Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching

by John Piper and Eric J. Alexander

Book Overview

Jesus told Peter, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17). Such is the mission for all Christ's shepherds. But when preaching is neglected, those who have been called to feed the sheep do little more than pet them.

In the Old Testament, God decried the fact that His people were perishing for lack of knowledge about Him. The same seems to be occurring today. There is "sharing," "suggesting," plenty of storytelling, and lots of preaching to "felt needs"...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567691072
• ISBN13: 9781567691078
• Release Date: November 2008
• Publisher: Reformation Trust Publishing
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

To be called a sheep in today's world is an insult. But if there are no sheep, what need is there fo

To be called a sheep in today's world is an insult. But if there are no sheep, what need is there for the shepherd? "Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching" is a discussion of the recent surge of individuality, to the point that many preachers no longer feel they are having any positive effect on society. Eleven pastors urge church leaders to continue to preach the word, and offer much advice in inspiring them to do so in spite of it all. "Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching" is well recommended for any preacher who needs motivating.

Book Review: Feed My Sheep - A Passionate Plea for Preaching

-Introduction- Feed My Sheep - A Passionate Plea for Preaching was originally published by Soli Deo Gloria Publications, however since that publishing house became a part of Ligonier Ministries in 2004, and given this books high demand, the decision was made by Reformation Trust (Ligonier Ministries' publishing arm) to release a second edition in hardback. It is this second edition that is being reviewed. Feed My Sheep has not only been compiled with the works of many esteemed preachers of our day, it also comes with endorsements that include Iain Murray, J. Ligon Duncan III and Don Whitney. This creates great expectation for any book, and I am confident that Feed My Sheep will not disappoint. -Summary- Feed My Sheep has to two intended audiences; preachers and lay people. It remains at an introductory level with the preface stating that their dual hope for this book is that it would "help enflame a new generation of preachers to preach the Word and will educate a new generation of believers in the pew to understand what they ought to expect from the pulpit each Lord's Day." (p. xi) They have set out to achieve this through dedicating eleven chapters to eleven different topics closely related to expository preaching. Each chapter has been contributed by a different author, most of whom are pastors themselves and therefore qualified -at least practically speaking- to address the issue at hand. 1. THE PRIMACY OF PREACHING by R. Albert Mohler Jr. 2. THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING by James Montgomery Boice 3. EXPOSITORY PREACHING by Derek W. H. Thomas 4. EXPERIENTIAL PREACHING by Joel R. Beeke 5. THE TEACHING PREACHER by R. C. Sproul 6. PREACHING TO THE MIND by R. C. Sproul Jr. 7. PREACHING TO THE HEART by Sinclair B. Ferguson 8. PREACHING WITH AUTHORITY by Don Kistler 9. EVANGELISTIC PREACHING by Eric J. Alexander 10. PREACHING TO SUFFERING PEOPLE by John Piper 11. A REMINDER TO SHEPHERDS by John MacArthur In very broad terms the call throughout Feed My Sheep is for the modern church to return to Paul's admonition to boldly and reverently "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). Apart from obedience to Scripture's command, why is this important? The preaching of the Word of God is a means of grace, and Boice states that it is by this "that God moves in the hearts and lives of people to turn them from sin to Jesus Christ" (p.22). This, along with the fact that it edifies God's people and brings glory to God is continually brought to the reader's attention. Feed My Sheep begins purposefully with R. Albert Mohler Jr. establishing the primacy of preaching, affirming Martin Luther's position that "the preaching of the Word is the first essential mark of the church" (p.1). Further, not only is the preacher to proclaim the Word of God, as R. C. Sproul expands on the role of the preacher as a teacher, he challenges congregations by stating that their cry should be, "Feed us the Word of God" (p.74). Concluding the man

Expositors Par Excellence

'Preaching is important as a means of grace not merely because it is used of God to bring about conversions, but also because it is used for our sanctification, that is, our growth in holiness.' James Boice, p 43 In this volume, some of the most sound preachers of our day explain and defend why they continue to be expository and true to the biblical text, as opposed to post-modernists, textual-critics, hyper-pneumatologists, and just about every other Enlightenment deviation. It also underscores the need for sound seminary education. 'To assert that the attempt can be a successful one without study and training upon the part of the preacher, is to deal differently with the department of sacred rhetoric, from what we do with other departments of intellectual effort.' WGT Shedd, Homiletics & Pastoral Theology p 42 'It is wrong for a man to impose his system violently upon any particular text; but at the same time it is vital that his interpretation of any particular text should be checked and controlled by this system, this body of doctrine and of truth which is found in the Bible.' Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching & Preachers pp. 66-67 But Derek Thomas warns against perfectionism, 'Its (the sermon's) research has even created a Gnostic view that only the few - those endowed by a special wisdom and insight - can possibly be trusted to understand what the Bible says. The sermon fails to underline the Reformational emphasis on the perspicuity of Scripture: 'that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain a sufficient understanding of them.' A Reformed sacerdotalism has emerged, with the preacher squarely resident between the Bible and the listener.' p 83 'The systematic preaching of the Word is impossible without the systematic studying of it.' John Stott, The Preacher's Portrait p 30 'Fragmentary preaching, however brilliant, will never do this.' RL Dabney, Sacred Rhetoric or a Course of Lectures on Preaching p 81 The preacher, as an earthen vessel, a clay pot, must seek to bring God glory under trying and testing circumstances - whilst seeking to preserve the gospel of truth firstly and his own integrity secondly. The way we handle the text as our primary responsibility is once again brought to the fore and made to be understood as of fundamental importance in bringing glory to our triune God. 'Christian living, biblically, is always based and grounded upon obedience to the truth.' John Armstrong, p 181

Pathos, preaching, and God

Contributors to this book argue that the preached word of God has become a diminished part of Sunday morning worship service in the United States. Pastors and their congregations want other means of worship to be more prominent. When the pastor does preach, less is spoken about what is written in the Bible, but a form of psychology and/or an alternative World view is `shared'. Seeking more bodies in the pews, God's word has been left behind. R. Albert Mohler, one of the contributors to Feed My Sheep, agrees that Gods word cannot exist without God's people, but he completes the quote from Martin Luther "...... and conversely God's people cannot exist without God's word." Furthermore Paul argued for the word to be preached: of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. (Colossians 1:25-26 RSV) It is the Pastor's job to proclaim God's word to inspire the listener to seek the will of God and to correct the hearers of God's word in any misimpression of God's written word and direct disobedience to God's word: Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28 RSV) John Montgomery Boice tells how God chooses to bring salvation into a person's life. The proclaimed word of God should tell of man's sinful state and his ultimate destination is hell. No one can avoid his just reward unless another takes the punishment for his sin. Jesus has done this for those who accept Him as Lord and Savior. God chooses man to spread the good news. Through the Holy Spirit God works upon man's heart. Boice further argues God's word is the chief means of Spiritual growth in God's church. To bring further comprehension of God for those that are already saved. Joel R. Beeke makes the argument for experiential preaching; {...."to explain biblical matters ought to go, how they do go, and what is the goal of the Christian life." The passion for fellowship with triune God means experiential preaching; It also addresses the believers conscience, his relationship with like believers, and those in the World: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5 AV) A sermon should be written to teach doctrine. A better comprehension of God and His will has an effect on the listening Christian. The more correctly one understands God, the better chance one will walk closely with God. One's comprehention of God will effect how one praises God through song, prayer, scripture reading, fellowship with fellow Christians, and other means to communicate thanksgiving and reverence towards God. Experi

Drink Deeply of this Scriptural Well

The Fact that this book is excellent should be no surprise, merely take a glance at the authors. This book will probably offend pastors who are in to the modern pop pyschology, but then they probably wouldn't be reading it anyway. Granted, that was probably unfair but...Naturally some chapters are better than others, here are a few:"The Lasting Effect of Experimental Preaching"--the essay on spiritual formation--worth the price of the book."The Primacy of Preaching"--by Albert Mohler--very good, a wake up call to the church."Expository Preaching"--good and bad examples of expository preaching, very fun chapter."Preaching to Suffering People"--by John Piper. It is by Piper, enough said."A reminder to Shepherds"--By John Macarthur, a fitting close to a fine book.