The Equipping Ministry, Student Workbook, SW15

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T H E E Q U I P P I N G M I N I S T R Y

Throughout the preaching ministry process, the Holy Spirit oversees and influences the spiritual possibilities of both preacher and hearer. He thwarts the devil as he seeks to veil and blind the minds of those who do not believe, provides and prepares the preacher to deliver the message that s/he is to preach through his supply and gifting, and anoints and inspires the preacher throughout the preaching event. The Holy Spirit convicts the audience of the truth, and confirms the spoken word with signs and wonders of its veracity. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to work and is obeyed throughout the preaching event, he produces a deep conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment before the Lord, strongly converts the lost to Christ through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and solidly incorporates the new believer into the body of Christ. Three essential steps are involved in preaching effective sermons: establishing contact with the mind and world of the audience, communicating the content of the Word of God with clarity and boldness, and making specific and dynamic connection with the audience on the meaning of the preached Word to their spiritual condition and lives. In the first step of effective biblical preaching, we establish contact with our hearers as we spotlight issues, concerns, ideas, or experiences that resonate in the lives of the audience, which can also be used as a springboard into our preaching content. The second phase of effective biblical preaching deals with delivering the content of Scripture. Our goal is to paint a picture through our words in the spiritual eyes of our hearers so as to show them our themes, not merely tell them about it. The content of our preaching ought to focus on the person of Christ and his Kingdom, and be presented in a manner that resonates with the biblical methods of images, symbols, and stories, being organized in a plain and simple manner. The Church calendar or liturgical year , along with the resources, texts, and tools associated with it can provide our audiences with a continuous retelling of the Story of God in the life and work of Jesus. Through its effective use, our preaching can thus highlight the whole counsel of God annually through a retelling of Jesus’ story.

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