Preachit!

In this episode Alan talks about the importance of preaching hope. Hope is important to preaching because hope is transformative (1 John 3:3). Furthermore, according to Romans 5:5 “hope does not disappoint us.” But what is this hope that doesn’t disappoint? Romans 5:2 says that our hope is the “glory of God.” Hence, if we are to understand hope, we need to understand the glory of God. Preachit! S01E31 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode, Jason DeRouchie talks about how helping others see and delight in Jesus is the desire of every preacher. As we see Christ and delight in him we are increasingly transformed into his image. So how do we preach from the Old Testament to make Christ visible so that transformation happens? In this episode, Jason DeRouchie elaborates on seven ways to “behold Christ” in the Old Testament.   through the Old Testament’s salvation historical trajectories   through the Old Testament’s direct messianic prophecies   through the similarities and contrasts of the old and new ages, creations, and covenants   through Old Testament typology   through Yahweh’s identity and activity through the ethical ideals of Old Testament law and wisdom by using the Old Testament to instruct others in light of what Christ has done. Preachit! S01E30 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode Carmen Imes helps us unravel many of the Christian caricatures of the law. Points of discussion include: · The role and purpose of the law, and why starting with Paul can distort our understanding of the law. · The importance of Israel’s mission/vocation to understanding the role of the law. · How the law helps Israel fulfill their vocation. · How the law was to bring Israel freedom, flourishing, and life. · The essence of the law: protecting the vulnerable. · Israel’s problem and how they followed the same pattern as Adam and Eve. · The prophets as “covenant watchdogs.” · Using the law as a “launching pad” to demonstrate what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. · The law written on our hearts and the new covenant. · Paul’s understanding of the law. · The universal relevance of the law for the Christian. · Why some laws are not relevant today. · The role and relevance of the law for preaching today. · Helpful resources for understanding the law. Preachit! S01E29 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode I talk to Megan Powell du Toit about the role of the arts in preaching. We talk about how Megan’s love for the arts has made its way into her preaching. At the heart of the discussion is the idea that good preaching is much more than merely the transfer of information, because the sermon is targeting a lot more than just the mind. Along the way we talk about preaching as performance, the importance of communicating in way that reaches the whole person, the difference between preaching and teaching, engaging the emotions in preaching, the importance of reflection, how to preach the sublime and transcendent, PowerPoint, seeing preaching as turning “ink” into “blood,” preaching that connects to life, sermon length—is it worth discussing?, the Bible as a neglected resource on ways to communicate, how to preach in a way so that people feel the truth of what is being preached, the advantages of the arts in preaching, using movies, books, stories, music, song, poetry, visual art, our body, gestures, clothing, and the challenge of using the arts to preach the sublime and transcendent without it becoming cheesy. Preachit! S01E28 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In some circles topical preaching is often thought to be inferior to what is often referred to as expository preaching. But is this caricature justified? Not according to Sam Chan and Malcolm Gill. In this episode we discuss their book, “Topical Preaching in a Complex World: How to Proclaim Truth and Relevance at the Same Time” (Zondervan, 2021) and especially what topical preaching is and how it differs from expository preaching. We also talk about the process of preparing a topical sermon and the various factors that one needs to consider. Also, where does a Christ-centred approach to preaching fit within topical preaching? We discuss how the same topic can be preached from different angles depending on the audience, why ‘significance’ is more helpful than ‘meaning’ in preaching, and how to preach 'sensitive' topics that people will inevitably be divided on? Preachit! S01E27 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode we talk about why being relational is central to being a culturally intelligent preacher. Within this frame, we discuss why being right doctrinally without being relational is a problem for preaching, the real enemy in culture, the role of theological categories and how to communicate them, bridge building, the manner and tone of the preacher, talk show host and comedian Stephen Colbert, the importance of listening to culture, how finding a conversation partner who is not very theologically trained (even a kid) can help our preaching, the job of an expositor, the problem of preaching definitions and cliches, why preachers need to learn to “switch hit”, when preachers make the Bible say too much versus making it say too little, being woke, the harsh tone of some of the Scriptures, and more. Preachit! S01E26 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode I talk with Eugene Peterson’s protégé, Peter Santucci, on Preaching the Psalms. We discuss: · What should we do with those “awkward and unsavoury” parts of the Psalms? · Things to look out for that help us open up the heart and soul of a Psalm. · Why Peter has only three categories for the Psalms and what characterises them. · Why the Psalms are an ideal part of Scripture for us to improvise. · How the Psalms, even the ones we don’t like, help us to pray our emotions. · How the Psalms can be therapeutic. · Why exegetical analysis can do more harm than good in discovering the meaning of the Psalms. · Why it’s sometimes better to sit with a Psalm rather than go to a commentary. · What the “uncomfortable” parts of the Psalms can teach us. · How to preach poetry. · Why are metaphors “true lies.” · Should the Psalms play more of a role in contemporary worship and prayer? · How the Psalms can speak into Christians living in the midst of uncertainty regarding their faith and God. · Who shaped Peter’s understanding of the Psalms, besides Eugene Peterson? · How do we avoid falling into the trap of reading our own emotions into the Psalms? Check out Peter's website here: http://www.petesantucci.com/ Preachit! S01E25 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this latest episode I talk with Stephen McAlpine about his Australian award-winning book, “Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World that Says You Can’t”, and how to preach to a post-Christian Christian audience. Here are just some topics we tackle: “Thin” preaching vs. preaching that has “depth,” and how they relate to life and human flourishing. Why should we preach the gospel to Christians? And what is gospel preaching? Why and how does the gospel transform us? The inadequacy of counterfeit gospels such as the self-help gospel and moralistic preaching, and why they can’t deal with some of life’s big problems. Why preachers should prepare people for the week ‘they’ will be having and not the week ‘the preacher’ will be having. Authenticity: what is it and why the current way of defining it is inadequate. The role of self-denial in gospel preaching. The problems with the current culture’s view of authenticity. The church needs to start preparing for a tsunami of broken and wounded people. Are we ready? To what extent should we be preaching on ‘sensitive issues’ from the pulpit? You can check out Stephen's book here: https://www.thegoodbook.com.au/being-the-bad-guys Preachit! S01E24 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode we discuss the following questions and topics: What do New Testament passages mean that say that that the Old Testament “concerned” Jesus or “testified” about him? When Jesus opened the disciples’ minds to understand the Old Testament Scriptures, what did they understand that they didn’t understand before? What is the relationship between the human author’s intention and the divine author’s intention in the Old Testament and how should this make a difference to our preaching? What are some good questions to ask of an Old Testament text when preparing a sermon? The difference between “untethered” and “tethered” Christ-centred readings of the Old Testament and how to avoid ‘fanciful’ interpretations. Some helpful examples of Christ-centred readings from the positive and negative aspects of the life of David, including examples of personal application. Should we be finding Jesus “under every rock in the Old Testament”? In what sense does Israel point to Christ, and why Jesus is not just the fulfilment of Messianic expectations? Sonship in the Old Testament as a trajectory to Christ. What are some of the key aspects of Israel’s story that are fulfilled in or point to Christ (e.g., land, exile, blessings, curses, God’s wrath)? How our stories are bound up with Christ and its relevance for application. Preachit! S01E23 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

