Monday Morning Preacher

In this episode, co-hosts Matt Woodley and Kevin Miller reflect on what they learned about preaching, over the last four seasons of Monday Morning Preacher. Here are the top lessons they learned in the last four years: 1. Preaching the Word of God changes lives. 2. Preaching is something that we never master. 3. God uses ordinary preachers. 4. When you do sermon prep and preach – immerse yourself in the Bible scene. Matt said “God uses ordinary preachers, not just the superstars, not just the people with the big platforms, not just the people with the big venues but God uses ordinary preachers, sometimes in small towns, sometimes in small places.” Your job as a preacher is to invite people into a whole new world, the life of the Kingdom of God. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Wendell Berry’s poem “Like Snow” on Parabola.org. “Stick the Landing” on Preachingtoday.com “Called to Faithful, Not Successful Preaching” on Preachingtoday.com “How to Preach with a Biblical Imagination” on Preachingtoday.com “Preaching as a Human Exercise Centered in Christ” on Preachingtoday.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you keep Christ at the center of your preaching? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with Bryan Chapell, the Stated Clerk for the Presbyterian Church in America. In his early years of preaching, Chapel wanted to both teach and reach people. Later, he learned how to restore people, build on his ministry, inspire other preachers, and unite in a common cause.As a young pastor, Chapell’s message in sermons was “straighten up, fly right and do better.” But that message started to crush him, and he was convicted to preach the redemptive grace of Christ to his people. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Bryan Chapell’s book “Christ-Centered Preaching” 3rd Edition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you bring a fresh angle to your next Christmas sermon? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with Timothy Clarke, senior pastor at First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. Here are four people from the Biblical narrative, that you can encourage your listeners empathize with: Zachariah and Elizabeth: the loneliness of disappointment, for her barrenness Joseph: the loneliness he felt, trying to decide how to proceed with Mary, given the complex situation before them Mary: the loneliness she felt, in miraculously conceiving the infant Jesus and being ostracized for it “The incarnation says God became a human being!” Clarke said. He indicated that the incarnation alone is reason enough to be excited, and should offer plenty of material for Christmas preaching. Check out the show-notes: Thy hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” written by Charles Wesley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why does tension even matter in a sermon? How do you keep the tension? Co-hosts Matt Woodley and Kevin Miller explore these questions, considering the scriptures. Here are three ways that you can keep tension in your sermon: Highlight the tension that’s already in the Biblical text. Keep the bold Biblical statements bold. When presenting the Biblical truth, also give credit to what you can in the opposing view. Miller said, “when we lose tension in our sermon, listeners lose interest.” As a result, your listeners can disengage from the Word of God. We also cannot negate, the boldness found in scripture. Here’s an example he gave, to illustrate that boldness: “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Mt. 6:15).” Check out the show-notes: Jill Briscoe’s sermon entitled “Yet I Will Praise Thee” on our website Tim Keller’s book “Preaching: Communicating Faith in An Age of Skepticism” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you find the time you need for sermon prep? After all, time is a precious commodity. In this episode, Kevin Miller explores that question with Trevor McMaken, pastor of City Light Anglican Church in Aurora, Illinois. He said “a big thing that’s helped me in my preaching ministry is to take study days to plan a message series ahead of time, so that when I get to Monday morning and I’m looking at the message on Sunday – it’s not a completely blank page.” Here are time saving methods, to help you with sermon prep: Start a preaching team at your church Block off your mornings for sermon writing and research Work on your sermon offline (free yourself from digital distractions in the process) Go for a “big idea” prayer walk Use time management software (to block distracting social media sites) McMaken also recommends facing your internal struggles head on, without making them your entire focus. Remember, your calling is to be faithful to the Lord, and serve the congregation that He’s entrusted to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you help people maintain faith when they are suffering? In this episode, Kevin Miller explores that question with Emily H. McGowin, Assistant Professor of Theology at Wheaton College. She said, “silence in the face of suffering is not an indefensible reaction. We should be humbled into quietness, and not be quick to speak when we encounter suffering.” When McGowin’s mother-in-law died at 46 years-old, people tried to offer rational responses, which wasn’t helpful. But the people who ministered to her with their physical presence really helped her see the love of Christ, in that difficult time. “I work very hard to try to convince students that God is good, in His very essence, and that means that God is therefore, already opposed to evil – not orchestrating it for some sort of mysterious end,” she said. Miller also emphasized the importance of drawing attention to the resurrection, in response to death and suffering. