JesusOurExampleAsAPreacher TheworldhasneverseenabetterpreacherthanourLordJesusChrist.Itshouldbetheaimofeverypreacherto preachlikeHim,asfaraspossible. ThereisanoldbookonthepreachingstyleofJesusthatwaspublishedin1910,titledTheMasterPreacher(Itis outofprintnowandnotavailable).Itisanexcellentstudybutaverylargebookandheavytoread(319pages). Someofthemainpointsmentionedinitarelistedbelow. IhavealsoattachedanarticlethatIwrotesomeyearsagoaboutmyownstyleofpreachingasIhavesoughtto followJesusexample. StudyingthepreachingstyleofJesuswillchallengeyoutochangeyourpreachingstyle.Dontholdontoyourown styleorthestyleofpreachingfoundinChristendomtoday,whereyouseethatJesusstylewasdifferent.Bebold andhumbleenoughtochange.DeterminetofollowJesusexampleradically.YouwillthenfindthatGodsupports youmightilyandblessesyourministry. WeneedmoreexamplestodayofpreacherswhopreachlikeJesusdid.

ZacPoonen THEMASTERPREACHER ByA.R.Bond (Published1910) (Nowinpublicdomain) (Somequotesfromthebook) JesusdidnothaveanyfixedhoursforHispreaching.Hewasatworkatalltimesoftheyearandwasintensely activethroughoutHispublicministry.AllclassesofpeoplemadeupHisaudienceandHehadanappropriate messageforeachone.Hepreachedtothemultitudespublicly,butmuchmoretoHistwelvedisciplesprivately.He travelledalloverIsraelandaddressedthevillageandtowncrowdswithequalease.Individualsreceivedthesame carefromHimasthemultitudesdid.Hedidnotpreferthepoorsimplybecauseoftheirpoverty.Therichcould cometoHimtooiftheyhumbledthemselves. Inthefirstthreegospels,wereadof31conversationsthatJesushadwith28personson24occasions.InJohn's gospel,wereadof24conversationsthathehadwith17people.8conversationsthatHehadwithPeterare highlighted. Jesussawtheimportanceofeveryopportunityandneverletanyofthemslip.John3:10&4:18areinstancesof Hismakinguseofthetimesofsensitivitytoreligioustruths,andreachingeachpersonwithanappropriate message(notjustastandardone). JesuswasalwaysfreelyapproachableandHemademuchoftheindividual.Hehadaspecialconsiderationfor womenandchildren,evenifitmeantthatattimeshehadtogoagainstthesocialnormsofHisday(asinJohn4). Hewasthefriendofsinnersrightuptotheend. Jesuspreachedinthetemple,inthesynagoguesandintheopenair.Hepreachedinthehomesofpeople disregardingtheirsocialposition,theirfinancialstandingandtheirpurity. HealwaysgottheattentionofpeoplewhenHepreached.Hispreachingwasalwaysseriousandpassionate.He avoidedjokingandlightheartednessinHismessagesandnevertrifledwiththegreattruthsofeternity.Hewas alwaysdignified.HispreachingwasconversationalinstyleandHeencouragedpeopletoaskquestions.His personalitywasauthoritativeandHisinsightintoman'sthoughtprocesseswasremarkablyaccurate.Each messageHepreachedfittedtheoccasion.

HISMETHODS
HishomeatNazarethbroughtHimintouchwiththemiddleclassofsociety,andHissympatheticheartledHim todiscovertheconditionofthepoorandtheunfortunateinsociety.HeusedthereligiousideasofHisdayasa startingpointandthenexposedtheirerrors.

