For Young Pastors: How to Preach
Part 3: Preach Like Jesus
If young pastors want to understand preaching, they must study Jesus Christ.
Throughout Christian history, numerous preachers have developed distinctive communication styles. Some have been known for their theological depth, others for their evangelistic enthusiasm, and others for their ability to explain Scripture.
But Jesus Christ is the ultimate example for Christian preaching.
Jesus was not simply an effective public speaker. He was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the central figure of the Gospel.
His teaching revealed the character of God, explained the Kingdom of Heaven, confronted sin, challenged religious hypocrisy, and called people to repentance and faith.
The Gospels provide an extraordinary opportunity to study His communication methods.
Young pastors should examine not only what Jesus preached but also how He preached, whom He addressed, what methods He used, and how He responded to different audiences.
The objective is not to reproduce Jesus' divine authority or claim His unique role. It is to learn from His example of communicating God's truth.
Part 1: Understand the Central Message of Jesus
1. Preach the Kingdom of God
One of the central themes of Jesus' public ministry was the Kingdom of God.
Mark 1:14–15 records Jesus proclaiming that the time had been fulfilled and the Kingdom of God had come near, calling people to repent and believe the Gospel.
The Kingdom of God is not simply a geographical territory. It concerns God's reign, authority, and saving purposes.
Jesus taught people to understand their lives in relation to God's Kingdom rather than allowing worldly priorities to become their ultimate concern.
Young pastors should therefore understand that Christian preaching must communicate more than personal success, financial prosperity, or emotional encouragement.
It must help people understand God's purposes and their responsibility to live under His authority.
2. Preach Repentance and Faith
Jesus repeatedly called people to repentance.
Repentance involves turning away from sin and turning towards God.
Faith involves trusting God and, in the Christian Gospel, placing one's trust in Jesus Christ.
These subjects should not be removed from preaching merely because they are uncomfortable.
A pastor who speaks only about encouragement but never addresses sin, repentance, or salvation communicates an incomplete Christian message.
The Gospel offers forgiveness and reconciliation, but it also calls people to a transformed life.
3. Preach About Love
Jesus summarized the commandments around loving God and loving one's neighbour (Matthew 22:37–40).
Love was not merely an emotional feeling in His teaching. It involved obedience, sacrifice, forgiveness, compassion, and practical responsibility.
In John 13:34–35, Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment to love one another.
Young pastors should communicate Christian love as a central characteristic of discipleship.
Preaching should challenge hatred, revenge, selfishness, hypocrisy, and indifference towards people who are suffering.
4. Preach Salvation Through Jesus Christ
Jesus' ministry was inseparable from His identity and mission.
He taught about the Father, revealed God's character, called people to follow Him, and ultimately gave His life for humanity.
Christian preaching must therefore remain centred on Jesus Christ.
The cross and resurrection are not secondary subjects reserved for Easter. They are central to the Christian Gospel.
A sermon can address marriage, leadership, forgiveness, work, finances, or mental discipline, but it should never lose sight of the broader biblical message of redemption.
Part 2: Study the Preaching Methods of Jesus
1. Jesus Used Parables
One of the most recognizable characteristics of Jesus' teaching was His use of parables.
A parable is a short narrative that communicates a spiritual or moral truth.
Consider some examples:
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37).
- The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32).
- The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1–23).
- The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3–7).
- The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30).
These stories used familiar experiences to communicate deeper spiritual truths.
Jesus spoke about farming, family relationships, money, employment, weddings, fishing, and everyday social interactions.
His listeners could understand the basic situations even when the spiritual implications challenged their assumptions.
Young pastors should learn the importance of using illustrations that connect with their congregations.
A sermon about forgiveness might include a story about reconciliation. A sermon about stewardship might discuss the responsible use of money and resources.
However, there is an important lesson in Jesus' use of parables: stories should reveal truth, not merely entertain.
2. Jesus Asked Questions
Jesus frequently used questions as a teaching method.
For example:
- "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15).
- "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51).
- "Why are you afraid?" (Matthew 8:26).
Questions encouraged listeners to examine their beliefs, motivations, assumptions, and decisions.
Instead of simply giving people information, Jesus often made them confront the meaning of that information.
Young pastors should incorporate meaningful questions into sermons.
For example, while preaching about faith, ask:
- What do you actually trust when circumstances become difficult?
- Is your faith dependent on receiving what you want?
- Do your decisions reflect the beliefs you profess?
Questions can make preaching more engaging and encourage personal reflection.
3. Jesus Used Everyday Examples
Jesus understood the world in which His listeners lived.
He referred to seeds, vineyards, sheep, shepherds, fishermen, bread, lamps, and family relationships.
These were not random illustrations. They were familiar experiences that helped communicate spiritual truths.
A modern pastor can apply the same principle.
Use examples from education, employment, technology, agriculture, business, family life, and contemporary society.
For example, a sermon about spiritual growth could use the development of a tree as an illustration.
A sermon about the importance of spiritual foundations could refer to the construction of a building, drawing on Matthew 7:24–27.
The objective is to make biblical truth understandable without changing its meaning.
4. Jesus Used Contrasts
Jesus frequently communicated through contrasts.
Consider the contrast between:
- The narrow and broad roads (Matthew 7:13–14).
- Building on rock and building on sand (Matthew 7:24–27).
