Jesus the Preacher
Overview
Bailey reveals the many facets of Jesus’ preaching ministry and demonstrates how Jesus is the role model for preaching. He begins by discussing who Jesus is, then paints a picture of Jesus’ audience. He explains how Jesus adapted His style and strategy of preaching to fit every opportunity to share His message, using images and stories his audience could understand. Let Jesus the Preacher challenge you to follow the Master Communicator as you share His message today.
Top Highlights
“Those who listen to preachers have a right, indeed, a responsibility to test the message.” (Page 16)
“Those so compulsive in their use of titles such as ‘Reverend’ and ‘Doctor’ should note that Jesus was on a first name basis with those He served. He did not deny that He was the Messiah when Peter identified Him as such, but He told them to tell no one their discovery (Matt. 16:13–23; Mark 8:27–33; Luke 9:18–22). He did not base His claim to authority on supernatural credentials.” (Page 19)
“One of His outstanding traits was that of being a good listener. He listened as they came to Him. He heard about their pains, fears, and desires. He heard sympathetically the pleas of mothers, fathers, and friends. He disputed with the religious leaders, talked to women, and was persuaded by a Syrophenician woman.” (Page 37)
“Similes and metaphors are the most effective means of communicating spiritual truth to secular people in the twentieth century. Sin, redemption, salvation, the peace of Christ, discipleship, all call for concrete images.” (Page 57)
“Similes and metaphors remain the most promising tools of the preacher.” (Page 57)
- Title: Jesus the Preacher
- Author: Raymond Bailey
- Publisher: Broadman and Holman
- Publication Date: 1990
- Pages: 128
Reviews
1 rating
Richard
2/7/2023
Nice short but quite old work, which gives some relevant insights into Jesus’ preaching. Still, his thought on the sermon of the mount, is in my opinion wrong. The author states that the sermon on the mount was very short. "The longest whole sermon in the Synoptics is the Sermon on the Mount. This presentation of the ethics of the kingdom can be delivered in fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on the number of words per minute in the rate of speech." Bailey, R. (1990). Jesus the Preacher (p. 60). Broadman Press. As I see this sermon, more like a summary of a longer sermon which our Lord gave. What is good from the book, is that he is not afraid to criticise the modern-day preachers, as many preachers are light years ahead or removed from what Christian living was in Jesus' day. Read for example Eusebius Church History and compare it for yourself. "Contemporary preachers appear to prefer large crowds and comfortable, easily accessible locations; so it was in the first century." Bailey, R. (1990). Jesus the Preacher (p. 16). Broadman Press. Finally, this is not the most in-depth book on preaching, though it still shows some of the methods which Jesus used in His preaching. Which I find useful to implement in my manner of preaching and hopefully it helps yours