Intellectually,JesusmadeHispreachingunderstandabletoHisaudienceandadaptedittothelevelofHishearers (Mark4:33).Hewassimple,yetdeep,andneverusedfancywords.Themindbeingthedoortotheemotionsand will,Hetouchedthemindfirst. TheemotionsofHisaudiencewerearousedbyJesuspreaching.Amazementisrecordedon34occasionsonthe partoftheaudience.On18occasions,sorrowismentionedasbeingcausedoralleviatedbyHim.Therewasalso, anger,joy,jealousy,hopeandhatred.HisaiminarousingsuchemotionswasnevertosatisfyHimselforfor sensationalism,butalwaystoleadpeopletorightliving. ThewillwaswhatJesusfinallysoughttomoveinmeninallHispreaching.Heworkedtowardsthisgoaltoget mentosubmittotallytothewillofGod. Hislogic.Heestablishedhispointsstepbystep.Matthew19:17;6:28ff;10:25;11:16ff;12:24ff;7:9ff;12:11;Luke 11:5ff;14:28;15:4;17:7;John3:2ff;4:7ff;8:3ff'8:17ff;10:34ff. Illustrations.Heusedmanyfiguresofspeech.Thereare62ofthemintheSermonontheMountalonee.g. salt,light,bread,etc.,Awiderangeoflifewascovered.Jesusenteredintothefulllifeandinterestsofmenand wasnotahermit.Heusedmanyillustrationsfromagriculturalandhomelife.Thephysicalworldgavehimmany themesforspiritualrealities.Hiswordpicturesweresimpleandbrief.Hisillustrationsdidnotalwaystellthefull story.Heleftsomethingtotheimaginationofthehearers,becauseHewantedmentothink.Jesusalwaysused clear,simplewords.Heneverusedanyabstract,difficultwords.Heusedwordpicturesonlywheretheymadethe truthclearer. Interrogation.Thereare237distinctquestionsrecordedthatJesusasked.Thisisundoubtedlythebestmethodof preaching.ButonemustbeintouchwithGodandmustknowGodsWordthoroughly,tobeabletohaveaready answeralways.Jesusknewthethoughtprocessesofmensowellthatevenwhenpeopleneversaidanything,itis writtenthat"Jesusansweredandsaid". Denunciations.Jesusdenouncedwickednesswithoutanyrespectofpersons.Heneversoughtacceptancethrough nameorpositioninsociety.Heusedsharpironyandsarcasmandthusmademanyenemieswhofinallykilled Him.ButHisdenunciationsweretotallyfreefromanypersonalvenomorhatred. Repetition.JesusrepeatedHismessagesoftenindifferentplaces.Hewasmoreconcernedtomeettheneedsof menthantoearnareputationforsayingsomenewthingoneachoccasion.Healsorepeatedmessagesandthemes tothesameaudienceaboutthekingdomofGod,GodasaFather,love,watchfulness,selfdenial,thecross,etc. Jesusalwayspackedmuchintoafewwords. Jesusneversoughttomovepeoplebythepoweroforatory.Hewantedpeopletobemovedbythecontentof Hismessage. Posture.Jesuspreachedstandingaswellassitting.Heprayedstandingwhileinpublic,andkneelinginprivate devotions.HetouchedmanywhomHehealedandalsolittlechildren.ThesetouchesbroughtHimnearertothose peopleinspiritaswell.HeusedHishandswhilespeakingtoo(Matt12:49).Helookedup(Mark6:41;7:34;John 11:41;17:1),andalsoattimeslookedatcertainpeopledirectly(Mark3:5,34;8:33'10:21;Luke6:20;20:17; 22:61). Humourandirony.Jesuswasamasterofirony.Heusedfiguresthatthecommonmancouldappreciate.He couldturnanoccasionofembarrassmentintooneofprofit(Matt22:21).SeealsoMatthew7:15;11:17;23:24; Luke11:3741;14:1223. Startlingsayings.Jesussometimesmadestartlingstatementstomaketheaudiencethink.SeeMatt5:29,30; 6:24;9:11ff;11:11;15:14;16:28;16:7,21ff;24:42,43;Mark9:10;10:26,30;Luke2:41ff,12:51;John2:19;6:60. Attimes,JesuswouldwalkawayaftersayingsomethingMatt13:53;15:21;16:4;19:1,15.CompareLuke12:51 withJohn14:27;andJohn9:39with12:47;andJohn6:37with44.

