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Synopsis

Here is William Evans' classic manual on how to prepare Gospel sermons that touch hearts and change lives!This volume is not an attempt to present a complete and exhaustive treatment on Homiletics—the science and art of preaching, for there are already on the market larger and more comprehensive works on the subject. This book is prepared not only for theological students but also to supply the need of such as find themselves denied the privileges of a regular ministerial training, but who, nevertheless, feel themselves called upon to preach or proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed the lectures herein printed are in substance the same as delivered to young men and women preparing themselves for Christian service in a Bible training school. This fact accounts for their conversational style, which the author has not deemed wise to change.Christian laymen, even though not preachers in the accepted sense of that term, desiring to be able to prepare brief gospel addresses and Bible readings, will find the help they need in this volume. Those seeking help in the preparation of “talks” for young peoples’ societies, conventions, leagues, etc., may receive hints and suggestions in this work.The book contains theory and practice. Part One deals with the method of constructing various kinds of sermons and Bible addresses. Part Two is composed of outlines illustrating Part One.The closing chapter on “Illustrations and Their Use” has been found so helpful wherever delivered that it is thought advisable to give it a place in this volume.The word homiletics is derived from the Greek word homilia, and signifies either a mutual talk and conversation, or a set discourse. The preachers in the early church were in the habit of calling their public discourses “talks,” thus making it proper to speak of what is in the present day in some quarters called “a gospel talk.”From the word homilia has come the English word homiletics, which has reference to that science, or art,—or indeed both, which deals with the structure of Christian discourse, embracing all that pertains to the preparation and delivery of sermons and Bible addresses. It shows us how, scientifically, to prepare a sermon or gospel address, and how, effectually, to deliver it. Homiletics, then, is the art and science of preaching.Preaching is the proclamation of the good news of salvation through man to men. Its two constituent elements are—a man and a message—truth and personality. The gospel proclaimed by means of the written page or the printed book is not preaching. There is no such thing as seeing “sermons in stones.” Again, the proclamation of any kind of message other than the gospel message, which is the truth of God as revealed in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ especially, is not preaching. Much of what is heard from the so-called Christian pulpits of today is not real preaching. The discussion of politics, popular authors, current topics, and kindred themes may rightfully be called addresses, and may result in the emulation of the orator, but such efforts can in no sense of the word be called preaching, and such men have absolutely no right, so long as they continue to deliver such addresses from the pulpit, to the honored name of preachers of the gospel. The message of the very truth of God through man to men—that is preaching.

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