Preaching: A God-Centred Vision

by Michael Reeves

“I want to cast a vision for preaching that is nourished by the very being of God, the glory of his Word, and the power of the gospel,” writes Michael Reeves.

Preachers are ambassadors of Christ and heralds of God, holding out Jesus so that their listeners trust, worship, and adore him.

This is a high calling, and for that we need a clear vision and great encouragement. Let this book lift your perspective and fire you up to preach with holy boldness and joy. The spiritual darkness of our day can indeed be turned back.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology

110 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Michael Reeves (PhD, King's College, London) is President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology in the UK (www.ust.ac.uk). He is Director of the European Theologians Network, and speaks and teaches regularly worldwide. Previously he has been Head of Theology for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and an associate minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.

Reviews

[H.b. Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often read, write, and teach on the mechanics of preaching. It is a critical subject that is worthy of our diligent student. The gospel is worthy of clear and compelling proclamation. However, why we preach and what we preach is infinitely more important than how we preach. Michael Reeves’ little book reminds us of the heart of true preaching: the consuming glory of God, the transforming beauty of Christ, and the life-giving power of the gospel. Preacher, read this book!

[Brett Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent little book on preaching. My biggest complaint is how “little” it is. I wanted more! Reeves puts forward a view of preaching that is rooted in and centered on Jesus, the gospel, and the life transforming Word of God rather than human intellect, eloquence, or charisma. Preaching is about God’s glory, not man’s!

The last chapter on “Preaching Like Christ” has me doing a lot of reflecting today. Reeves wrote, “It is why the Scottish preacher James Stewart wrote, ‘The inner life makes the preacher.’ Without even meaning to, the preacher will smell of whatever he truly glories in.” What am I glorying in? Is my preaching an overflow of an inner life that is joyfully and intimately growing in affections towards Jesus?

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Sinclair Ferguson says in his foreword, this book “does what it says on the tin.” Michael Reeves with startling brevity and power sets forth a glorious picture of what preaching is. This book should be read by all who preach, it will humble and excite you in equal measure. It would also be useful not just for those who preach, but those who listen to preaching too!

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immensely important book.

"Just as the Father sends forth Christ for the redemption of the world, so preachers must send him forth so that people wonder, love, trust, and adore him. Just as Christ's great and eternal purpose is to win for himself a bride, so preachers must, as it were, woo for Christ." (54)

[Rio Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since reading “Delighting in the Trinity,” I have tried to read anything Michael Reeves puts out. This wonderful yet short book on preaching focuses on the theology and ultimate aim of it. This encouraged my soul and reminded me of the high calling of preaching.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the heart of preaching is Jesus. Help people see him and love him. That’s the main message of this book.

[Simon Voth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bestes Buch übers Predigen das ich gelesen habe. Die größte Stärke des Buches ist, dass es kein Methodenbuch ist, sondern theologisch darlegt warum wir predigen und was die Predigt und den Prediger ausmacht. Sehr erbaulich und überführend. Es ist im Grunde eine christozentrische Auslegungspredigt die dazu einlädt, Christus zu verkündigen.
Warme Empfehlung, meine Freunde!

[Sean Sheeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a chapter of this before starting weekly sermon preparation. I would gladly do so again, and would encourage others who regularly preach to do similarly. Though concise, there is much depth to long encourage in the endeavour of preaching. I expect to revisit this book and put copies in the hands of others.

[Isaac Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short yet helpful work on what God-honoring preaching is. Simple but profound truths throughout. The chapter on preaching being Christ-centered was especially noticed.

[Michael Lilienthal · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many treasures in this little volume to which I will return. I wish I'd had much of this as a younger preacher, but I am thrilled to have the chance to incorporate the wisdom of the author into my ministry now. I would urge pastors to toss this book into their pile of reading and go through at least once. There's a certain amount of this that would even be beneficial for hearers to take to heart - and it wouldn't be too great an interruption to breeze through the less-than-100-pages offered.

[S.D. (Davy) Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to see an advanced copy of this book. Reeves offers a compelling, comforting, challenging, and craft-refining volume on preaching. Even in a crowded market this is a must for those who labour tirelessly in preaching. It is hard but glorious work, and this brief book will only increase your appetite for it.

[Matty Lavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super helpful book for showing what preaching is all about: Christ!

[Troy Solava · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Michael Reeves hits it out of the park. This small book (90 pages?) isn’t about the nuts and bolts of preaching. It doesn’t talk about study or outlining or illustrations. No. This book is an absolute wake up call to preachers that preaching is the delivery of Jesus Himself to people. Our God is a speaking God and he speaks His Son. Thus all preachers are to preach not just biblical knowledge or Christian behavior or doctrine. No. A preacher is to bring Christ to people with the goal of them adoring Jesus! Too many sermons preach about Jesus and not actually deliver Him.

This book is wonderful and I believe any one who wants to preach should be required to read this.

