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Preachers Should Measure Twice and Cut Once

Measure twice and cut once. For generations, the veteran builder has spoken these words over a sawhorse to their younger apprentice. Because as the saying goes, when you spend extra time being precise on your measurement, you won’t waste time (and wood) by repeating it over again. What’s true in the wood shop is also true in the study. The preacher must measure twice and cut once when preparing to make an argument.

First Measurement: Your Argument

Before getting into some of the measurement tips, it’s important to have a clear objective for the argument. Why are you preaching? I think a lot of preachers give little thought to this. It’s easily assumed. We want to glorify God, equip the saints, and see the lost saved. But how? And what does an argument have to do with this?

I think many default to informing rather than persuading. There’s a massive difference. Informing is telling people certain information and truths and persuading them that these truths matter to them–right now! I think preaching is not less than informing, but it’s much more. It aims to reach in through the mind to grip the heart with truth. Think of the Apostle Paul’s example in the book of Acts. It’s one of the primary words Luke uses to capture what Paul was doing (Acts 17:4; 18:4, 13; 19:8, 26; 26:28). He aimed to persuade via the vehicle of an argument of the truth. Many preachers would find their pulpit ministries greatly enhanced if they adopted the subtle shift from mere (faithful) information to a zealous priority of persuasion.

Many preachers would find their pulpit ministries greatly enhanced if they adopted the subtle shift from mere (faithful) information to a zealous priority of persuasion.

Acknowledging that God is sovereign and that he works through means, how can we work to make our sermons more persuasive?

Make sure they’re true: I have no concern with aiding those who are spouting falsehoods about God or his Word. But, for this point, make sure what you are standing up to say God has said, he really has said. Make sure it’s right. And, while we’re here, make sure you believe it. How many sermons could be aided by a gust of wind from personal conviction? Let the truth emanate from your breath with conviction on it; own it as what you believe. It’s difficult to persuade people to believe something you don’t believe (or they perceive you don’t believe because you don’t seem all that into it.)

Make them brief: Why say something in a paragraph when a sentence will do? Slay syllables with the zeal of Owen mortifying the flesh.

Make them simple: Clarity comes through the windows of simplicity. Use the common language of the people, not the language of commentators or your favorite Puritans.

Make them sticky: In addition to what you say, consider how you say it. You can hang arguments in your congregation’s minds by injecting alliterations or using vivid imagery. Put handles on the words so they can quickly grab and carry them.

Spend extra time measuring your argument every week, remembering why you’re making it (to persuade), consider its truthfulness, and work to make it brief, simple, and sticky. You won’t regret this intentional measuring.

Second Measurement: Potential Objections

There’s a second measurement to make in our preparation, which is also often overlooked. Consider what hindrances or objections your audience might have to believe this. What obstacles stand in your way of persuading them?

So much of this depends on who you are preaching to. Are they Christians or not? What is their church background? What are the cultural idols of their community?

If the pastor is preaching to his church week after week, he should know his church and how they are prone to struggle. He should also understand what non-Christians in the broader community may tend to trip over.

If preaching on evangelism, we should consider the fear of man or thinking that our congregation may think they don’t know enough. If you’re aiming to persuade people to be hospitable, it will make sense to identify reasons why we don’t naturally do this and how the gospel transforms us to think like stewards of our time and stuff.

Clarity comes through the windows of simplicity. Use the common language of the people, not the language of commentators or your favorite Puritans.

It does happen, but people are rarely persuaded of something (especially becoming a Christian) without thoughtfully working through their own objections. When preaching, you can demonstrate that you care by considering these beforehand (measuring) and then interacting with them during the sermon. I’ve often found that when people want to talk about these parts of the sermon, it indicates they were working through their own objections alongside me. This extra measuring on the front end pays off for many as they listen and engage with your argument.

Conclusion

I know there is much work to be done in a typical pastor’s week. We’re doing everything he can to get the sermon done and serve the flock. What I’ve included here is not intended to add an extra burden but sharpen an existing one. I’m talking about how we’re doing what we’re already doing. It’s not enough to get the sermon done; we want to get it across. To do this, I advocate measuring twice and cutting once.

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