Common Sense Preaching

by Dee Bowman

WHAT ACTIVITY could be more significant than strong, sound, Biblical preaching? The command to "Preach the Word" is important because "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). Paul said, "I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 1:15-16). Of course, the message is the most essential ingredient in Biblical preaching. Preaching is needed in our day because people are lost, and Christians need to grow in the knowledge of God. Men and women can be saved, and Christians can develop spiritually, only through receiving the message of Christ, which comes from God. None will be saved by sophistry or theatrics. Readers of this book will constantly be reminded of that theme. It is important, however, that we present the message as effectively as we can. We must preach with clarity, understanding our listeners, and appealing to their hearts and minds. While it is true that good hearts will receive God's truth, the facts of life teach that even the best of students achieve more with good teachers. How can we be better preachers of the gospel? We do not wish to detract from God's message by our ineffective manner of presentation. This book is intended to help us do our jobs as gospel preachers in the most powerful way each of us can.
Dee Bowman will help us to be more successful in this great work. If we will honestly and carefully apply the "common sense" suggestions in this book, alongside the Scriptural requirements for preaching, we will "storm the will" of beloved listeners and lead men to the Lamb of God who takes away sins.
- C. G. "COLLY" CALDWELL