Preachers and Preaching - Martin Loyd Jones
Preachers and Preaching - Martin Loyd Jones
Preachers and Preaching - Martin Loyd Jones
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES
Book Report
Leo Rene’ Minnaar
November 2011
This book is a simple, yet well written and presented with a lot of thought provoking
support his views. He makes no apology for his stance on issues that may be
A. Attitude to preaching
B. Attitude to preparation
C. Attitude to pulpiteering
Conclusion statement:
answers the questions about the need of true preaching. He looks at the preacher;
questions his motives, and reminds the preacher who his audience is. But most
importantly of all, he wants the preacher to know that he is God’s man, with God’s
This type of book by Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is very needful in our modern society
today. That we are in a modern society, we cannot deny. That people are entertainment
driven, we cannot deny. That people expect the preacher to be slick and polished and
entertaining is the expectation of many today, this is what they are used too. Dr Martyn
Lloyd-Jones so aptly brings out that preachers are needed more so today, than ever
before. He makes very pertinent statements, yet, He makes no apology for his stance
Martyn Lloyd- Jones, has brought out a very interesting topic, this not only has to
do with the “art” of preaching, but he takes the holistic look at the preacher, as ,
according to him, it is that they do go hand in hand. That one cannot divorce the one
from the other. His outline touches the primacy of preaching, the relationship between
the sermon and preaching, the preacher, the congregation. He includes the character of
the sermon, its form and he touches on the matter of illustrations, eloquence, humor
and things to avoid. He mentions the issue of invitation, he shares the pros and the
cons and he looks at the personal aspect, as he calls it the “romance and pitfalls”, and
he lastly concludes with the demonstration of the Spirit and power which underpins the
His presentation is based upon, and sticks strictly to the issues of preaching and
preachers, he does not allow himself to get sidetracked over pastoral issues nor does
he allow for any distractions in regards to the activities of the preacher. In fact it can be
said that he is very rigid in his stance in this regard. I must admit that I agree with him
fully, especially as I am reminded in the Scriptures what the Apostles said about a
similar issue,” Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said,
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It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” Act 6:2 This is
his view about the call to preach “..That to me the work of preaching is the highest and
greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can be ever called.” It is his
view that the very issue of people and churches, who question the need for preaching,
is indicative for the necessity of it. That the church considers these kinds of questions
and thoughts are literally anathema to him. To Him, this is all the more reason to
undertake this topic as he had. There is a need for and we should demand, true
based on doctrine, that its form is to be doctrinally correct in all its aspects, that proper
exposition, will always lead to preaching the gospel and as he says ”…. and not preach
about the Gospel. …. The Business of the preacher is not to present the Gospel
academically. We are to involve with it; we are not to look at it as another subject, and
to say things about it; it itself is being directly presented and conveyed to the
that, although a man may be a great theologian, good at giving advice, if he cannot
speak well, according to him, he cannot be a preacher. He then lists certain criteria, for
example, general knowledge and life experiences. He speaks of a “training of the mind”,
it is not the form of training, but rather that the mind has been trained, that it can apply
itself to the “task of a preacher”. That the mind is specially trained in the “whole counsel
of God”, he includes some knowledge of original languages, his point is that the
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preacher should look to being biblically accurate, and simple enough to be understood
by all.
When one considers the delivery expectation, the example that had been set by
Finney and others, it is that, the preacher should demand a decision, he contends that
this is wrong. His point is that many people come out of guilt, pressure and possibly the
charisma of the preacher. It is his contention that we should allow the Holy Spirit to
move. If the preacher is aware that he is to make an alter call, he is to say that he is
available to speak with people after the services. I want to add though, that I believe
that Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones has taken this stance, and he makes a strong stance
against this “appeal” for an altar call, because he is a Calvinist. (This goes against his
theology), however, he does bring out the fact that it should be done, only upon the
prompting of the Holy Spirit (I have to give him credit right there.)
The last issue he deals with is the issue of preaching with power. He states that it
is God who uses his Word, with the power and unction of the Holy Spirit, through the
preacher. The preacher is aware of God’s power, the congregation is also aware of
God’s power, and lives are changed forever. “You can have knowledge, and you can be
meticulous in your preparation; but without the unction of the Holy Spirit you will have no
power, and your preaching will not be effective….How does one know it? It gives clarity
confidence as you are preaching, an awareness of a power not being your own thrilling
through your whole being, and an indescribable joy. You are a man “possessed”, you
are taken hold of, and taken up…. What then are we to say about this? There is
obviously only one conclusion. Seek Him! Seek Him! What can we do without Him?
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Seek Him Seek Him always. But go beyond seeking Him; expect Him. Do you expect
anything to happen when you get up to preach in a pulpit? Are you expecting it to be a
turning point in someone’s life? Are you expecting to have a climatic experience? This is
What can be gleaned from this book? I have come to several conclusions,
namely: That my attitude to preaching has changed. I have realized that preaching is to
take president in the act of worship. That testimony time, the singing of soloists, choir
time etc, although seem positive and uplifting are really just forms of entertainment.
That it is preaching that is good for the soul and nothing less. Anything that takes
on sermon preparation, I now spend thirty hours. You cannot over prepare. Read
well read. Your education doesn’t stop when you receive a degree, but it is on going.
I have also changed my attitude towards pulpiteering. God did not call stage men
or actors or professional, eloquent, charismatic individuals but rather men who follow
after God’s own heart. That this idea of psychological gimmicks and stage props and
antics are not God’s calling but rather are “tricks” to win people over. It is better to
preach the truth of the Gospel and allow God to do his work among the people, your
tasks is not to be clever but obedient in preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word.