Preaching - Following a formula or the Holy Spirit?

Another observation is the use of a formula in the preparation of the sermon.  It always starts off with an illustration or a joke – always. Capture your audiences attention quickly, hold them or you'll lose them. Make the sermon interesting. Use lots of illustrations.

Listen to your pastor preach and see if he is a formula man.  Sometimes the illustration is more prominent than the sermon content.  They forget that the audience needs to remember the message when they leave, not remember the illustration or the joke. Some preachers behave more like entertainers instead of ministers of the Word.  I seen props like coke bottles, eggs and magic tricks being used to entertain.

Note that the same method is used by the world for training people in public speaking. There is no difference.  The world’s method has crept into the church – no surprises.  Instead of asking what God wants me to say, they do everything using the world’s methods, which  by the way, also advocates using psychological manipulation to influence the audience.  One world famous evangelistic association uses a hymn that stirs up an emotional response during the invitation.  When the 'converts' wakes up and realises when they have done, they leave. This group has a very high drop out rates which they don't publicize.

I appreciate one lecturer from an evangelical bible college telling me that he can spot which of his students will be used by God. When he gives them a preaching assignment, some will jump onto the Internet and start preparing their sermon.   Some will stop, and ask God what He wants them to say.  This second group will be the ones used by God.

Where are the preachers who say what what God wants them to say regardless of how pleasant or unpopular the message is.  Where are those who seek to please God instead of tingling the ears of the audience.  Is the sermon a demonstration of the preacher's oratory skills or is it to pass on God's message? 

Look at Paul’s attitude in 1 Cor 2:1-4.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

Can you see if our modern methods resemble what Paul is teaching here?

There is a book worth reading 'Power through prayer' by E.M.Bounds. It explains why there is a lack of power or 'life' in today's sermons.  Many sermons are mere dot points, passing on head knowledge.