[Joey Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buy this. I love Reeves but this is my favorite of his. This isn’t a how-to manual for preaching. Reeves says, “I want to press deeper. … I want to cast a vision for preaching that is nourished by the very being of God, the glory of His Word, and the power of the gospel. For then we might see the full-blooded, heart-shaking preaching that assaults the gates of hell and fill the saints with worship.”

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book on preaching.

It is not a manual on the art of exposition, but a pocket rocket on preaching that is God glorifying, Spirit soaked, Christ centred.

All preachers should read this. It only take a few hours… But the benefit will be tremendous.

[Jack Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but very sweet. Read in one sitting. One of the more helpful “big picture” books in preaching I’ve read

[Michael Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be one my new favorite little books on preaching. It's not so much about how to preach, but about what preaching is.

[Toby Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

In this short book Michael Reeves demonstrates not just that preaching has the power to change hearts, he also shows HOW preaching changes hearts.

This will become the standard text for my young trainees on how to preach in a way that people see Christ in all his glory.

[Adam Joyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different template from the typical books on preaching. Instead of focusing on the nuts and bolts, Reeves goes right to the pastors heart, motivation, and goal in preaching. A much needed and challenging reminder.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had I not been given this book, I wouldn't have picked it up - why should I as a woman who will never preach read about preaching?... Because I listen to it every week. It is right that I have a right understanding of what it is that is happening as I am sitting under the preaching every Sunday.

I particularly appreciated near the beginning where the author conveys just how significant preaching is by stating that the Word *is* God, and God *is* His word. He has been preaching eternally. The author drills home the point that it is God Himself who is speaking from the pulpit in all faithful sermons.
If only we (I) truly understood this, how differently would we (I) enter into the sanctuary on Sundays? How much more would we (I) guard our (my) mind from wandering thoughts and cares of this world?

[Amos Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Devoted preaching also requires us to be fresh in our own awareness of the glory of God. Ironically and perhaps surprisingly, this is not easy for those who spend their lives in ministry. By sheer familiarity with spiritual things, we can easily become hardened into a mechanical professionalism.
The constant busyness and machinery of inboxes and diaries dries us out. For our own health, and the health of those we shepherd, we must therefore prioritise our own time at the deep well of living water; we must feed our own minds and souls. For as long as we serve, we must continually fight stagnation with study: studying of all God's Word, and studying good theological books that enrich our adoration and knowledge of God.”

[Gary Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book both causes you to long to hear God glorifying sermons that change you and to preach God glorifying sermons that change your hearers. Mike Reeves has produced another helpful volume for pastors, regular preachers and congregation members. The vision he shares for God glorifying sermons in persuasive and much needed in the church today. It is notable for it clarity, biblical faithfulness and integrity with its theme - glorifying God. This volume should be read alongside books which focus on the nuts and bolts of preaching to keep your vision focused on God. In line with Sinclair Ferguson’s foreword, ‘it does exactly what it says on the tin.’

[Logan S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me say first that I have yet to read anything by Michael Reeves that has not been deeply impacting. Second, this book was so helpful to me in reminding me of what the goal and aim of preaching is. This book is not a “how to” book, you’ll have to go elsewhere for that. But it is a fantastic book on what we are trying to do when we preach and it led me to pray that God would help me to continue and grow in doing the things Reeves talks about. Like most of Reeves books this is a must read for the preacher.

[Benjamin Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't a book of tips and tricks but a 'theology of preaching'. A bird's eye view of what it is and why we do it. As a minister preaching week by week I found this book to be a real encouragement to persevere. God himself has ordained the preaching of the word for gathering his people as well as building them up.

Along the way there are also plenty of insightful comments to spur further thinking. I've read it for the first time but not the last.

[John Botkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though there are some practical suggestions, this book leans into the subtitle, being a “God-centered vision” for preaching.” More specifically, it’s a breath of Christ-centered fresh air, which blows out the cobwebs of staleness and routine. Reading this book could be done in a couple of hours or meditated on over several weeks. Either way, the effect will likely be the same – I renewed sense of purpose and vigor in our preaching of God‘s word for God‘s glory.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grateful!

The small book by Michael Reeves should occupy a large section of our hearts and minds when it comes to preaching the word of God. I would recommend this for all preachers and those who train preachers. Reeves gets right to the heart of the matter.

[Guilherme Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 92 pages Reeves says so much in little. It's because God is Triune in nature that He not only speaks but preaches to His people's heads, enlightening their understanding so it trickles down to their hearts and their hearts are inflamed to worship Him in everything they do.

[Keller Hackbusch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent…just to short! Give us more Mr. Reeves!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful and readable book on the heart of preaching the gospel message.

[Ryle]

What a gift preaching is-- to simply proclaim the glories of Christ! Reeves succinctly shows what the heart of preaching truly should be, and packs so much gospel truth in this short book.