"The Preacher's first, and the most important task is to prepare himself, not his sermon" (166)

Read a good book that warms your heart. Ignite your soul in worship.

2. Prepare through Prayer

The preacher must be a man of prayer.

"The impulse to pray may come when you are reading or when you are battling with a text. I would make an absolute law of this-always obey such an impulse" (171)

3. Prepare through Bible-Reading

"I would say that all preachers should read through the whole Bible in its entirety at least once every year." (172)

"Do not read the Bible to find texts for sermons, read it because it is the food that God has provided for your soul, because it is the Word of God, because it is the means whereby you can get to know God." (172)

"If a verse stands out or hits you and arrests you, do not go on reading. Stop immediately, and listen to it. It is speaking to you, so listen to it and speak to it. Stop reading at once, and work on this statement that has struck you in this way." 173

4. Read and learn from Godly authors

Read Richard Sibbes, Lloyd Jones, Edwards sermons. Read theology, church history, apologetic reading.

"Read theology, as I say, but always balance it, not only with Church history but with biographies and the more devotional type of reading" 178

"That is why balanced reading is an absolute essential. If your heart is not as much engaged as your head in these matters, your theology is defective-apart from anything else" 179

5. Know Yourself

"Get to know yourself. You will find that there will be periods, perhaps of days, even weeks, when for some amazing reason your mind is working at its very best, and you are in a fecund condition finding ideas for sermons everywhere-'Tounges in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.' 184