Part 2 of How to Preach Texts in Light of the Grand Story of the Bible with Rueben Munn. In this episode we continue from where we left off in part 1 and look at examples from the New Testament to illustrate how to preach individual passages in light of the biblical storyline. Preachit! S01E22 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

This is the first episode of two with Reuben Munn on How to Preach Texts in Light of the Grand Story of the Bible. Reuben is a pastor and also lectures in preaching, and on top of that he’s a terrific preacher. And a kiwi! In this episode we talk about the importance of the storyline of Scripture to preaching, how to preach passages in light of the storyline—along with examples—and the various ways one might do that. Preachit! S01E21 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In part 2 of this podcast, we talk about how to preach to people who get anxious when they hear anyone preach on the relationship between salvation, faith, and works, and how to preach to people who don’t think that “works” matter? This is followed by a discussion on the role of grace and the gospel in preaching? Tom then addresses listener questions: How do we protect ourselves from falling into works-based preaching, but also how do we protect ourselves from preaching the passive Christian life—how do we get the balance right? Which is a greater danger in today’s church, legalism, or antinomianism? Should people walk away from every sermon feeling like they’ve heard good news? Is there space for walking away from a sermon feeling convicted, even lamenting about sin and failure to work out faith with fear and trembling, or would this lead to shame and legalism? Why didn’t Jesus preach the good news of the kingdom to the rich young ruler, he seemed to preach works? Given that the kingdom of God was seen as such good news to people in the New Testament, why isn’t the church known for preaching good news today? How does one preach on the relationship between faith, salvation, and works without wearing people down with a list of ‘should’s’ or resorting to a theological system? Have you met any theologians or pastors who have understood and nailed this topic? What would your advice be for pastors in the trenches to help them get a handle on this topic? Preachit! S01E20 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

