PREACHING

Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism

TIMOTHY KELLER

VIKING

VIKING

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All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV), unless otherwise noted.

ISBN: 978-0-525-95303-6

To the members of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church (1975–1984) who called me “Preacher” even as I was stumbling to learn how to be one

Contents

Introduction: Three Levels of the Ministry of the Word

Prologue: What Is Good Preaching?

Part One

SERVING THE WORD

one

Preaching the Word

two

Preaching the Gospel Every Time

three

Preaching Christ from All of Scripture

Part Two

REACHING THE PEOPLE

four

Preaching Christ to the Culture

five

Preaching and the (Late) Modern Mind

six

Preaching Christ to the Heart

Part Three

IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER

seven

Preaching and the Spirit

Acknowledgments

Appendix: Writing an Expository Message

Introduction: Three Levels of the Ministry of the Word

Australian theologian Peter Adam argues that what we call preaching, the formal public address to the gathered congregation on a Sunday, is only one form of what the Bible describes as the “ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:2, 6:4).1

On the day of Pentecost Peter cited the words of the prophet Joel, who said that God would pour out his Spirit on all his people, and as a result “your sons and daughters will prophesy” (Acts 2:17). Gerhard Friedrich, in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, says that there are at least thirty-three Greek words in the New Testament usually translated as “preaching” or “proclaiming.” Adam observes that these words describe activities that could not all be public speaking.2 For example, Acts 8:4 says that all the Christians except the apostles went from place to place “proclaiming the Messiah.” This cannot mean that every believer was standing up and preaching sermons to audiences. Priscilla and Aquila, for example, explained the Word of Christ to Apollos in their home (Acts 18:26).

We can discern at least three levels of “Word ministry” in the Bible. Paul calls all believers to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly” and to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). Every Christian should be able to give both teaching (didaskalia, the ordinary word for instruction) and admonition (noutheo—a common word for strong, life-changing counsel) that convey to others the teachings of the Bible. This must be done carefully, though informally, ...

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About Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism

Most Christians—including pastors—struggle to talk about their faith in a way that applies the power of the Christian gospel to change people’s lives. Timothy Keller is known for his insightful, down-to-earth sermons and talks that help people understand themselves, encounter Jesus, and apply the Bible to their lives. In this accessible guide for pastors and laypeople alike, Keller helps readers learn to present the Christian message of grace in a more engaging, passionate, and compassionate way.

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