HISTHEMES
Jesususedspecificoccasionstoemphasisecertainspecifictruths(Matt12:4650;Mark12:4144;Luke22:2430; John4:35).HetaughttruththatcouldbeunderstoodfullyonlygraduallyasonegrewinChristlikeness. Hespokemainlyontheseseventhemes:

ThekingdomofGod(78references) GodtheFather. EternalLife Selfdenial Sinandrighteousness Love Hisdeathandresurrection

HereferredtoHimselfastheSonofman52times. Healsospokeonminorthemessuchastheevangelizationoftheworld,fasting,almsgivingetc.,Jesusnever lostthetruerelationoftruthsonetoanother. Jesuslaiddownprinciplestoguidemenineveryrelationshipanddutyinlife.InHispreaching,Heembracedall classesandagesofpeopleandallcontingencies. Hespokeonsubjectsofsupremeimportanceandnotonthetrivialtopicsthattherabbisdiscussed(cf.Matt 23:23).Heneverspokeonphilosophy,reformorpolitics. JesusspokelogicallyanddidnotwanderfromHistheme.Heusedexhortation,parables,interrogation,teaching etc.,tomakethepresenceandloveofGodrealtomenandtoimpresstheirresponsibilitiesuponthem. HismessagereflectedHisownexperienceandHelivedHismessagebeforepreachingit(Acts1:1). TheOldTestament.Inthegospelrecords,thereare34directquotationsfromtheOldTestamentand23allusions toOldTestamenteventsintheteachingofJesus.HehadlearnttheOldTestamentathome,inthevillageschool andinthesynagogue.PortionsofScripturehadtobememorizedbyHebrewboys.Hismothermusthavetaught Himtoo.JesusacceptedtheDivineinspirationoftheOldTestamentwithoutanyquestion.TheOldTestamentwas aformativeforceinthespirituallifeofJesus. Jesuslivedinadaywheneveryoneblindlyfollowedtheopinionsofdeadscholars.Therabbiwassuperiorto Scripture.Originalityandfreshnesswereunknown.Inthemidstofallthis,Jesuswasoriginal(Matt7:29).He interpretedtheOldTestamentspiritually,replacingthecustomaryceremonialinterpretation,andraisedits standards(Matthew5). Jesuspreachingwasalwaystopicalandthisisthewaytheapostlesalsopreached,followingHisexample.He quotedfromtheOldTestament,butneveranylongpassages.In29outofthe34quotationsJesususedsomesign ofquotation,suchas,"Itiswritten".HemadeswordthrustsattimeswithpointedversesfromtheOldTestament. The34quotationsHemadeweretakenfrom46textsintheOldTestament(28fromthefirst5booksofMoses,7 fromthePsalmsand11fromtheProphets).ThewordsofJesuswerefilledwiththespiritandphraseologyofthe OldTestament.HeusedOldTestamentexamplestorebukethetraditionsofthepeople(Matt12:15). ControversialIssues.TheJewsweremoreconcernedwiththeirprivilegesasGod'schosenpeoplethanwiththeir correspondingresponsibilitytothenations.Jesuspreachedthenecessityofapersonal,vitalrelationshipwith God.TheJewsgaveundueimportancetothehistoricopinionsofdeadrabbis.Jesusemphasisedthespiritofthe WordandrebukedtheirBibliolatry.TheJewishMessianichopeincludedworldlyhonourandpower.Jesus attackedthis. HisenemiesconsideredJesusmediocre,becauseofHishumbleorigin.ButHispopularityarousedtheirenvy (John7:12;11:48)andHisgivingmoreattentiontothecheatingtaxcollectorsirritatedthem.Sotheyaccused HimofblasphemyandofbeinginleaguewithSatan. SixtimestheychargedJesuswithdesecratingtheSabbath.Jesustaughtthatthetraditionsoftheelderswerea hindrancetofaithandtothetrueserviceofGod. Wereadof22instanceswhereJesusarguedwithHisenemiesdefensively(asinJohn8:7;Matt22:21).On4 occasionsJesuskeptsilentagainstthechargeslevelledatHimandthisenragedHisenemies.Herefusedtoshow signs,butoccasionallyusedmiraclestodefendHismessage(Matt9:6;Luke14:16).

