Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository Sermons

by Jerry Vines, Jim Shaddix, David Platt (Foreword by)

Overview

“I would not be who I am and I would not be doing what I do if it were not for God’s grace toward me through the reading and applying of this book.” —David Platt. 

It’s still used in Bible schools and seminaries today, and it shows no signs of slowing down: Power in the Pulpit is an ideal introduction to preaching.

Dr. Jerry Vines and Dr. Jim Shaddix have achieved a balanced approach to sermon preparation in Power in the Pulpit. This primer combines the perspective of a pastor of forty years with that of someone who devotes daily time to training pastors in the context of theological education. It offers practical preaching instruction from a tradition that sees biblical exposition as a paramount and frequent event in the life of the local church.

Power in the Pulpit is the combined work of Dr. Vines's two earlier publications on preaching: A Practical Guide to Sermon Preparation (Moody Publishers, 1985) and A Guide to Effective Sermon Delivery (Moody Publishers, 1986). Dr. Shaddix carefully organized and supplemented the material to offer this useful resource that closes the gap between classroom theory and what a pastor actually experiences in his weekly sermon preparation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802415578
Publisher:	Moody Publishers
Publication date:	06/06/2017
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

DR. JERRY VINES (B.A., Mercer University; Th.D., Luther Rice Seminary; PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) retired as pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida in 2006, where he served for 40 years. He served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Jerry is author of a number of books including Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository Sermons, and A Practical Guide to Sermon Preparation. He and his wife, Janet, have four adult children and five grandchildren.

JIM SHADDIX (BS, Jacksonville State University; M.Div., D.Min., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Ph.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as Professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, occupying the W. A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching. He has pastored churches in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Colorado, and also served as Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, LA. Jim is the author of The Passion Driven Sermon (Broadman & Holman, 2003) and co-author of Power in the Pulpit with Jerry Vines (Moody, 1999). Jim and his wife, Debra, focus much of their attention on discipling and mentoring young leaders and spouses. They have three grown children.

Table of Contents

Foreword 9

Preface to the Revised Edition 11

Preface to the First Edition 13

Acknowledgments 15

Introduction 17

Part 1 The Preparation for Exposition

1 Defining the Task: A Philosophy of Expository Preaching 23

2 Laying the Foundation: A Theology for Expository Preaching 59

3 Developing the Preacher: The Life of the Expositor 95

Part 2 The Process of Exposition

4 Studying the Text: The Interpretation Process 139

5 Organizing the Sermon: Unifying and Outlining 181

6 Organizing the Sermon: Amplifying, Introducing, and Concluding 215

Part 3 The Presentation of the Exposition

7 Expressing the Thoughts: The Development of Preaching Style 251

8 Playing the Voice: Proper Use of the Preaching Instrument 283

9 Making the Connection: Preaching with Heart and Head 313

10 Preaching the Word: Keys to Effective Physical Delivery 351

Conclusion 387

Notes 391

Appendices 406

Appendix 1 Observation Example 407

Appendix 2 Structural Diagram 408

Appendix 3 Sermon Summary Sheet 411

Appendix 4 Relaxation Exercises 412

Appendix 5 Breathing Exercises 414

Recommended Bibliography 417

Scripture Index 421

Subject Index 429

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

This book is an encyclopedia of practical and useful material for the serious preacher, but it reads like a fireside chat.  Whether you're in your first church or a seasoned preacher, you'll find both information and inspiration in its pages, the biblical "how" and "why" of effective pulpit ministry.  You'll enjoy reading the book and I predict you'll refer to it often.
-Warren W. Wiersbe, Distinguished Professor of Preaching, Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary

The criticisms I hear about expository preaching are in reality criticisms about "boring preaching."  The greatest preaching in the earth is still captivating, prophetic, invigorating, Christ-honoring exposition.  Vines and Shaddix tell you how to do that in a way that will win the lost and revive the saints.  If you preach, do not miss this book.
-Paige Patterson, Former President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina