Jerry Vines - Power in the Pulpit: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository Sermons

This book is an encyclopedia of practical and useful material for the serious preacher, but it reads like a fireside chat. Whether youre in your first church or a seasoned preacher, youll find both information and inspiration in its pages, the biblical how and why of effective pulpit ministry. Youll enjoy reading the book and I predict youll refer to it often.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
Distinguished Professor of Preaching, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

Preaching is the transfer of information about life, death, meaningfulness, and eternity in the pastoral setting. Engaging the intellect, preaching also massages the passions of the heart. How better to have a book on preaching born in the pastorate and edified by the classroom? Power in the Pulpit welds the two together in one of the most unique books on preaching that I have ever read. No preacher intending to touch the minds and the hearts of his constituency can afford to miss this volume.

PAIGE PATTERSON
President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminar, Fort Worth, TX

Power in the Pulpit, by my friends Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix, has already become a classic in the field of homiletics, and Im thrilled to see it reissued here in this second edition. I commend this volume highly for every preacher and for all who care about the task of preaching itself. Buy two copies, one for yourself and one for a preacher friend.

JASON K. ALLEN
President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO

From the pen of Jerry Vines, a gifted and committed expositor who has faithfully preached the Word for more than sixty years, and from Jim Shaddix, a premier professor of preaching for many years, this work is the best introductory textbook on expository preaching. I have used Power in the Pulpit in my preaching classes ever since it first appeared. It is biblical, practical, simple, and clear. From the beginning student to the most seasoned preacher, this book is a must for any library.

DAVID L. ALLEN
Dean, School of Preaching and Distinguished Professor of Preaching, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

It is hard to improve a classic. Some would say it is impossible. I must beg to differ when it comes to the updated and revised version of Power in the Pulpit. A really good book on preaching is now a really great book on preaching. This is a superb work. I will be quick to commend it and use it myself for years to come. Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix have rendered a very valuable service to the church in writing this book.

DANIEL L. AKIN
President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

Lloyd-Jones Stott MacArthur Massey Merida Eswine. Its obvious, isnt it? The most effective teachers of expositional preaching are those who have preached consistently in a pastoral context. This updated volume from Vines and Shaddix not only proves the point, it tops the list. Their years of learning and experience have converged to produce a comprehensive work that will prove exceedingly useful for a generation of preachers preparing for a lifetime of expositional ministry, not the least of which are the increasing number of men who will pastor without the benefit of a formal seminary education. I intend to require this volume for all my students!

ARTURO G. AZURDIA III
Senior Minister of Word and Worship at Trinity Church
Director of D.Min. Program, Western Seminary, Portland, OR

No other book has impacted my preaching more than Power in the Pulpit by Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix. Through the years, I have given this book to scores of men who felt called to full-time vocational ministry. Anyone desiring to be a better preacher of the Bible will find this resource to be a treasure trove for honing the craft of delivering Gods Word. Your congregation will benefit greatly when you implement the principles found in this book.

ROBBY GALLATY
Senior Pastor, Long Hollow Baptist Church
Author, Growing Up and The Forgotten Jesus

Timely updates, expert writing, and the vast preaching experience of Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix make this revised edition of Power in the Pulpit welcome instruction for a new generation of preachers who trust in the truth, authority, and transforming power of Gods Word.

BRYAN CHAPELL
Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, IL

No one has had a greater impact on my understanding of and passion for expository preaching than Jim Shaddix. No other book was as foundational in my homiletic equipping than Power in the Pulpit. To see this volume has been revised with the further accumulated wisdom and experience of Vines and Shaddix makes my heart glad for future generations of homileticians. With great joy, I commend this book to all who seek to stand each week and faithfully proclaim, Thus says the Lord!

LANDON DOWDEN
Lead Pastor, The Church at Trace Crossing

Power in the Pulpit was the first book on preaching that I ever read. As a young seminarian, I devoured it! I was hungry to learn how to preach Gods Word faithfully, and this reliable manual nourished my soul, clarified my calling, and provided the needed practical instruction for developing expository sermons. Now this revised version is even better. If youre looking for a foundational book on exposition, here it is. I have no doubt that Vines and Shaddixs work will continue to bless preachers and churches around the world for years to come.

TONY MERIDA
Founding Pastor, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC
Author, The Christ-Centered Expositor

1999, 2017 by
JERRY VINES and JIM SHADDIX

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All websites listed herein are accurate at the time of publication but may change in the future or cease to exist. The listing of website references and resources does not imply publisher endorsement of the sites entire contents.

Edited by: Jim Vincent
Interior design: Erik M. Peterson
Cover design: Smartt Guys design
Cover image of gears copyright 2015 by wacomka/iStock (471014184).
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-8024-1557-8

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To the One who has given us the treasure of the Gospel in these jars of clay. May the surpassing power belong to You and not to us every time we step into the pulpit.