HISMIRACLES
Therecordsinthegospelsmention26miraclesofhealingand8miraclesofnaturethatJesusdiduptothetimeof Hisdeath.(12miraclesofhealingweredonewithphysicalcontact).ThemiraclesofJesuswerenotmeanttobe spectaculardemonstrations.FivetimesHerefusedtodoamiraclewhenaskedto(SeeMatt.12:38,45;16:14; Luke23:812;John2:1322;6:2259). ThemiraclesofJesuswerenotmeanttocreateanaudience.Onlyonce(Luke8:39)didJesusaskthehealed persontotellothers;andonthatoccasionitwasbecauseJesusHimselfwasgoingawayfromthereimmediately. Fourtimes,Heclearlyforbadeit(Matt8:24;9:2731;Mark7:3237;8:2226).Thetemptationtodrawcrowds throughmiraclesmighthavebeentoostrongforonewhowaslessconfidentinthepowerofhistruth,less consecratedtohissacrificialmissionandlessacquaintedwiththevacillatingnatureofpeople. Jesus'miracleswerearesponsetohumanneed.Heneveroncefailedtorespondtorealneed.Healwaysactedin theinterestofothers.HeneverprofitedbyHisownmiraclesexceptinMatt14:1323;15:3238;(multiplyingthe loavesandfishes);and17:2427(findingacoininafishsmouth)andinallthesecasesitwasforthebenefitof othersalso.ThemiraclesweremanifestationsoftheDivinecompassion. ThemiraclesalsohadanevidentialvalueinthattheyattestedthePersonofJesus(John2:11,23;Mark2:10,11; butcompareJohn12:37).ThegreatestnumberofmiracleswereperformedduringthemiddleperiodofHis ministrythetimeofmaximumopposition. Spiritualtruthwasalwaysmeanttobecentral(seetheascendingorderinMatt11:5)(John10:37,38).Jesustaught thatsomediseasescamethroughsin(John5:14),butnotall(John9:3). JesusoftenusedtheoccasionofHismiraclestoteachsometruth.

HISGENTLENESS
Gentlenessisthemarkofthegreatsoul(Matt12:20).Jesuscouldneverlookunmovedatthestrugglingmassesof people.Hisinterestinpeoplewasamasterpassion.Hisheartwasfullofcompassion(Matt9:36;14:14;18:27; Mark1:41;6:34;John11:35).BeingtemptedlikeallothermenincreasedHissympathy(Heb2:18;4:15). Jesusalwaysmaintainedalovabledispositioninspiteofotherpressures.Hewasneveronceinabadmood.There isnotonecaseofrejectedrequestsforhealing.Hewasgentleandfriendlytowardsdespisedsinners(Luke7:34; Matt11:28).Hecaredforthelowlythelepers,theinsane,theblindandthedemoniacs.Heelevatedwomanto thesideofman.Hewastrulychivalrous. HisgentlenesshoweverdidnotpreventhimfrombeingfirmwherethewillofGodwasconcerned(John6:15; Matt16:23;John7:38;Luke9:51).Heknewhowandwhenandwhomtorebukeandtocomfort.Hehadan appropriatewordforeachpersonandforeachoccasion(Matt8:26withJohn14:1;andLuke7:4446with48,50; John12:38). HisgentlenesswasreflectedinthetoneofHisvoice.Heneverspokeinharsh,cruelorrepulsivetonesthough Heknewhowtorebukesternly.ChildrenwereattractedtoHim,andnotfrightenedbyHisvoiceorappearance. JesusdispelledtheshadowsandchasedawaygloomanddespairwhereverHewent.

HISSIMPLICITY
Jesus'personalappearancewassimple.HefollowedthemannersofHispeopleinmattersofdress.Themiddle classfamilytowhichHebelongednormallyworewhiteclothes(asmendoeventodayinthevillagesofIndia). ThestyleofJesuspreachingwasfreefromadornment,fromcomplexconstructionandfromobscurethoughts.He didnotseektoobtainareputationforlearningeitherthroughamysticalunintelligiblemessageorthroughquoting thegreatwritersofhistory.TheonlyBookHeeverquotedwastheOldTestament. HismessagewasclearandsimpleandHewastotallyconfidentofwhatHetaught.Therewasneveranyrevision ofteachingorcorrectingofearliererrors.MenofallclassescouldunderstandHimiftheywerewillingtodothe willofGodalone(John7:17).Healwaysspokeinthelanguageofthecommonman.Hisillustrationswerealways fromthelifethatthecommonpeoplewerefamiliarwith. Hispersonallifestyle,likeHismessage,wassimple.Hispersonalneedswerefew.HetookHisroughfishermen

discipleswithHimtosocialfunctionswithouttheslightestembarrassment.Hewashumbleenoughtoaccept invitationsformeals,evenwhenHeknewthatHecouldnotreturntheirhospitality.Hehadnodesiretobequoted byothersorbyfuturegenerationsasascholar.HisonlyambitionwastodoHisFather'swill.Hismotiveswere crystalclear,andthereforeHisfaceandparticularlyHiseyeswereclear(foraman'sfaceandeyesreflecthisinner soul).

