| Chapter 1 |
The Preparation for Jesus’ Preaching – Contributing
to Jesus’ mission and ministry were silent years in
Nazareth, where political, social and literary influence
came from education and home-life, where Mary’s refined
poetic grace and largeness of faith had influence upon Jesus
as he gained consciousness of the divine will. Click
here to open and read complete chapter -10 pages |
| Chapter
2 |
The Effect of His Audience on His Preaching – Regardless
of their social position, financial ability, or even personal
purity, Jesus accepted invitations into homes of all classes.
General audiences could be apathetic and enemies antagonistic,
yet Jesus managed to secure the attention of all with his
message. Click here to open and
read complete chapter -9 pages |
| Chapter
3 |
The Point of Contact in His Preaching – His intelligible
words often fell upon dull ears requiring that Jesus adapt
to people’s mental and spiritual processes of wonder,
marvel, joy, sorrow, jealousy, anger, etc. A requirement
that people submit their will to his leadership was not coerced;
obedience was test of discipleship; he observed their attitude
of surrender. Click here to open
and read complete chapter- 8 pages |
| Chapter
4 |
The Themes of His Preaching – The kingdom of God,
the Son of man, eternal life, sin and righteousness, Jesus’ death
and resurrection, and God-the-Father were major themes of
his, while fasting, the Sabbath, almsgiving, mutual forgiveness,
humility, evangelization of the world–indeed, all limits
of human conduct–were secondary and reflective of his
own experience. Click here to open and read complete chapter-
7 pages |
| Chapter
5 |
The Discourse Material of His Preaching – Jesus never
established biography writers. The gospel authors were content
to give faithful reflection of his ministry. A Harmony of
the Gospels is presented. Click here to open and read complete
chapter- 7 pages |
| Chapter
6 |
The Rhetorical Form of His Preaching – Jesus brought
the message close to the audience by asking 237 questions
which aroused anger and caused confusion among critics, while
he drew nearer to himself all humble seekers for eternal
life. Not once did he become unbalanced by their answers.
Click here to open and read complete chapter- 8 pages |
| Chapter
7 |
The Old Testament in His Preaching – Jesus confidently
undertook the task of describing meaning to the Father’s
revealed Word; he undertook this reform of his day’s
idea of truth by means of a fresh, original vision into Scripture.
Click here to open and read complete chapter- 8 pages |
| Chapter
8 |
The Parables in His Preaching – People were oppressed
by social customs, sordid in their ambitions, and ignorant
of religion. And though sinners were under the divine wrath,
they touched this Preacher’s heart; Jesus suggested
our relation to God with parables and, as well, told the
relationships people have with one another. Click here to
open and read complete chapter- 8 pages |
| Chapter
9 |
The Miracles Related to His Preaching – Miracles
were not primarily intended to create audiences for preaching;
they were the outflowing of divine goodness and compassion.
Jesus lived to benefit others and was in all ways ready to
offer help to those of a crying, personal need. Five discourses
were connected to miracle-working. Click here to open and
read complete chapter- 8 pages |
| Chapter
10 |
The Polemics of His Preaching – Jewish leaders laid
nationalistic claim of unquestioned right to God’s
kingdom; they did not tolerate a “Good Samaritan” parable
Jesus told regarding the true destiny. His new-life-for-the-spirit
message was demanding worship from them as a change from
idolatry they held towards Scripture. Click here to open
and read complete chapter- 12 pages |
| Chapter
11 |
The Personal Delivery Element of His Preaching – Jesus’ dress,
possible facial appearance, expressions of grief and other
emotion, body posture and movement are discussed. Click here
to open and read complete chapter- 6 pages |
| Chapter
12 |
The Psychology of Jesus in His Preaching – Jesus
of Nazareth was the unity of man and God, and these natures
formed modes for earthly activity. He had reverence for God
and acted in sinlessness. Jesus’ observant, non-critical,
positive and constructive mind spoke of a balance in his
nature. Click here to open and read complete chapter- 13
pages |
| Chapter
13 |
The Personal Religion of Jesus in His Preaching – His
religious expression was his work to bring people the knowledge
of God. While but partially-orthodox in observance, Jesus
was the foremost religious worker, creating–often through
miracles and the encounter with God–a new community.
Jesus taught prayer to the disciples and others. Click here
to open and read complete chapter- 7 pages |
| Chapter
14 |
The Gentleness of His Preaching – Jesus had a sympathetic
heart. He was both the loving physician and the Lord of nature.
Jesus had a chivalry, and could have been called The Knight
of the Lowly, Knight of the Sinner, Knight of Womanhood.