- The Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14).
- Serving God and serving money (Matthew 6:24).
- The greatest and the servant (Matthew 20:25–28).
Contrasts make differences easier to understand.
Young pastors can use this method when explaining biblical choices.
For example, a sermon about Christian leadership could contrast worldly leadership based on status and authority with the servant leadership taught by Jesus.
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5. Jesus Used Scripture
Jesus regularly referred to the Old Testament.
During His temptation in the wilderness, He responded to Satan by quoting Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11).
In the synagogue at Nazareth, He read from Isaiah and explained its significance (Luke 4:16–21).
Following His resurrection, He explained how the Scriptures pointed towards His suffering and glory (Luke 24:25–27).
This demonstrates the importance of knowing Scripture thoroughly.
Young pastors should not depend entirely on personal experiences, contemporary illustrations, or motivational expressions.
The Bible must remain central to their preaching.
6. Jesus Adapted His Teaching to His Audience
Jesus communicated with different audiences, including religious leaders, ordinary people, His disciples, children, individuals experiencing suffering, and those who were socially marginalized.
His approach was not identical in every situation.
He explained difficult subjects to His disciples, confronted religious leaders, comforted grieving individuals, and welcomed children.
For example, His conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 addressed spiritual rebirth. His conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 addressed worship, living water, and His identity.
Young pastors should recognize that different audiences require different explanations.
The biblical truth remains unchanged, but the way it is communicated can be adapted.
Part 3: Learn from the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5–7, is one of the most important examples of Jesus' teaching.
It provides young pastors with an extensive study of Christian character, obedience, relationships, spiritual discipline, and life under God's Kingdom.
Several important preaching lessons emerge from it.
1. Teach the Character of a Christian
Matthew 5:3–12 contains the Beatitudes.
Jesus describes the blessedness of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness.
Young pastors should understand that Christian discipleship is not simply about attending church services.
It involves the development of Christlike character.
Preaching should encourage humility, mercy, righteousness, purity, and peace.
2. Address the Condition of the Heart
Jesus taught that righteousness must go beyond external religious performance.
In Matthew 5, He addressed anger, lust, marriage, truthfulness, retaliation, and love for enemies.
He repeatedly examined the motivations behind human actions.
This is an important lesson for young pastors.
Do not focus exclusively on outward behaviour. Help people examine the attitudes and desires that influence their actions.
3. Teach Practical Spiritual Discipline
Matthew 6 discusses giving, prayer, fasting, forgiveness, and the relationship between earthly possessions and spiritual priorities.
Jesus did not teach these subjects as opportunities for public recognition.
He emphasized sincerity and the importance of the heart.
Young pastors should encourage spiritual disciplines without turning them into performances.
4. Teach Dependence on God
Matthew 6:25–34 addresses anxiety and the importance of trusting God's provision.
Jesus uses examples from nature to communicate God's care.
This passage provides an excellent model of how to combine theological teaching, everyday illustrations, and practical encouragement.
5. End with a Call to Obedience
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with the illustration of two builders.
One builds on rock, while the other builds on sand.
The difference is not simply that one listened and the other did not. Jesus emphasizes the importance of hearing His words and putting them into practice.
Young pastors should remember this principle.
A sermon should not merely leave people impressed by biblical information. It should encourage them to respond through faith and obedience.
Part 4: Jesus' Approach to Different People
1. Preach with Compassion
Jesus demonstrated compassion towards people experiencing suffering.
He healed the sick, fed the hungry, welcomed the marginalized, and responded to individuals who needed help.
Matthew 9:36 describes His compassion for the crowds.
Young pastors should develop the ability to recognize the struggles of their congregations.
A sermon about suffering should not sound indifferent. A sermon about repentance should not become an exercise in humiliation.
Truth and compassion should work together.
2. Confront Hypocrisy
Jesus strongly criticized religious hypocrisy.
In Matthew 23, He confronted the scribes and Pharisees for their outward religious appearances and failure to practise righteousness.
This demonstrates that preaching must sometimes challenge religious behaviour.
Pastors should address hypocrisy, pride, greed, exploitation, and spiritual arrogance.
However, correction should begin with humility and an awareness that pastors themselves are accountable to God's Word.
3. Welcome Those Who Are Seeking God
Jesus welcomed people who were often rejected by religious society.
His interactions with tax collectors, sinners, and marginalized individuals demonstrate the importance of communicating God's grace.
Young pastors should make their churches welcoming environments for people who are exploring Christianity or returning to faith.
Preaching should communicate the seriousness of sin while also communicating the availability of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Preach like Jesus does not mean attempting to reproduce His divine authority or claiming His unique position.
It means learning from His example of communicating God's truth.
Study His parables. Examine His questions. Observe His use of Scripture. Understand His compassion. Learn how He confronted hypocrisy. Study the Sermon on the Mount.
Most importantly, understand the central message of His ministry.
Jesus preached the Kingdom of God, called people to repentance, revealed the Father's character, taught love and obedience, and fulfilled God's saving purposes through His death and resurrection.
A young pastor should never become so interested in preaching techniques that the message itself becomes secondary.
The ultimate objective is not to sound like Jesus.
It is to faithfully communicate the truth about Jesus and help people become His disciples.
(This story was written with the assistance of an AI writing program.)
