Preaching & Preachers [Hardcover]

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 1972

'Some may object to my dogmatic assertions; but I do not apologize for them. Every preacher should believe strongly in his own method; and if I cannot persuade all of the rightness of mine, I can at least stimulate them to think and to consider other possibilities. I can say quite honestly that I would not cross the road to listen to myself preaching, and the preachers whom I have enjoyed most have been very different indeed in their method and style. But my business is not to describe them but to state what I believe to be right, however imperfectly I have put my own precepts into practice. I can only hope that the result will be of some help, and especially to young preachers called to this greatest of all tasks, and especially in these sad and evil times. With many others I pray that 'The Lord of the harvest may thrust forth' many mighty preachers to proclaim 'the unsearchable riches of Christ!''

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Some may object to my dogmatic assertions; but I do not apologize for them. Every preacher should believe strongly in his own method; and if I cannot persuade all of the rightness of mine, I can at least stimulate them to think and to consider other possibilities. I can say quite honestly that I would not cross the road to listen to myself preaching, and the preachers whom I have enjoyed most have been very different indeed in their method and style. But my business is not to describe them but to state what I believe to be right, however imperfectly I have put my own precepts into practice. I can only hope that the result will be of some help, and especially to young preachers called to this greatest of all tasks, and especially in these sad and evil times. With many others I pray that 'The Lord of the harvest may thrust forth' many mighty preachers to proclaim 'the unsearchable riches of Christ!'"

About the Author

Born in South Wales, Dr Lloyd-Jones was a practicing physician until leaving medicine to become the minister of a Welsh Presbyterian Church. He is author of numerous books and printed lectures.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 325 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 3, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310278708
• ISBN-13: 978-0310278702
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), minister of Westminster Chapel in London for thirty years, was one of the foremost preachers of his day. His books include Spiritual Depression, Joy Unspeakable, The Cross, The Heart of the Gospel, and his series on John 17.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for Evangelical Preachers November 29, 1999

By Michael A. Rogers

Format:Hardcover

I have been a pastor of a Presbyterian churches for 25 years and weekly preaching is my life's work. Others may tell you more about the 'how' of constructing a sermon from a Bible text. However, no one will tell you more about what the task of preaching really is than Lloyd-Jones, the finest English language preacher of the 20th century, without a doubt. Yes, he is 'old school'; but it is his kind of preaching that brings the power of the gospel to bear on people to truly change them -- not all the dramatic sideshow tricks of today's 'entertainment' churches. When we hear preaching again from hundreds of pulpits like that of Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the church will leap forward by the grace of God, into a new reformation! I tell younger pastors to read this once a year, until it becomes part of them.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate Plea for the Primacy of Powerful Preaching July 18, 2000

By Brian G Hedges

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Doctor at his best! This is a warm and encouraging book for preachers. Dr. Lloyd-Jones delivered these lectures at Westminister Seminary in the sixties (I think), but they are still relelvant today for the preacher that is serious about his calling. Lloyd-Jones defends the primacy of preaching, showing that there is not any substitute for it. He delves into the preparation, shape, and form of the sermon and hits on such issues as humor, invitations, and the congregation. Best of all is the last chapter on "Demonstration of the Spirit and of the Power" which deals with the sacred anointing of the Holy Spirit in preaching. I am a preacher and if I could have only one book on preaching, this would probably be the one!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book on Expository Preaching May 9, 2009

By John A. Bird

Format:Hardcover

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones believed in expository sermons with substance. While the pastor of Westminster Chapel, London, he preached through entire books of the Bible, often delivering more than one sermon per verse. (His sermons from 1 John fill five volumes!) He believed that "the primary task of the Church and of the Christian minister is the preaching of the Word of God."

In Preaching and Preachers, the Doctor urges preachers to take their calling seriously. "The most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching." With that in mind, he shares what he learned through his many years of pastoring and preaching. Chapters (there are 16 of them) deal with the character of the preacher, congregations, the preparation of the sermon (and the preacher), the shape and form of sermons, illustrations and humor, and the act of preaching itself. I particularly benefitted from a chapter titled, "What to Avoid."

Sometimes I'll enjoy a book enough to read it twice. This is one of the few that I've read three times--I've certainly benefitted from it more than any other book on the subject of preaching. The author's style is straightforward and enjoyable to read. He is dogmatic at times, and in a few places it is evident that these lectures were delivered several decades ago. (He lists the tape-recording of sermons as a "peculiar and special abomination" of the time.) However, the practical advice he gives will never be outdated.

This is the book on Biblical, theological, expository preaching. Preachers would benefit from reading it, but their congregations would benefit even more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Pastor Should Have A Copy! February 6, 2009

By Shayne Riley

Format:Hardcover

As a Pastor, I'm always looking for something to read. Actually, I came across this book doing what you're doing right now...surfing around on AMAZON! When I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Lloyd-Jones teaches Pastors how to be better prepared to prepare the people. He discusses such matters as sermon preparation, what to avoid while preaching, not letting the pew control the pulpit, how to deepen your study time, and much, MUCH more! Lloyd-Jones is much like Paul writing to young Timothy's everywhere.
Before I read this book I knew little of Lloyd-Jones. Now I want to read as much as I can from him! Very much recommended!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Excellent Book! July 3, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This book is a must read for discouraged preachers of the persuasion that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Lloyd-Jones had the ability to remove you from the valley of shadow of discouragement and lift to the top of Mount Hermon with all its precious dew.

I am reading it for the second time and am convinced that a semi-annual reading is essential to keep focus on "the work of preaching (which) is the hightest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called" (p. 9).

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Thoughtful and challenging book for those willing to work through it. July 15, 2007

By emmauseagle

Format:Hardcover

The greatest strength of this book is that it addresses such a wide range of topics relating to the preacher and sermon/message. The book is not an instruction book with lots of steps. It could be described as a "character" book. It discusses the character of the preacher, the congregation, the sermon, and "accessories". Most other books will dedicate themselves to just one of these topics, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones deals with all of them. In some ways, he weaves these four areas together like four separate threads, but he does so without losing the distinction each has.

A secondary strength of this book is that the author encourages his readers to allow for freedom for the Holy Spirit to take over. At times, he tells his readers to avoid doing something but then he shows how he did the exact opposite on an occasion or two. He emphasizes that his advice should not be taken as an unbending rule because the preacher doesn't know when God is going to take over.

The primary weakness of this book is that the required reading level is higher than most people read at today. Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses a much bigger vocabulary than most people possess today. Also the book is based on spoken lectures which does not come across the same when read. The book is also longer (325 pages) than most modern people read.

I would not recommend this book to those that don't bother reading "meaty" books. They would waste their money on a book that will only sit on their shelf. This book needs to be read by those that want or need to be challenged literarily and prepositionally. Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes many statements that come across as reactionary and I believe that these statements would challenge the thinking of so many people that get caught up in the latest fashion.