If you have never prepared or preached a sermon, this book gives you in simple terms how to begin. If you are an experienced preacher, it may stimulate and refresh your idea of preaching, or awaken you to some deficiencies in your work. Preaching is only for those who have been called to the work and have been sent forth with the gift of preaching.
Reading and studying these notes will not make anyone a successful preacher unless he has been commissioned by the Lord. Only God can give someone the gift of preaching. But as you “earnestly desire the higher gifts” (1 Cor 12:31), it is the prayer of the author and the publishers that this book will be used by God to help readers to know their calling and to develop this gift that is so important for the spread of the gospel and the building up of the church.
Many students find Homiletics a very difficult subject. They complain that it is too hard for them to prepare sermons, and are surprised that so much is involved. Where the preacher is serious and conscientious he will be a very busy man. He will spend much time every day in his study in prayer and preparation for preaching (cf. Mark 1:35-39; Acts 6:4).
There are many opinions among experienced preachers how sermons should be prepared. This book does not claim to cover all methods. It grew out of the author’s nine years ministry in Nigeria, lecturing and discussing in the classroom, and listening to hundreds of messages in college chapel services as well as church services and conferences. If you have your own method and are convinced it is good, then continue. But if you have no method and do not know how to begin, then try the methods outlined in these notes and make every effort to do it to the very best of your ability.
The college graduate or experienced preacher will not find much that is new, as originality for the methods or statements is not claimed. The reason that they are in this form is because of the lack of suitable books in the market. Numerous headings and divisions are used throughout to make it easier for both student and teacher to study this great subject in sections as time permits. It also helps the student to understand the subject more easily and remember what he is studying. It is a solemn thing to preach the gospel.
This work cannot be undertaken by anyone who is not prepared to suffer and labour. It is a high calling and it involves much preparation and many sacrifices. May the God who commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations” use this book to help those who desire to be more effective in the great commission of proclaiming the Word of God to needy people.