Advice to Young Preachers Ten Gems
E.A. Johnston teaches that young preachers can transform their ministries by embracing ten essential biblical truths that convict, challenge, and call for holy living under Christ's lordship.
In this teaching sermon, E.A. Johnston offers ten foundational truths that young preachers should embrace to enhance their effectiveness. Drawing from biblical principles, Johnston highlights the importance of preaching conviction, repentance, holiness, and the lordship of Christ. He encourages preachers to rely on the Holy Spirit's anointing and to boldly proclaim the gospel with reverence toward God. This sermon serves as a practical guide for molding young ministers into impactful gospel messengers.
Full Transcript
Most pastors are set in their ways and have little desire to change. They're like a great ocean liner that cannot be easily turned. But I believe young preachers can be molded for good with the following truths of the gospel.
When I have personally preached these ten gems of biblical preaching, I have seen God move in the midst of his people. I've seen the careless silenced, the indifferent brought to tears. I've witnessed sinners awaken to their lost condition, a spiritual transformation in the hearts of my hearers.
And I've seen an entire congregation unable to move under Holy Spirit conviction. I will list these ten truths or these ten gems for you now, friends. And I'll say this, if a preacher were to incorporate just a few of these, it would transform his pulpit ministry by leaps and bounds.
Here now are the ten gems of effectual preaching. Number one, preach for conviction of sin. Number two, preach for the disturbing presence of Christ.
Number three, preach the badness of man's heart and his ruined condition. Number four, preach God's demand for repentance. Number five, preach man's utter necessity of regeneration.
Number six, preach about a final judgment where all men will be held up against the severity and strictness of God's unbending law. Number seven, preach against sin in the lives of your hearers and God's call to holiness. Number eight, preach about the miseries and torments of damnation in a burning hell.
Number nine, preach about the cross in the life of the believer and the cost of discipleship. And lastly, number 10, preach up the lordship of Jesus Christ, who has rights and claims on all followers of his in their daily living. One final word, friends, a God-called preacher will be anointed by the Holy Spirit and he will fear God and not man.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Preach for conviction of sin
- Preach the disturbing presence of Christ
- Preach the badness of man's heart and his ruined condition
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II
- Preach God's demand for repentance
- Preach man's necessity of regeneration
- Preach about final judgment and God's law
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III
- Preach against sin and call to holiness
- Preach the miseries of damnation in hell
- Preach the cross and cost of discipleship
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IV
- Preach up the lordship of Jesus Christ
- Be anointed by the Holy Spirit
- Fear God, not man
Key Quotes
“If a preacher were to incorporate just a few of these, it would transform his pulpit ministry by leaps and bounds.” — E.A. Johnston
“Preach for conviction of sin.” — E.A. Johnston
“A God-called preacher will be anointed by the Holy Spirit and he will fear God and not man.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Young preachers should focus on preaching truths that convict and call for repentance to see spiritual transformation.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit's anointing rather than human approval in ministry.
- Boldly proclaim Christ's lordship and call believers to live holy lives.