The Supremacy
of God
in Preaching

John Piper

Revised Edition

© 1990, 2004 by Desiring God Foundation

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Fifth printing, December 2007

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Piper, John, 1946–

The supremacy of God in preaching / John Piper.—Rev. ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p.) and index.

ISBN 10: 0-8010-6504-6 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-8010-6504-0 (pbk.)

1. Preaching. 2. Clergy—Religious life. 3. Edwards, Jonathan, 1703–1758—Contributions in preaching. I. Title.
BV4211.3.P57 2004
251—dc22 2003018964

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked kjv is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Italics in biblical quotations indicate emphasis added.

To the people of

Bethlehem Baptist Church

who share the vision
of spreading a passion
for the supremacy of God in all things
for the joy of all peoples
through Jesus Christ

Contents

Preface to the Revised Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Part 1 Why God Should Be Supreme in Preaching

1. The Goal of Preaching: The Glory of God

2. The Ground of Preaching: The Cross of Christ

3. The Gift of Preaching: The Power of the Holy Spirit

4. The Gravity and Gladness of Preaching

Part 2 How to Make God Supreme in Preaching: Guidance from the Ministry of Jonathan Edwards

5. Keep God Central: The Life of Jonathan Edwards

6. Submit to Sweet Sovereignty: The Theology of Edwards

7. Make God Supreme: The Preaching of Edwards

Stir Up Holy Affections

Enlighten the Mind

Saturate with Scripture

Employ Analogies and Images

Use Threat and Warning

Plead for a Response

Probe the Workings of the Heart

Yield to the Holy Spirit in Prayer

Be Broken and Tenderhearted

Be Intense

Conclusion

Index

Preface
to the Revised Edition

More than ever I believe in preaching as a part of worship in the gathered church. Preaching is worship, and it belongs in the regular worship life of the church no matter the size of the church. In the small church it does not become conversation or “sharing.” In the megachurch it does not become hype and jingles. Preaching is worshiping over the Word of God—the text of Scripture—with explanation and exultation.

Preaching belongs in the corporate worship of the church not only because the New Testament commands “preach the word” (kēruxon ton logon) in the context of body life (2 Tim. 3:16–4:2), but even more fundamentally because the twofold essence of worship demands it.

This ...