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Preaching For Success:
The Results a Preacher can Realistically Expect
Through the Faithful Preaching of God's Word
Abstract
The pulpit stands center stage in most
evangelical churches. This
observation from church architecture underscores the importance that the
church places on preaching. For
most ministers, preaching takes priority in their weekly calender. They invest an immense amount of time and energy into
sermon preparation and delivery. Most
preachers desire to be successful in their pulpit ministry yet many
question whether or not it is. This
purpose of this thesis is to define successful preaching and list the
results a preacher can realistically expect through the faithful preaching
of God’s Word.
The basis of this thesis is the nature and
authority of the Word of God. The
author will posit that the Bible, the sixty-six books of the Christian
canon, is the authoritative Word of God and, therefore, is powerfully
effective to bring about change and growth in the lives of people. Further, the faithful preaching of the Biblical message
is also the Word of God and, therefore, powerfully effective to bring
about change and growth in the lives of the listeners.
The effective power of God’s Word is, however, affected by three
variables: the sovereignty of God, listener response, and the message
preached. While the
preacher cannot control either the sovereignty of God nor listener
response, he is able to remove the obstacles to the faithful and effective
preaching of God’s Word.
This thesis begins by laying the theological
foundation for building a case for success in preaching: the nature and
authority of both God’s Word written and God’s Word preached.
Next, the vast field of homiletical literature will be explored in
order to define the criteria that can be used to measure and maximize
successful preaching. One
chapter will describe the purpose and process of a preaching group that
was formed to encourage successful preaching. This thesis ends with the author’s findings, conclusions,
and recommendations for maximizing the results a preacher can
realistically expect from the faithful preaching of God’s Word.
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