HISINNERLIFE
JesuswasaveryobservantmanakeenwatcheroflifearoundHim.ThisisevidentfromHisparablesandword pictures. Hewaswellbalancedintellectuallyandemotionally.Hewasintenselyemotional,butHeneverallowedthatto disturbHisserenityofpurpose.Hewasidealistic,butHisidealismdidnotmakeHimforgettheconditionsin whichmenlived.HiswordstothePhariseesandtorepentantsinnersshowHisperfectpoise.Henevergot irritatedorupsetwithanyone,nordidHeallowHimselftobecarriedawayemotionallybythesightof humanneed. HelivedinthefearofGodandwithoutcommittingsin,andsoHismind,emotionsandwillfunctionedperfectly. Hisinnerlifewastotallyfreefromthefearoftheaccidental.Hismindmadejudgmentsnotaccordingto theinformationfedtoitbyHissenses,butbyactivelyseekingtohearHisFather'svoice(Isa.11:3,4).Andso anycriticismHemadewasalwaysrightandalwaysconstructive. JesususedHisimagination(Mt9:36;Lk10:19),butitalwaysresultedindeedsofservice.Hethoughtintermsof concreterealitiesratherthanabstracttruths.HecontrolledHismindtothinkclearly,logicallyandpositively.Yet asaMan,Hismindhadallthelimitationsthatthenormalhumanmindhas(Mk11:13,13:32). Jesusemotionallifewasinvolvedintheinterestsofotherpeopleneverselfcentred.AsaLoverofmenHe sharedthesorrowsandjoysofthosearoundHim.Hespokethetruthbutalwaysinlove.Heenteredintohuman sufferingandiscalledamanofsorrows(Mk7:34;8:12).Hispreachingwasfullofemotionaloptimism.Hewas neverdiscouraged.Herejoiced(Lk10:21;Jn15:11;17:13);Hewasangry(Mk3:5;10:14;Mt9:30; 16:23;21+1217;Jn2:1322)andHewasamazedtwiceMatt.8:10(atsomeonesfaith)andMark6:6(atthe unbeliefofsome). HiswillwassetonseekingthegloryofGodalone.HecontrolledHimselfinexcitingsituations.Theenmityof HisenemiesandtheadviceofhisfriendsneveraffectedHisdecisions.Thoughpossessingastrongwill,He neveronceimposedHiswillonothers.Henevercompelledanyonetodoanything.Hedidnotholdpeopleto HimselfbyHissoulpower. Jesuswasamanofprayer.Thereare16recordedinstancesofthisinthegospels.Theseincludeprayersof thanksgiving(Mt11:25;26;Jn11:41),intercession(Lk22:32;23:34;Jn17),prayersforspiritualstrengthening (Lk3:21;5:1526;Mt14:1523;Jn12:27;Lk22:42)forwisdom(Mk1:35ff;Lk6:12,13),forrevelationtobe giventoothers(Lk9:1827;28,29;11:1). Jesustaughtthatprayermustbeofferedinhumility(Lk18:1014),insincerity(Mt6:515),withobedience(Jn 15:7),withfaith(Mk11:24),andwithfasting(Mt17:21).

HISPOWERANDHISAUTHORITY
JesusspokeasaKingandwithimpassionedseriousness.Heneverspokeinthehesitatingtoneofaseekerafter truth.HisdeliverywasconfidentandauthoritativeandHecompellednoticeevenbyHistone. Hispersonalbearinganddemeanourwereauthoritative.HeneverdemeanedHimselftoseekthegoodwillofthose withsocialorreligiouspower.HecarriedHimselfwiththeairofonewhoseresourceswouldnotfaileven underthemostcriticalandseveredemands.Hisserenitywasunbroken.Hismannerawedothers(Lk4:30; Mk1:22;Jn18:6). Hewascarelessofpersonaldangers(Lk13:32)andcourageouslyattackedsin.Heevenpointedoutfaultsin HisfriendsandHisdisciples.Healwaysspokedirectlytotheheart. HewasdefiniteinHisownmindaboutthemessageHepreached,andHeknewhowtoadaptittoeach