He had grace and showed gentleness in speech. Click here
to open and read complete chapter- 6 pages |
| Chapter
15 |
The Simplicity of His Preaching - Jesus addressed people
largely in terms of their power of thought: the home, the
farm, the store. He spoke spiritually of light, salt, treasures,
birds, roads, wolves, etc. Inherent in all was his declaring
submission to the will of God as condition for their understanding
his message. Blessing would follow for those obedient to
his commands. Click here to open and read complete chapter-
5 pages |
| Chapter
16 |
The Originality of His Preaching – There had not
been a Messiah; one to be, though, was prophesied. Common
people grew all the more sure it was Jesus, but generally
the religious leaders doubted and undertook to destroy him.
Amidst tension with entrenched hierarchy, Jesus developed
the themes of forgiveness and love for one’s neighbor,
and all others. Original insight into Scripture further established
his claim of divine mission. Click here to open and read
complete chapter- 5 pages |
| Chapter
17 |
The Authority of His Preaching – Jesus’ personality,
originality, and spirituality were anointed with an authority
that confidently dealt with skeptics, seekers, and the faithful
followers: men and women alike. Jesus’ voice rang with
royal splendor in his divine Sonship; yet Jesus was totally
approachable; mothers wanted their children to be personally
blessed by him. His message resonated, too, because of completeness
that was his as the Son of man. Click here to open and read
complete chapter- 7 pages |
| Chapter
18 |
The Power of His Preaching – Jesus was “magnetic;” sizing
up opportunities, he exhibited requisite power in voice,
courage and directness. He knew not to lose sight of his
being the Savior. Power was in miracles back then–the
thoughtful messages he presented have held the attention
of scholars since then. “There was no condition of
sin and suffering that he could not touch, no anguish that
he could not relieve, no despair that he could not turn to
hope, and no callous heart that he could not soften.” Click
here to open and read complete chapter- 7 pages |
| Chapter
19 |
The Universals of His Preaching – As The Preacher
to the World, Jesus intended his teaching for all. “Repent!”–that
message went in all directions. Jesus’ message concerned
sin and salvation’s release from it. Jesus gave his
offer of rest, and this touched non-Gentiles as well who
on occasion petitioned him for healing. Click here to open
and read complete chapter- 4 pages |
| Chapter
20 |
The Individualism of His Preaching – Jesus was a
great conversationalist, matchless in ease and grace. Twenty-eight
persons were addressed by him on twenty-four occasions. Jesus
individualized his gospel, thinking that the single believer
was worthy of reaching. This made each person feel that fulness
of life was intended for himself. Each one must individually
enter into fellowship with God; he knew the individual’s “dramatic
moment” when the soul could be reached. Click here
to open and read complete chapter- 6 pages |
| Chapter
21 |
The Dramatic Element of His Preaching – Humor and
irony were used. Jesus turned an occasion of embarrassment
into one which profited his cause. He worked along with the
emotions of others so as to maximize his own teaching. Click
here to open and read complete chapter- 6 pages |
| Chapter
22 |
The Variety of His Preaching – Jesus was not monotonous,
the spontaneity and freedom of each occasion also passed
into his sermons. His created specialties were delivery of
the parable and miracle-working. He understood the variety
of Old Testament Scripture and applied it fresh and new for
his multi-appearance public. Click here to open and read
complete chapter- 4 pages |
| Chapter
23 |
The Progress of Method in His Preaching – Jesus desired
to fix the time and physical setting of his sacrifice. He
had aroused the country and the Holy City was the storm-center
of opposition; he kept away except for short occasional visits.
Jesus was moving toward his end and felt a shortness of time
to give full preparation to the followers. The author describes “waves” or
different times, Jesus spoke by discourse, or quotation of
Scripture, or the words of parables, besides working miracles.
Click here to open and read complete chapter- 6 pages |
| Chapter
24 |
The Success of His Preaching – Jesus had his ideal
for the ministry; he accomplished his goal of preparing the
crowds to eventually receive his first followers–some
600 friends; and he successfully brought the salvation aspect
of ministry to culmination by his cross. Click here to open
and read complete chapter- 4 pages |
| Chapter
25 |
The Norm-Value of His Preaching – His was the perfect
standard, approach to whose excellence would give worth to
other ministries. For today: only as the preacher becomes
the incarnation of his message will he be able to bring his
ministry to its full fruition. Editor’s note: this
was a favorite chapter of mine, an excellent conclusion to
this outstanding book! Click here to open and read complete
chapter- 5 pages |
