PREACHING AND PREACHERS BY D.

MARTYN LLOYD-JONES

Book Report
Leo Rene’ Minnaar
November 2011

This book is a simple, yet well written and presented with a lot of thought provoking

issues being highlighted. It may be considered controversial by some, but I believe,

applauded by most God fearing preachers. It gives numerous practical examples to

support his views. He makes no apology for his stance on issues that may be

controversial for some.

I. The need for this book by Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

A. The need for preaching and preachers

B. Preaching overview
C. Preparation principals
D. Delivery expectations
E. True power in Preaching

II. What can be gleaned from this book?

A. Attitude to preaching
B. Attitude to preparation
C. Attitude to pulpiteering

Conclusion statement:

Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has written a book from the perspective of a preacher. He

answers the questions about the need of true preaching. He looks at the preacher;

questions his motives, and reminds the preacher who his audience is. But most

importantly of all, he wants the preacher to know that he is God’s man, with God’s

message, to be delivered to a lost and dying world. So he advocates preachers to

preach with passion and with God’s power!

 Minnaar 2

This type of book by Dr D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is very needful in our modern society

today. That we are in a modern society, we cannot deny. That people are entertainment

driven, we cannot deny. That people expect the preacher to be slick and polished and

entertaining is the expectation of many today, this is what they are used too. Dr Martyn

Lloyd-Jones so aptly brings out that preachers are needed more so today, than ever

before. He makes very pertinent statements, yet, He makes no apology for his stance

on issues that may be considered controversial by some.

Martyn Lloyd- Jones, has brought out a very interesting topic, this not only has to

do with the “art” of preaching, but he takes the holistic look at the preacher, as ,

according to him, it is that they do go hand in hand. That one cannot divorce the one

from the other. His outline touches the primacy of preaching, the relationship between

the sermon and preaching, the preacher, the congregation. He includes the character of

the sermon, its form and he touches on the matter of illustrations, eloquence, humor

and things to avoid. He mentions the issue of invitation, he shares the pros and the

cons and he looks at the personal aspect, as he calls it the “romance and pitfalls”, and

he lastly concludes with the demonstration of the Spirit and power which underpins the

whole aspect of the act of preaching.

His presentation is based upon, and sticks strictly to the issues of preaching and

preachers, he does not allow himself to get sidetracked over pastoral issues nor does

he allow for any distractions in regards to the activities of the preacher. In fact it can be

said that he is very rigid in his stance in this regard. I must admit that I agree with him

fully, especially as I am reminded in the Scriptures what the Apostles said about a

similar issue,” Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said,
 Minnaar 3

It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” Act 6:2 This is

his view about the call to preach “..That to me the work of preaching is the highest and

greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can be ever called.” It is his

view that the very issue of people and churches, who question the need for preaching,

is indicative for the necessity of it. That the church considers these kinds of questions

and thoughts are literally anathema to him. To Him, this is all the more reason to

undertake this topic as he had. There is a need for and we should demand, true

preachers in our midst.

It is his contention when looking at an overview of preaching, that it must be

based on doctrine, that its form is to be doctrinally correct in all its aspects, that proper

exposition, will always lead to preaching the gospel and as he says ”…. and not preach

about the Gospel. …. The Business of the preacher is not to present the Gospel

academically. We are to involve with it; we are not to look at it as another subject, and

to say things about it; it itself is being directly presented and conveyed to the

congregation through us.”

Dr D Martyn Lloyd-Jones then considers the preparation principles; he contends

that, although a man may be a great theologian, good at giving advice, if he cannot

speak well, according to him, he cannot be a preacher. He then lists certain criteria, for

example, general knowledge and life experiences. He speaks of a “training of the mind”,

it is not the form of training, but rather that the mind has been trained, that it can apply

itself to the “task of a preacher”. That the mind is specially trained in the “whole counsel

of God”, he includes some knowledge of original languages, his point is that the
 Minnaar 4

preacher should look to being biblically accurate, and simple enough to be understood

by all.

When one considers the delivery expectation, the example that had been set by

Finney and others, it is that, the preacher should demand a decision, he contends that

this is wrong. His point is that many people come out of guilt, pressure and possibly the

charisma of the preacher. It is his contention that we should allow the Holy Spirit to

move. If the preacher is aware that he is to make an alter call, he is to say that he is

available to speak with people after the services. I want to add though, that I believe

that Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones has taken this stance, and he makes a strong stance

against this “appeal” for an altar call, because he is a Calvinist. (This goes against his

theology), however, he does bring out the fact that it should be done, only upon the

prompting of the Holy Spirit (I have to give him credit right there.)

The last issue he deals with is the issue of preaching with power. He states that it

is God who uses his Word, with the power and unction of the Holy Spirit, through the

preacher. The preacher is aware of God’s power, the congregation is also aware of

God’s power, and lives are changed forever. “You can have knowledge, and you can be

meticulous in your preparation; but without the unction of the Holy Spirit you will have no

power, and your preaching will not be effective….How does one know it? It gives clarity

of thought, clarity of speech, ease of utterance, a great sense of authority and

confidence as you are preaching, an awareness of a power not being your own thrilling

through your whole being, and an indescribable joy. You are a man “possessed”, you

are taken hold of, and taken up…. What then are we to say about this? There is

obviously only one conclusion. Seek Him! Seek Him! What can we do without Him?
 Minnaar 5

Seek Him Seek Him always. But go beyond seeking Him; expect Him. Do you expect

anything to happen when you get up to preach in a pulpit? Are you expecting it to be a

turning point in someone’s life? Are you expecting to have a climatic experience? This is

what preaching is meant to do.”

What can be gleaned from this book? I have come to several conclusions,

namely: That my attitude to preaching has changed. I have realized that preaching is to

take president in the act of worship. That testimony time, the singing of soloists, choir

time etc, although seem positive and uplifting are really just forms of entertainment.

That it is preaching that is good for the soul and nothing less. Anything that takes

preaching time away is not beneficial for the congregation.

My attitude to preparation has changed, I used to spend roughly thirteen hours

on sermon preparation, I now spend thirty hours. You cannot over prepare. Read

Scriptures, study further, increase your knowledge. In other words a preacher is to be

well read. Your education doesn’t stop when you receive a degree, but it is on going.

I have also changed my attitude towards pulpiteering. God did not call stage men

or actors or professional, eloquent, charismatic individuals but rather men who follow

after God’s own heart. That this idea of psychological gimmicks and stage props and

antics are not God’s calling but rather are “tricks” to win people over. It is better to

preach the truth of the Gospel and allow God to do his work among the people, your

tasks is not to be clever but obedient in preaching the whole counsel of God’s Word.