In an earlier post I showed how direct Edwards was with his congregants. He was fearless in addressing both non-Christian and Christian because he knew he was “vested with a capacity and right to instruct, lead, and judge his people (no. qq)” (Kimnach’s discussion of Edwards’, Miscellanies, p. 21).

I’m sure society’s view of a preacher’s authority has diminished; I suspect that many preachers don’t share Edwards’ perceived authority.

In his Miscellanies Number 40, Edwards lists the various levels of a preacher’s authority from the listener’s perspective.

First, our listeners are obligated to listen to us because they voted us in thinking we met the necessary requirements. In this case, Edwards says, “I have power as other ministers have in these days” (Kimnach, p. 22).

Second, “But if it was plain to them that I was under the infallible guidance of Christ, and [that] I was sent forth to teach the world the will of Christ, then I should have power in all the world” (Kimnach, p. 22).

Of course the question is, How is it plain to our listeners that we are under the infallible guidance of Christ? Edwards’ answer was that a preacher is

“coming as a messenger from God to souls deeply impressed with a sense of their danger of God’s everlasting wrath, to treat with them about their eternal salvation” (p. 23, Kimnach).

In the best scenario, we preach eternal matters to those who feel threatened by the holiness of God.

Does that sound like you and your congregation?

Preaching with power and authority from our end means knowing what’s at stake every Sunday, every sermon. It means knowing we’re speaking for God. It means preaching with a sense of urgency.

My most common comment after student sermons is, “I didn’t get a sense that this message was important.” God’s Word is, but those sermons aren’t!

May we preach as though the Word of God is “supremely authoritative” (p. 21) so He receives glory in the church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21).

Randal