opportunity.Hereadthesignsofthetimes,soughttherightmomentforHismessageandknewwhenandwhat tospeak.HenevermisplacedHisanger.Heknewhowtomeeteachcaseuponitsownmerits.HeadaptedHis ministrytotherealissuesoflife(Mt6:33),HeneverwastedHistimetalkingaboutpolitics,scienceorpoetry. HispoweralsolayinthefactthatHewasperpetuallyaccessibletoallmenfortheirvariedneeds.Peoplefelt thattheythussharedHislifeandthattheirburdenscouldbeplacedonHim.Hisgraciousnessdrewothersto HimselfandHisphysicaltouchbroughtHimneartothesick. Yet,inspiteofHisauthorityandpower,Herespectedthedignityofmanasafreemoralagenthavingafreedom givenhimbyGodtochoose.JesusneverusedHispowerorauthoritytoviolatethisfreedom. Andso,theauthorityofJesuscamefrom 1. TheanointingoftheHolySpiritthatHereceivedatHisbaptism. 2. HisrelationshipwithHisFather,inwhichtherewasaperpetualpovertyofspirit,apouringoutofHis soullifeuntodeath,andalifeofabsolutepurityandtotalobedience. 3. Hissympathywiththeneedsofmen.

THERESULTS
TheearthlylifeofJesuslaybetweenabirthinacattleshedandadeathasacriminal.Neitherofthesewould suggestasuccessfulcareerintheeyesoftheworld.Heneversoughttobeappreciatedorrecognizedbyany man. JesusmadenoefforttodrawcrowdstohearHim.Whenthecrowdscame(Lk4:37;Jn12:19)spontaneously Hewasnotdeceived.TherewerethosewhofollowedHimwholeheartedlyandthosewhohatedHim.Therewere conversions,discipleship,worship,lovingministriesandappreciation,aswellasdefections,abuseand misunderstanding. ButHereincarnatedHismessageandHimselfinthelivesofHisfollowersandturnedthemintothewayofthe cross.ThiswasHissuccess. AREYOUWILLINGTOCHANGEYOURPREACHINGSTYLENOW?

MYSTYLEOFPREACHING ZacPoonen God,inHisgreatwisdom,decidedthatHewouldsavepeoplebythefoolishnessofpreaching(1Cor.1:21 KJV).PreachingGodsWordisthereforethegreatestworkthatanyhumanbeingcanbeengagedin.Ifeelgreatly honouredthatGodcalledmetothisministry.Butpreachingisalsotheoneministrythathasbeenabusedthe most,bymoneylovingpreachersanddeceivers. Wearecommandedtoseekearnestlyforthegiftofprophecy(whichisthegiftofpreachinginsuchawayasto encourage,challengeandbuilduppeople1Cor.14:1,3).SoIbegantoseekGodforthisgiftassoonasIwas baptized(atage21).AndwhenGodanointedmewiththeHolySpirit(atage23),Hegavemethisgiftaswell.In thebeginning,Iwastemptedtotryandimpresspeoplewithmypreachingandtomovethememotionally.Butone daytheLordaskedme,Doyouwanttohelppeopleordoyouwanttoimpressthem.IsaidIwantedtohelp them.ThentheLordsaid,Thendonttrytoimpressthem.Itwasnoteasytoovercomethetemptationtoimpress people,butIfoughtagainstit,andgraduallyovercameit. Eachpreacherhashisownparticularstyleofpreaching.MostIndianpreachersimitateAmericancharismatic preachers.IdecidedthatthebestthingformewouldbetopatternmypreachingafterJesusstyleofpreaching.So IstudiedthewayJesuspreached. ThefirstthingIsawaboutJesuswasthatHepreachedonlywhatHehadalreadypracticed.Hedidfirstandthen taught(Acts1:1).SoHispreachingalwayshadapracticalapplication.IknewthattheBiblecommandedmeto prophesyonlyaccordingtotheproportionofmyfaith(Rom.12:6)inotherwords,onlyuptothelevelofmy

