As the week winds down, I figured I’d share a few preaching resources that have been of use to me lately.  R. L. Dabney’s book Evangelical Eloquence: A Course of Lectures on Preaching is an excellent book detailing the importance of preaching well.  I recently wrote a post at Historia Salutis explaining how Dabney considered preaching to be an art and that given the nature of the message, we have a duty not only to preach, but to preach well.
John Calvin’s sermons on Genesis 1-11 have now been published by …

RTS has an annual John Reed Miller Lecture Series. In 2005 they hosted Sinclair Ferguson. Dr. Ferguson gave a series of lectures on preaching Christ and preaching the Gospel. The lectures he delivered were:
Preaching ChristReaching Our StandardsUsing our Grids

Here is the link to very insightful quote by Derek Thomas on preaching the God-breathed Scriptures.

I recently found this short work by Sinclair Ferguson on preaching Christ from the Old Testament. It is really quite helpful.

Here is the link to sermons that Dale Ralph Davis preached during his time (1988-1993) at Aisquith Presbyterian Church in Parkville, MD . Currently, Rev. Davis is the Pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS. You can find his recent sermons here. Dr. Davis is also well known for his Old Testament Commentaries, published in the Christian Focus series. The set includes his commentary on Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings. I would also recommend this book for any preacher of …

As I continue to make my way through John Carrick’s new volume, The Preaching of Jonathan Edwards, I am continually astounded at the Northampton pastor-theologian’s preaching skills. A particularly interesting chapter for me was the one on Edwards’ sermon delivery. Edwards has the reputation of reading his sermon manuscripts from the pulpit looking up from the sacred desk every once in awhile to gaze at the church bell rope! This is one of those myths that refuses to die, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, but …

Here is an interesting story about ministers and their motives in preaching. I’m not sure its entirely accurate on every level but I do think it is a good reminder of the need to examine motives.

In a day when we have the privilege of listening to any preacher in the world at the push of a button I find it interesting to know who some of the best preachers in the church listen to. In this video John Piper answers the question, “Who do you listen to?” I think the answer he gives is interesting for two reasons. First, both ministers he mentions are highly doctrinal preachers. Second, both men, he explains, were highly serious men. Listen for yourself:

While its been some time since I’ve watched this, I have often thought about how valuable a lesson is here for Gospel preachers. I have heard too many preachers preach the word of God with uncertainty. This is a humorous reminder to us who have the best and most powerful message in the world.

As I continue to read through Iain Murray’s splendid volume Lloyd-Jones: Messenger of Grace I have been blessed and strengthened by the example set by the good doctor ML-J. This evening I read through the chapter on Old Testament evangelistic sermons (55-83) and was impressed with ML-J’s concern with using the Old Testament to open the eyes of the lost to their true condition. It is a beautiful thing to behold the use to which ML-J put the text of the OT.* Lloyd-Jones was really doing …

In his wonderfully helpful book Thoughts on Preaching J.W. Alexander notes how a minister who is not bound to a schedule for his study, but who gives himself to the free, unrestrained study of a variety of books, and of thinking a multitude of thoughts unexpectedly, is often generating the most valuable insights. He put it this way:
I could never understand those people who divide their day into portions…and allot so much to one study, and so much to another. I used to make such schedules when I was a …

I am currently reading through Iain Murray’s latest book on the preaching of David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. There is much about the book I could comment on, but what caught my attention the other day was ML-J’s emphasis on doctrinal preaching. I offer a hearty amen to his unpopular stand on the necessity of clear, persuasive doctrinal preaching. Is there really any other legitimate kind? (That is a rhetorical question demanding a “no”!)
Murray, in speaking about the unpopular nature of books of sermons, notes that ML-J was the …

Arturo G. Azurdia, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Director of Pastoral Mentoring at Western Sminary in Portland, Oregon, has spent most of his career studying the doctrine of Spirit- empowered preaching. Azurdia is a good example of strong, Reformed expository preaching. I remember Dr. Pipa telling us in seminary that of all the sermons he had heard through the years none impacted him as much as one he heard Arturo preach at Westminster Seminary, California. You can find many of his sermons here.

Joel Beeke recently delivered this lecture on Christ Centered Preaching.

      Recently, as I have been reading through various articles and blogs I have come to realize that we really do lack a simplicity in the way we express the deepest biblical truths. Please don’t get me wrong. I believe that we should always move from the milk of the word to the meat of the word. Anyone who wants only milk is a babe and has not come to full maturity in Christ. There is an inexhaustible mine of riches in the Gospel that we must labor …

Today was the second day I attended the Biblical Exposition Workship at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. The Event is sponsored by The Charles Simeon Trust. The primary speakers were Phil Ryken and David Helm. I have greatly benefited from the instruction, preaching, and fellowship over the past two days. In between each of the speaking sessions the men break off into small groups and discuss various passages from 1 Kings or the Sermon on the Mount. The theme of this years workshop is “Preaching Christ as King.” Phil has …

The current edition of Reformation 21’s online magazine is out with two very good articles on the preaching of several Puritans and Luther. Derek Thomas has written a fine article on the preaching of the Puritans that can be found here. And Phil Ryken has written a brief article on Martin Luther’s preaching of the birth narratives that can be found here. Both articles are helpful and both encourage us to go read and reread the works mentioned.

I recently visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. I was blessed as I walked through the exhibit by watching videos of him preaching in his earlier days. Honestly, I’ve never heard a man preach with such passion, vigor, and unction! And all to the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!
I found two powerful sermons of his online. The first is about death. The second is on the value of the soul. Enjoy!
http://64.34.176.235/sermons/SID5489.mp3
http://64.34.176.235/sermons/SID0874.mp3