On Target On The Foundation Of Preaching; A Very Influential Book.

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	• Supremacy of God in Preaching, The John Piper Baker Books, 2004 - 128 pages average customer review:based on 18 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

On Target On The Foundation Of Preaching; A Very Influential Book.

This book has been an influence in my life, both on the major and minor aspects of the book.

First, Piper teaches that the purpose of preaching is for the glory of God. The ground is the cross. How often does a sermon seem to have nothing to do with God, but focusing more on what we are to do than what He has done?

The first part of the book deals with God being supreme in preaching. The second part gives a practical application through the life of Jonathan Edwards.

The basic theme is enough to influence one to focus his preaching on God's supremacy.

There are a couple of minor portions of this book that influenced me that I'd like to touch on. These are my personal impressions; count these as a bonus.

My first comment is on his selection of Jonathan Edwards. Piper commented in seminary he was encouraged to absorb a theologian; his choice was (surprise!) Jonathan Edwards. I have mixed feelings. I feel a Christian in general and a pastor in specific should focus on Scripture, and that it may lead a Christian astray to focus on one fellow disciple to absorb. However, if I was to choose a theologian, I would make it two, and choose Tertullian and Athanatius.

The other source of influence is a source of comfort and encouragement to me. Piper wrote on page 19, ". . . you can mark it down that if you are a preacher God will hide from you much of the fruit he causes in your ministry. You will see enough to be assured of his blessing, but not so much as to think you could live without it. For God aims to exalt himself, not the preacher."

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Should have been titled "Supremacy of Johnathan Edwards"

This is an inspiring review of a powerful and gifted preacher - Johnathan Edwards. While very interesting, the title led me to expect a broader inspiration of the supremacy of GOD in preaching, not a focus on Edwards.

An interesting biography of someone who has inspired John Piper, but unless you are also inspired by Edwards, this may not be the book for you.

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A wonderful primer for that preacher in need of refreshment

I found this book to be a quick, easy digestible piece of work that also refreshes and challenges the preacher to think about seriously the call that he has to provide the clear Word of God to the people he is preaching to. The work is clear, concise, and as with all of John Piper's works, very reader friendly with wit and intelligence and honesty about his love for God in every word written. His heart is for the pastor who will read this book, as becomes obvious after reading just the first few pages. I highly recommend this book!

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We Need Big Preaching

Men of God, this is a book you need to read if you are a preacher of God's Word. Piper delivers to us an extraordinarily passionate, soul-drenching, God-exalting dealing on the subject of preaching. If God is going to shake this culture with His Word, He will do it through this kind of preaching. If you want God to use your preaching for His purposes, give Piper (and Edwards) your ears. We need big preaching. God's Word needs to be loved more, Christ needs to be trusted more, and God needs to be exalted aright! We often misrepresent the text and, therefore, misrepresent our great God when we give in to wimpy preaching. We need big, Scripture-drenched, God-glorifying proclamation.

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Very Helpful and God Centered...

John Piper hit it on the head in this book. Piper is known for his zeal and love for the cross and the preaching of the word and he does not let up in this small book all centered on preaching God. The first half of the book is centered on the Trinity and their "roles" in preaching.

First, is the Goal of Preaching: The Glory of God. Piper really nails down the reason we preach and teach is all for God's glory and nothing else. He focuses the reader on understanding the preaching of the holiness of God will bring people to their knees.

Second, is the Ground of Preaching: The Cross of Christ. If one has succeeded in the preaching of holiness of God then the hearers should really be at the point of understanding their sin in light of God's holiness. This is where the blood stained cross comes in. Piper then goes to explain the humility of preaching the cross, understanding its power and its purpose. Piper is really echoing 1 Cor 2:1-5.

Thirdly, is the Gift of Preaching: The Power of the Holy Spirit. Piper now focuses on the revelation of the Spirit through the word of God and also the power the Spirit gives to a preacher who relies on Him. Piper uses the acronym APTAT every week before he preaches: A (ADMIT to the Lord that without Him I can do nothing) P (therefore, I PRAY for help) T (TRUST, not merely in a general way in God's goodness, but in a specific promise for the upcoming hour) A (ACT in confidence that God will fulfill his word) T (THANK God at the end of the service that I was sustained and the truth of His word were preached)

Piper then goes to speak of the "Gravity of Gladness" in preaching. This quote hit me really hard and I completely agree with it:

"Another answer is that a pastor who is not manifestly glad in God does not glorify God. He cannot make God look glorious if knowing and serving this God gives no gladness to his soul. A bored and unenthusiastic tour guide in the Alps contradicts and dishonors the majesty of the mountains."

For the last half of the book Piper focuses on the ministry of Jonathan Edwards and all that he has learned from this great man of the faith. He discusses keeping God central, submitting to God's sovereignty and also making God supreme.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if you are a pastor it is a must read over and over again.

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