spiritualexperience.ButIfailedhere,becauseIfellapreytothetemptationtoimpresspeople.Andso,Iendedup inabacksliddenconditionforsomeyears.ButGodwasmercifultomeandfilledmewiththeHolySpiritagainin January1975andrestoredme.Idecidedthen,thatIwouldpreachthereafteronlywhatIhadalreadyexperienced, or(atleast)whatIwasearnestlyseekingafter.GodthentookmethroughvariedtrialsinordertoteachmeHis waysandhowtotrustHimindifficultsituations.ThusIgrewinfaithandwisdomandIcouldpassonthisfaith andwisdomtoothersthroughmypreaching. Secondly,JesusalwayspreachedinthepoweroftheHolySpirit.WhenHewalkedwiththetwodisciplesto Emmaus,Hepreachedtothemfortwohoursandtheirheartsburnedwithinthemthroughoutthosetwohours.I keptthisexamplebeforemeandwantedtopreachlikethateverytime.Achickenlegtakenoutofthefreezeris totallyunappetizing.Butthesamelegwhencookedonafiremakeseveryonesmouthtowater.Thatisthe differencebetweencoldtruthandthesametruthpreachedwiththefireoftheHolySpirit.Utterdependenceon theanointingoftheHolySpiritthereforebecameprimaryinallmypreaching.IprayeverytimeIspeakthatGod wouldanointmeinsuchawaythatmywordswouldsetpeoplesheartsonfire. Thirdly,Jesusspokeprimarilytopeoplesmindsandnottotheiremotions.Hispreachingchallengedpeopleand convictedthemandstirredthemtofaithandobedience.Heneverwhippeduptheiremotionsthewaymany preachersdonowadays.WearetoldtoloveGodwithallourheartsandalsowithallourminds.Ifeltthatallmy messagesmustbelikewellcookedmealsbothnourishingandtasty!!SoIneededtotakemorepainsin preparingasermonthananyhousewifeevertooktoprepareagoodmeal.Agoodhousewifealsolaysouthermeal inanattractiveway.Ialsoneededtoarrangemythoughtsclearly,beforeIpreached.Manypreachersdonotdo thisandendupwastingpeoplestimebywanderingaroundintheirpreaching.GodisaGodoforder (1Cor.14:33,40)andHeisglorifiedwhenamessageispresentedinanorderly,understandableway. Fourthly,Jesushadtherightwordforeachoccasionbecauseoftworeasons:HelistenedtoHisFatherconstantly (Isa.50:4)andHehadagreatloveforpeople(Jn.15:13).SoIstudiedGodsWordinallmysparemomentsto knowGodsmindaccurately.TounderstandtheScriptures,manypreachersstudyHebrewandGreek.ButIsaw thatwhatIneededwasnotaknowledgeoftheselanguages,buttherevelationoftheHolySpirit,sinceHewasthe AuthoroftheWord.TheHolySpirittaughtmemanyglorioustruthsfromHisWordthatIhaveneverheardfrom anyhumanbeing.ThesetruthsledmetoacloserwalkwithGodandsavedmefromthedeceptionsand counterfeitsthatarefloodingChristendomtoday.TheSpiritthenenabledmetoteachthesetruthstoothers.The HolySpiritalsofloodedmyheartwithloveandcompassionforHispeople(Rom.5:5).Thusmyministry graduallybecameoneofencouragementandconviction,andnotoneoflegalismandcondemnation. Fifthly,Jesusalwaysheldpeoplesinterestwhenhespoke.Hispreachingwasinterestingandneverboring.Itisa sintowastepeoplestime.Mostpreachersdontrealizethatstealingpeoplestimeisjustlikestealingtheirmoney. Ifweboreacongregationof200peopleforjust15minutes,wehavetherebyrobbedthemof50manhoursof theirtime.IftheiraveragewageisRs.50perhour,wewouldthushavestolenRs.2,500fromtheminthose15 minutes.SoIprayedtoGodthatHewouldhelpmetopreachinaninterestingwayandneverboreanyone.Inthe earlydays,Icoulddothisonlyforshortperiodsoftime.SoIspokeonlybrieflythen.AsIgrewintheknowledge oftheLord,Icouldspeakforlongerperiodsoftime. Sixthly,JesususedmanysimpleillustrationstomakeHismessageclear.Hespokeaboutbread,fishes,birds,trees, flowers,pearls,farmers,buildings,etc.,HissimpleillustrationsmadethedeeptruthsHespokeabout,mucheasier tounderstand.Hedidnotseektogetanameforhimselfbyusingcomplicatedillustrationsthatonlycleverpeople couldunderstand.IsoughttofollowJesusexampleheretoo.Attimes,Iwouldlookatsomeoftheleasteducated peoplesittinginmychurch,andspeakattheirlevel.ThenIfoundthatmymessagescouldbeunderstoodby everyone.Iwouldasklittlechildrenaftermypreaching,whethertheyhadunderstoodwhatIhadsaid.Iftheyhad not,thenIknewthatmypreachinghadtobecomestillmoresimple. Seventhly,Jesususedhumorandexaggerationattimes.Hespokeofacamelgoingthroughaneedleseye,of peoplestrainingoutmosquitoesandswallowingcamels,ofthosewhohadbiglogsintheireyeswhilelookingfor specksintheeyesofothersandthusHeexposedhypocrisyandspiritualpride.Humourcansharpenamessage andmakeitinteresting,justlikespicescanaddtastetofood.Somepreachershowevergotoanextremeinthis, andtrytomakepeoplelaughallthetime(justtogetareputationforhumor).Suchpreachersarelikecircus clowns!Ineverusehumourinmymessagestoentertainpeoplebutonlytokeepthemattentiveduringalong message,ortodrivehomeapoint. Eighthly,JesusrepeatedHismessagesmanytimes.Hedidnotseekforthehonourthatonecanget,bypreaching somethingneworfancifuloneachoccasion.Peopleneedtohearthesametruthmanytimesbeforetheycanbe