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI: 1987) The Doors of the Sea: Where Was God in the Tsunami? by David Bentley Hart (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI: 2011) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you apply your sermon, based on the Biblical text? In this episode, Kevin Miller explores that question with Robert Smith, Jr., Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School where he teaches Christian Preaching. He said, “without a sermon application, there really is no sermon, because the Bible is not only written to answer the what question – that is information, but the so what question - that is application.” The Holy Spirit guides the application, and the preacher explains what the text meant when it was written, and what it means for hearers today, according to Smith. He said the application should be applied based on: The Biblical text. How the text speaks to the preacher. What the text is saying to the church. How the text applies to society at large. Smith is concerned that whites will make it a privatized matter of spiritual only, and blacks will make it a matter of the social only. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Doctrine That Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life (B&H Publishing Group, Nashville: 2008) The Glory of Preaching: Participating in God’s Transformation of the World (Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL: 2009) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is preaching? In this episode, Darrell Johnson, author of The Glory of Preaching explores that question with Matt Woodley. “I think we’re to proclaim the truth of the text, proclaim the Jesus of the text, and teach what the text is all about” Johnson said. How does the Bible talk about preaching? “There are a number of verbs used for the preaching moment including “proclaim, herald, evangelize, good news, teach, exhort and bear witness,” he said. He recommends asking yourself these questions, when preparing your sermon: Do you have the main point of the author? Are you trusting your personality or the Holy Spirit? He has been preaching for more than 50 years, and currently serves as a Teaching Fellow at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pastors aim to speak with authority, but it’s not easy in the 21st century. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, there’s “a widespread mistrust of societal institutions, and religious leaders around the world.” Be encouraged, the apostle Paul admonished Christians to preach the gospel with boldness and authority. He received his preaching authority “by revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12). But even if God has given you authority to preach the gospel, why should people listen? In this episode, Matt Woodley and Kevin Miller explore that question. When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount “he was teaching as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt. 7:29). Considering this, Kevin lays out three types of authority that preachers have: The authority of pastoral love. The authority of personal weakness. The authority of proclaiming Christ. “I have to live through a prayerful, weak dependence upon the Lord and the text” Kevin said. That’s what helps him sort through his own emotions and rely on God instead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you exegete like John Stott? In this episode, Matt Woodley and Kevin Miller explore that question. They reflect on Stott’s sermon “The Greatest Invitation Ever Made” that’s based on Matthew 11:28-30, which includes two invitations for listeners. Sometimes, preachers don’t know what to bring into the sermon and what to leave out. “We dump way too information on our people. We don’t know where to stop,” Matt said. He also indicated that pastors should read the text, observe, listen and slow down. Andy Abernathe, Associate Professor of OT Theology at Wheaton College says “read, read, read” when exegeting the text. Here are four steps you can follow: Do your exegesis. Find your big idea. Know what to leave out. Give your people a simple path. Check out what was referenced in this episode: Frederick Dale Bruner’s book Matthew: A Commentary, Volume 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you practice deliberately as a preacher? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with Jared Alcantara, associate professor of preaching at Baylor University’s George Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, Texas. Deliberate practice in preaching is a “relentless ongoing commitment to growth.” He also cites the work of K. Anders Ericsson, a Swedish psychologist who wrote “Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise.” He identifies four commitments people often make, who become experts in a given field, like preaching or playing the violin. The willingness to take risks Constructive feedback Focused attention Concrete goals This concept is more widely known from Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers where he popularized the 10,000 rule. The rule says that “it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills and materials, like playing the violin or getting as good as Bill Gates at computer programming” according to Alcantara. