My latest definition on biblical preaching comes from Joel Beeke. Dr Beeke is Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA, and editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth. The quote comes from B A Borgman’s ’My Heart for thy Cause’ on the ministry of Dr Al Martin
“It is preaching that stresses the need to know the truth of God by experience. It is discriminating preaching; defining the differences between the Christian and non-Christian, pressing home the promises of forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe and promises of wrath and judgement on those who are unconverted. It sets forth Christ as the One who saves sinners, and who must be experienced personally. It is applicatory preaching, which seeks to apply the truth of God’s word to every aspect of life. The goal of experimental preaching is to promote a religion which is power and not mere form (2 Tim.2v5). Experimental preaching is earnest about salvation and damnation. It extols the glory of God and paints the horrors of separation. It teaches the marks and fruits of grace and exposes false professors.”
A Prayer of George Whitefield:
““Yea…that we shall see the great Head of the Church once more . . . raise up unto Himself certain young men whom He may use in this glorious employ. And what manner of men will they be? Men mighty in the Scriptures, their lives dominated by a sense of the greatness, the majesty and holiness of God, and their minds and hearts aglow with the great truths of the doctrines of grace. They will be men who have learned what it is to die to self, to human aims and personal ambitions; men who are willing to be ‘fools for Christ’s sake’, who will bear reproach and falsehood, who will labor and suffer, and whose supreme desire will be, not to gain earth’s accolades, but to win the Master’s approbation when they appear before His awesome judgment seat. They will be men who will preach with broken hearts and tear-filled eyes, and upon whose ministries God will grant an extraordinary effusion of the Holy Spirit, and who will witness ‘signs and wonders following’ in the transformation of multitudes of human lives.”


