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

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• 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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Evangelism > Preaching

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 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 (Lancaster, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Preaching & Preachers (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 (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Preaching & Preachers (Hardcover)

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 (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Preaching & Preachers (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.