By JC Ryle
- Unless you are simple in your preaching, you cannot be understood, and if you cannot be understood, you are of no good to the listeners.
- No greater mistake can be made than supposing you can easily be understood.
- The majority of preachers preach over the head of their listeners.
- It is not easy to write a clear and straightforward sermon that can be easily understood.
- To write what is simple, striking. and easily understood is a rather hard thing.
- If you are going to attain simplicity in preaching, you must have a good understanding of your subject.
- Do not preach on an obscure passage that you do not know or understand.
- Be careful of spiritualizing and drawing out something that the Holy Spirit never put in the text.
- If you want to be simple, there must be order your sermon.
- If you do not understand a passage or subject, you cannot make it simple; and if you do not make it simple, it will not be understood.
- Use simple words. Simple words, are not words of one syllable rather words that are commonly used.
- Use antidotes and illustrations. Look at the sermons of Jesus, He referred to the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the sheep, the goats, etc.
- The best speaker can turn the ear into an eye, causing people to imagine and see.
- You will never preach with simplicity without a lot of hard work. Take time to prepare and develop your sermons.