This episode addresses the following:   The issue that is so contentious between faith, works and salvation. Tom’s understanding of this relationship.   Biblical scholarship’s understanding of this relationship.   Dissenting voices within the church.   The main challenges that preachers are faced with when preaching on this subject.   Issues the preacher needs to be clear on.   The importance of communicating what “works” consist of.  The significance of quantity of works versus quality of works.   The nature of assurance. Preachit! S01E19 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode Alan concludes his conversation with Mandy Smith on the subject of The Preacher as a Midwife.  Preachit! S01E18 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this first of a two part episode I talk with Mandy Smith on the subject of The Preacher as a Midwife. The midwife is a biblical metaphor related to pain, suffering and the birth of new life. We discuss the relationship and distinction between pain and suffering, the image of a midwife and how it applies to preaching, and the importance of the preacher’s own suffering. Preachit! S01E17 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

This is the third and final episode with Murray Capill on how to preach application. In this episode we discuss several listener questions: · How can we preach application when we are struggling to apply some parts of Scripture ourselves? · How do we preach to people who are all at different stages of spiritual growth? · Is it better to leave application to the end or can we revisit it throughout the sermon? · What are the advantages and dangers of knowing the people that we are preaching to? · Is the goal of application to change behaviour or to change the affections? Should the goal of the sermon be to lead people to worship or to tell people what to do? · Was Jesus someone who preached practical application? How specific should practical application be when we can’t even know everyone’s situation? What is the Spirit’s role in the individual’s life in applying the text to people? · Is the lack of preaching to the heart, a reason why sermons can tend to be so boring? · How much should time be given toward application without comprising on biblical exegesis and teaching? How can I become more concerned about the people I preach than about how good my sermon is? Preachit! S01E16 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio

In this episode I continue talking with Murray Capill on how to target the heart in preaching. Essentially, the question being addressed in this episode is how does one preach in a way that people might encounter God? Murray answers this question by taking us through some steps before illustrating from the Bible what these steps look like in practice. We also think about how a sermon might miss the target—in other words, how might we “mess it up when it comes to application”? Preachit! S01E15 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio keywords: alan stanley preach preachit christ centred

Do you want to know how to preach in a way that changes lives? If so, this three-part episode with Murray Capill on how to preach application is required listening. Drawing from his book, The Heart is the Target: Preaching Practical Application from Every Text, we discuss the kind of sermon applications that change lives. This first episode addresses the subject of the heart: what is it, and what about it makes it a target for preaching? Along the way we talk about the heart or goal of preaching—what is the sermon trying to achieve; why applications that simply tell people what to do are ineffective; and why sermons that inform people about the truth of the biblical text are ineffective? Preachit! S01E14 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio keywords: alan stanley preach preachit christ centred

In this episode I talk with Andrew Reid, someone who has a lot of experience in pastoring, church planting, teaching, preaching, and training preachers. Our topic is how to prepare a preaching calendar. Questions covered include: What is a preaching calendar? What are the advantages of a preaching calendar? Does a preaching calendar oppose the Spirit’s leading? Is there room for flexibility? What length of time should a preaching calendar cover?  Where does one begin? What should govern what we preach on? What about current events and unexpected happenings in the community and world? What are the various kinds of preaching series? How important is it to allow the seasons in the Christian calendar to govern what we preach on? What kind of variety or balance should we be looking for between preaching through a book and something more topical, or Old Testament versus New Testament? What is the ideal length for a sermon series? Is there a value in having breaks in the middle of a series? Where do lay preachers fit in to the preaching schedule? Should our goal be to preach through every book of the Bible? How do you keep from repeating yourself or getting on your soapbox? How do you keep your preaching fresh? Preachit! S01E13 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio keywords: alan stanley preach preachit christ centred

In this next episode of the Preachit podcast I continue to talk with Zack Eswine on the role of vulnerability in preaching. The apostle Paul said that “what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Does this mean that a preacher should avoid ever talking about themselves in the pulpit? Is there a place for being intentionally vulnerable? And if so, can one ever be too vulnerable? Some preachers avoid vulnerability altogether while others use it as a sermon ‘technique.’ How do we decide where to draw the line? Such questions call for discernment. Zack helps us think through this whole issue by examining examples of vulnerability in the Scriptures and by explaining ‘general vulnerability’ versus ‘specific vulnerability,’ ‘treasure talk’ versus ‘clay Jar talk,’ and ‘redemptive vulnerability.’ We also talk about whether it’s right for a preacher to ever preach on something that they themselves struggle with or don’t live up to. Also woven throughout this conversation is Zack adding helpful examples of how to communicate vulnerability to an audience. Preachit! S01E12 Check out the Preachit! website or connect at the FaceBook page! http://www.preachit.nz http://www.facebook.com/preachitnz Produced and edited by @RuffianBeats http://www.instagram.com/ruffianbeats Music by @samueljames.music http://www.instagram.com/samueljames.music http://www.samueljames.studio keywords: alan stanley preach preachit christ centred