“The secret of preaching is not mastering certain techniques but being mastered by certain convictions” - John Stott, The Challenge of Preaching, p. 12
Conviction is combustible. It preaches better than charisma. Charisma may assist a preacher boldly proclaim his convictions, but without convictions, he isn't preaching, at best, he's entertaining.
In order to preach, a man must know what he believes and why he believes it. He must, like Ezra, study the word, do what it says and then, and only then, urge others to do the same.
Conviction inspires and sets fire to words in a way that technique can only accentuate. Techniques are not accelerants. You cannot pour technique onto a pile of wood and expect any light or heat to spontaneously combust. Techniques cannot create a fire. They can only steer or aim an existing fire.
Conviction is the spark. It will set things on fire, which is why so many preachers avoid it and why so many churches end up flame retardant.
If you don't know what you're talking about, it doesn't matter how good you are at talking about it. A good speaker is a good man speaking well. Speaking well, if not from a deep well of conviction, is not an asset, but a liability. It lulls and dulls convictions rather than awakening and sharpening them. Since it does not come from a place of passionate belief, it dispenses only dispassionate amusement resulting in disposable applause.
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