Thoughts on preaching - Alexander - II - Paragraphs continued

Required reading
Thoughts on preaching by J. W. Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue the section entitled 'Homiletical paragraphs' by reading 'paragraphs' 28 to 73.

My summary
Still not entirely sure of the best way to summarise a collection of paragraphs.  Among other things, today's paragraphs appeared to have an emphasis on study of Scripture as the first priority.

What grabbed me
I must admit I don't agree with everything Alexander is writing here, such as his minimisation of wide reading in spite of his admission that he is widely read himself!

Today I liked his comparison of Mozart and the preacher: 'Reading Mozart's life. 'What wonderful precocity ! wonderful genius ! Yet such a life seems frivolous, and his death was sad; no religion. What most strikes me is the spontaniety of his genius. His compositions came to him, unsought, whether he would or no. The parts filled his mind, not successively, but all at once. Having bestowed much time on music, I see the wonder of this. I am totally destitute of the slightest musical conception of this kind. I believe, however, in exactly such a genesis of thought and feelings. We are more passive than is thought in our trains of thinking. Often have I been forced to say, " My best sermons make themselves."'

It does amaze me to consider where my better ideas for sermons have come from - they just show up as gifts from God.  It is a humbling experience and leads me to pray for further help.

Next week's reading       
Continue the section entitled 'Homiletical paragraphs' by reading 'paragraphs' 74 to 110.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.