Words That Carry the Word
A preacher can understand his text, organize it faithfully, and still lose his people in the words. The thought is right, but it never arrives. Power in the Pulpit opens its part on presentation with a chapter called “Expressing the Thoughts,” on preaching style: how the preacher puts what he has learned into words his hearers can receive. Vines and Shaddix urge careful word choice, language that is clear and vivid rather than dull.
This series sets aside the stagecraft that fills many delivery manuals, from gestures to vocal exercises. The concern here is narrower and more important: do the preacher's words make the text plain? A sermon that is clearly understood can be mightily used of God even when it is simply delivered. A sermon that is not understood helps no one, however well it is performed.
“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.”1 CORINTHIANS 14:8–9 · KJV
Paul wrote these words about speaking in the assembly in a tongue no one understood, and the principle behind them reaches every word spoken in church: speech that is not understood does not edify. Let all things be done unto edifying (1 Corinthians 14:26). Paul said he would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words no one could follow (1 Corinthians 14:19). His word for easy to be understood, eusēmos, means clear and well-marked, like a signal no one can mistake.
Language shaped for listeners rather than readers: plain words, short sentences, concrete images, clear signposts, and purposeful repetition, so that the meaning can be grasped the first time it is heard.
Expressing the thoughts is not about sounding impressive. A preacher who explains the text accurately in words his people cannot follow has not yet finished his work. Clarity is part of faithfulness to the text.
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For Deeper Study
- Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository SermonsAmazon Jerry Vines and Jim ShaddixThe guide this series follows; its chapter on expressing the thoughts treats preaching style and word choice.
- A Guide to Effective Sermon DeliveryAmazon Jerry VinesVines's earlier book on delivery, later combined with his preparation guide to form Power in the Pulpit.
- Biblical PreachingAmazon Haddon W. RobinsonIts chapter on style argues for clear, direct, and vivid language shaped for listeners; Robinson was a broadly evangelical teacher of preaching.
- On the Preparation and Delivery of SermonsAmazon John A. BroadusThe Southern Baptist classic, with chapters on style and on the methods of delivery.
- Lectures to My StudentsAmazon Charles H. SpurgeonPractical, often humorous counsel on speaking plainly to ordinary people; Spurgeon was a Calvinistic (Particular) Baptist.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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Building the Sermon
A finished sermon frames its body with an introduction that leads into the text, transitions that carry the hearer, a conclusion that drives the main idea home, an honest title, and a public invitation that calls every hearer to respond to Christ.
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