grippedbyit.SoIdecidedthatIwouldnottrytoimpresspeoplebypreachingsomethingnewineverymessage, butwouldrepeatamessagemanytimes,untilpeopleweregrippedbythattruth.ButeverytimeIrepeateda message,Iwouldseektopresentitinafreshway,asledbytheSpirit. Ninthly,Jesusspokewithoutusingnotes.BecauseHiswalkwiththeFatherwassocloseandintimate,theSpirit gaveHimwordstospeak,evenwhileHewaspreaching.99%ofpreacherscannotspeaklikethat,becausetheydo notwalksoclosetoGod.Andsoitisbestthattheypreparetheirmessagescarefullyandusewrittennotes,ifthey wanttopreacheffectively.ThatwashowIstarted.Butnowadays,Ispeakmostofthetimewithoutusingany notes.ButwhentakingaBiblestudy,IstillusenotesandwritedowntheversessothatIdontforgetanypoint.So I'mnotaslavetoeitherusing,ornotusingnotes,sinceneitherofthesemethodsismorespiritualthantheother.If however,anyonewishestospeakeffectivelywithoutusingnotes: 1. HeshouldhavewalkedwithGodformanyyears,sothathecanspeakfromhislifesexperience. 2. HemustbelivingundertheanointingoftheHolySpiritandhavethesupernaturalgiftofprophecy. 3. HemustknowtheBiblewell,sothatheknowswhatitteachesoneverysubject. 4. Hemusthaveagoodmemorysothatheknowswheretofindtheversesonanytopic. 5. Heshouldhavegoodcommunicationskillssothathecanholdpeoplesattentionfortheentirelengthof hismessage. Ifanyonedoesnothavethesefivequalities,thenitisbetterforhimtousenoteswhenpreaching. Finally,Jesusnevershoutedwhilepreaching(Matt.12:19).NordidHesayHallelujaheverynowandtheninHis messages.IhavefollowedJesusexampleheretoo.Whenpreachersshoutintheirpreaching,itisnotthefireof theHolySpiritusually,butjusttheirsoulishattemptstomanipulatepeople;andtheirHallelujahsaremerelya habitortimefillers,whiletheyarethinkingofwhattosaynext! Inmypreaching,IhavesoughttogetpeopletoobeyGodsWordandtotakeupthecrossdailyandfollowJesus andnotjustmovethememotionallyforashorttime.Thegoalofmypreachinghasbeentopresenteveryman perfectinChrist(Col.1:28,29;1Tim.1:5).