preachable Moment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Inspirational Preaching Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Vision for Preaching: Understanding the Heart of Pastoral Ministry Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreaching to Be Heard: Delivering Sermons That Command Attention Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Way with Words: Preaching That Transforms Congregations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHomiletics: A Developmental Guide for Preaching and Teaching Expositional, Homiletical Theology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreaching with Relevance in the Twenty-First Century Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Prepare Sermons Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/56 Verses for Preaching: A Primer for New Preachers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreaching: The Art of Narrative Exposition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Preaching Like the Prophets: The Hebrew Prophets as Examples for the Practice of Pastoral Preaching Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCalled to Preach: Fulfilling the High Calling of Expository Preaching Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Expository Preaching: Plans and Methods Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Dynamics of Preaching (Ministry Dynamics for a New Century) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Legacy of Preaching, Volume Two---Enlightenment to the Present Day: The Life, Theology, and Method of History’s Great Preachers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChrist-Centered Sermons: Models of Redemptive Preaching Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Preach Better: 10 Ways to Communicate the Gospel More Effectively Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEmerging Elders: Developing Shepherd's in God's Image Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeep Preaching: Creating Sermons that Go Beyond the Superficial Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Redeeming the Time Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBelieve In Me: Sermons On The Apostles Creed Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYour Glory: A Biblical Study Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Preach without Notes Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Weight of Preaching: Heralding the Gospel of Grace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreaching with Bold Assurance: A Solid and Enduring Approach to Engaging Exposition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bicycle Illustration: Disciple Making is Just Like Riding a Bike Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSermon Preparation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Shape of Preaching: Theory and Practice in Sermon Design Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Progress in the Pulpit: How to Grow in Your Preaching Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Theology of Holiness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You've Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for How to Preach
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
How to Preach - G. Campbell Morgan
CrossReach
Foreword
If there is any excuse for this book it is that it is an attempt to answer a question that I have been asked, certainly hundreds of times during the course of my work of preaching. The question has taken many forms, but it is essentially the same. It is an enquiry concerning methods of preparation in expository preaching. Individual preachers and groups of preachers have asked me to tell them how I work. I have always felt it difficult to reply. During the three years in which I was President of Cheshunt College, Cambridge, I attempted to talk to the students on the subject. The notes of what I then said are embodied in these Lectures. In 1925 I gave them to the students of the Biblical Seminary in New York. They then appeared in condensed form in the Biblical Review. I have now simply taken these reprints, and recast them.
In so far as Rules
are found here, they may be largely ignored, for as I have said in the course of these studies no man can make Rules
for another. But I hold that the Principles set forth are of fundamental importance and vital value in preaching.
In sending the book forth I hope it may be found of some help to those believing in the supreme place of preaching, are desirous of some guidance in the sacred work.
G. CAMPBELL MORGAN
Westminster Chapel, London
Chapter I—The Essentials of a Sermon
In Ephesians 4:8-12, verses 8 and 10 constitute a parenthesis. These verses are important, but if for the moment we leave them out, we gain a continuity of thought and statement.
Therefore He saith, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.... And He gave some to be apostles (the words ‘to be’ are quite unnecessary; though put in by the translators to make good sense they do not make good sense);
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ."
These gifts are not for the work of ministering, but for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering. He gave them in order that those possessing them might perfect the saints unto the work of the ministry. That work can only be fulfilled by all the saints.
In Romans 10: 12-15, we read: "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon Him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
The reading of these passages introduces us to an atmosphere. Behind the subject of preaching is that of the specific Christian ministry, constituted by the gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon some within the Church. The whole question of the ministry is involved in that of preaching. Men or women called into this special ministry of preaching are so called by the bestowment of a gift, whatever the gift may be. They should not be confused.
I think we are making a great mistake in much of our thinking and training when we imagine that every Christian minister ought to be somewhat of a prophet, somewhat of an evangelist, and somewhat of a pastor and teacher. I believe that today in the Christian Church these gifts are entirely distinct. But preaching is the vocation of all of them. The apostle, the prophet, the evangelist, and the pastor and teacher are called to preach. I am now concerned with preaching.
The supreme work of the Christian minister is the work of preaching. This is a day in which one of our greatest perils is that of doing a thousand little things to the neglect of the one thing, which is preaching.
I commend the gathering together of all the words in the New Testament—and of course I mean the Greek New Testament that refer to the exercise of speech for the impartation of truth. We find eight or ten different Greek words, every one indicating some phase of this work of preaching. There are two however which are supreme. In our translations they are not always made distinct. All the rest are incidental, though valuable, Euaggelizo and kerusso are the words, which indicate the supreme phases of our preaching, and show us the whole New Testament ideal thereof.
Euaggelizo means to preach the Gospel. The one word is translated by our phrase, preach the Gospel.
Literally it means the proclamation of good news. It is the word from which we derive our words evangel,
evangelist,
and evangelistic,
which come directly by transliteration, rather than by translation, from the Greek word.
If preaching is proclaiming good news, that suggests two things; the need of man, and the grace of God. Those two things are postulated by the very word that is used to describe preaching from the New Testament standpoint. Proclamation of the good news to men will suggest that men are needing good news. Human need is the background. All the race’s sin and sorrow and perplexity are implied. Then, of course, it recognizes the whole fact of grace, that stupendous fact of Divine revelation, the grace of God.
Preaching as proclaiming good news postulates human need and Divine grace. Whenever we preach, we stand between those two things, between human need and Divine grace. We are the messengers of that grace to that need. The other word, kerusso, is a very interesting term, meaning really a proclamation from a throne. The word is spoken as being delivered by a messenger on behalf of a ruler. Consequently in the use of the word we have two ideas again to note: the authorizing Throne, and therefore the consequent claim that the messenger is called upon to make.
Merge these two things very briefly. What is preaching? It has a hundred particulars and varieties and intonations.
But here is the unifying thought. Preaching is the declaration of the grace of God to human need on the authority of the Throne of God; and it demands on the part of those who hear that they show obedience to the thing declared. I once heard a man at a ministerial conference say: In the old days preaching was a conflict between the preacher and the crowd. He was in the presence of the crowd to compel the crowd to submission. That day has gone. The preacher’s vocation has changed.
I wonder, I think, if preaching has failed, or if it is failing, that is why. The preacher should never address a crowd without remembering that his ultimate citadel is the citadel of the human will. He may travel along the line of the emotions, but he is after