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Gardner C. Taylor’s article “The Preacher’s Dialogue” Anders Ericsson’s book Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you provide a clear path for people to hear God’s word? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with co-host Kevin Miller. He’s a rector at Church of the Savior in Wheaton, IL with ten years of preaching experience. Miller makes a case for the one point sermon, citing Haddon Robinson who said “a central unifying idea must be at the heart of an effective sermon” in his book “Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages.” He argues there are too many rabbit trails for listeners to go down, in a three point sermon. C.S. Lewis compared listeners to sheep going down a farm lane saying, “if you leave any gate open on either side, they will dash into that pasture and not go down the lane, where you want them to go.” Here are three reasons why one point sermons can be more effective: 1) The main point is clearer, because there’s less content for people to digest. 2) It’s easier to remember. Miller’s friend conducted a research project where she asked people, after a church service what the sermon was about. He said “What she found was that when her pastor preached a three point sermon, people remembered one point.” 3) People are more likely to take action as a result of a one point sermon. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Andy Stanley’s book Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication Dave Ferguson’s book The Big Idea: Aligning the Ministries of Your Church through Creative Collaboration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you preach in countries that persecute Christians? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with Venerable Justice Okoronkwo, Director of Missions in the Anglican diocese of Jos, Nigeria. Justice Okoronkwo “Nigeria has been in the news lately for so many things that should make Christians concerned. The global terrorism index placed Nigeria second in the world, in terms of the effects of terrorist insurgency.” He explained that the only country ahead of Nigeria is Afghanistan. Boko Haram, a jihadist terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria is responsible for approximately twenty five thousand deaths, and more than two million displaced people in Nigeria, according to Justice Okoronkwo. “We’re seeing victims who were raped by insurgents, houses of Christians being destroyed, dead bodies of children that were hacked by machetes, churches that have been burned, and worshipers killed while they were worshiping” said Justice Okoronkwo. People come to him, and want answers for why evil and violence taking place in Nigeria. He points out the dangers of pastors sounding hollow, when they respond to people who are suffering. He said “you can’t understand what’s somebody is going through, until you have sat with him, in his ash.” In light of this, He drew attention to Psalm 73:“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73:1-3, ESV).” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you preach to people who are suffering? Matthew D. Kim, author of Preaching to People in Pain believes that beauty is often buried beneath pain, and that unseen reality helps him connect with his congregation. Matt Woodley draws attention to different types of pain: emotional, mental and physical, to name a few. Kim said “I think there are some areas where we can help the listeners see that their pain is acknowledged by God. Their suffering is seen. Their suffering is not in vain. There’s a purpose to it.” In his book, he asks preachers to consider nine questions that will help them prepare sermons on pain and suffering. In this episode, Kim opens up about painful experiences in his own life, and how God used them as formative experiences, to help him uplift people who were suffering in the body of Christ. “I’ve been sharing pain whenever the text reveals that pain. I think it can help aid the preaching process,” he said. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What can preachers learn from prophets? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with Danny Carroll, Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy at Wheaton College. Carroll said “Prophetic preaching means speaking truth in the public square. But it also requires a certain kind of integrity, a knowledge of the world that we live in.” He also indicated that for prophets in the Old Testament, being prophetic often had implications for worship. He was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Carroll’s mother raised his family bi-lingual and bicultural, so they visited Guatemala every summer. Later on, he taught at a seminary in Guatemala City for thirteen years. To emulate the Old Testament prophets, pastors can emulate prophets’ behavior or preach their message. Carroll also recommends pastors begin preaching from the Old Testament. “We need the prophets as a moral compass and we lost it, and now we’re beginning to pay the social price for having silenced and ignored the prophets” he said. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Daniel Carroll’s book The Book of Amos (New International Commentary on the Old Testament. WM.