Who’s the best preacher you’ve ever heard?  What was the best sermon you ever listened to?  A few months back I sat in Westminster Chapel for a day conference on the resurrection.  During the breaks I imagined what others have raved about – the ministry of Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  I was about 35 years too late.  But even so, I’ve heard some good preaching in the last 20 years.

What was it about that preacher that so impressed you?  I think back to composure, the natural style and the command of Scripture I saw in Joe Stowell when he visited England in the mid-nineties.  I think back to the obviously captured heart of David Needham as I sat under his teaching at Multnomah.  What impressed you in a preacher or teacher you’ve heard?

What was it about that sermon that resonated so deeply?  I think back to the sermon on heaven that stirred my heart heaven-ward and my life world-ward that evening in Minehead.  I think back to the overwhelming power of the cross at that Saturday afternoon service where the missionary to the Muslims shared so simply.  I think back to how my God seemed so big and my heart was stirred to worship by the little Chinese preacher with the presence of a lion.  I think back to how my life was provoked to pro-active faith action in a world of lost people by that weak missionary speaker in a bizarre jacket.

Take some time to reminisce the best preachers and the best sermons.  The ones you remember without effort, even though hundreds or thousands of sermons have come and gone since.  Thank God for that speaker, for that sermon.  Prayerfully re-live the impact as you reminisce.  It’s amazing how biblical preaching can resonate so deeply that it rings loud and clear years after the sound waves have dissipated.