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do live a life that cultivates great sermons? In this episode, Matt Woodley explores that question with Steve Norman, author of “The Preacher as Sermon: How Who You Are Shapes What They Hear.” He identifies ten roles that preachers inhabit, throughout the preaching process. Norman argues that the preacher plays a vital role in what he calls "the preaching moment." He said “For me, the preaching moment happens where four worlds converge: the paper (the text), the preacher (the voice through which that text is declared), the power of God (the author), and the people (who are the recipients).” His parents’ spiritual curiosity, as hearers of the Word really shaped him as a Christian. They came to church every week, expecting to hear from God. They also taught him to love scripture, and prayer. He has served in church ministry for 25 years, in metro Detroit and in Western Michigan. BUY THE BOOK: “The Preacher as Sermon,” website, created by Preachingtoday.com, Christianity Today, updated 2021 “The Preacher as Sermon” book, Preaching Today Books, created by Preachingtoday.com, Christianity Today, updated 2020 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the merits of a three point sermon? In this episode, Matt Woodley and Kevin Miller explore that question. Matt argues for the three point sermon, while Kevin believes the one point sermon is more expedient, to deliver the gospel message to a congregation. Matt said “It’s underrated. Don’t cast it out. I think it still works. Keep it in your repertoire.” When he references three points, in a sermon – he’s showing listeners the movement of passage in the Biblical text. It’s a simple way to organize your information – you’re breaking it up into bite sized chunks: it gave give your listeners three scenes about the text; it can have movement. For example, in journalistic writing, they talking about writing in scenes, a discreet movement of action, something that you can see. He also talks about a sermon he gave on Hebrews 10 that focused on “Christ and His atoning sacrifice.” His three points were: The need for forgiveness The price of forgiveness The offer of forgiveness Matt said “It’s not a disaster if they only remember one of the points, and they don’t remember the outline. The outline isn’t really the point. Transformational truth from the text — That’s really important. ” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you preach with a Biblical imagination? Alison Gerber, pastor at Second Congregational Church in Massachusetts explores that question with our co-host, Kevin Miller. She uses the imagination, to help the Biblical narrative come alive for her listeners. Gerber said “If we do have this purpose to see lives change. Some imagination is going to be required.” Her first phase in sermon prep is nailing down the big idea. Gerber still employs Haddon Robinson’s method of preaching: “exegeting the text, reading the text, word studies, and coming down to the core central idea.” After that, she starts writing and developing the sermon. If it’s a narrative sermon, she asks herself the question “how am I going to tell this story, or enter into it?” “Really my goal with all of this is to bring the senses into the sermon,” said Gerber. Putting your congregation into that space, of the Biblical text. Describing tactile elements help paint a picture, so that listeners can listen and see what’s happening in Biblical story – that may feel foreign to them, otherwise. Learn more about Alison on her website. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: Edwin M. Yamauchi, and Marvin R. Wilson's book A Dictionary of Daily Life in Biblical and Post-Biblical Antiquity, Hendrickson Publishers. 2014 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you preach the good news of Easter? Bishop Timothy Clarke, Senior Pastor at First Church of God in Ohio says you don’t have to make the Easter message relevant for people. It’s already relevant, because it’s in the Word of God. He drew attention to Isaiah 40:8 (ESV) “The grass withers, the flower fades and the word of the Lord stands forever.” In this episode, they discuss everything from Chicago steakhouses, to preaching failures, to how the resurrection narrative stands the test of time. Bishop Clarke offers three specific words of advice for preachers: Focus on your relationship with God. Make your family a priority. Find your voice, vocation and vision. Check out what was referenced on the podcast: H. Beecher Hicks, Jr.’s book Preaching Through a Storm: Confirming the Power of Preaching in the Tempest of Church Conflict You can also watch Bishop Clarke’s sermons on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can you preach the grace of the gospel in a fresh way? In this episode, Kevin Miller and Ethan Magness, pastor at Grace Anglican Church in Grove City, Pennsylvania explore explore how preaching on the grace of Jesus Christ, can speak to the everyday concerns of your people. He said “Our bond with God has experienced a tragic severing. What we need more than anything is reconciliation with the highest point of reality. We need to be totally made new before God, reconnected, re-established, and loved into loveliness.” Magness also stressed the importance of cultivating an expectation, and is more than just a moral harangue, or a new plan to improve yourself for God. He said “But instead the heart of the Christian enterprise of preaching is to proclaim someone else besides me, and someone else besides you.” He teaches seminarians how to do three things, in a sermon: 1. Exhume the Biblical material of a given passage clearly. 2. Show how that Biblical material points to the gospel (the redemption from sin via Christ’s death and resurrection. 3. They have to existentially connect with the “rocky horror picture show” of the hearer’s life. You can listen to Ethan Magness' sermons on Grace Anglican Church’s website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices