Power of the Pulpit - Spring - X - Chapter 13 (The preacher's interest in his immediate subject)

Required reading
The Power of the Pulpit by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 13 (The preacher's interest in his immediate subject).

My summary
Today Spring tells us that a preacher must have a deep interest in the subject of every particular discourse.

After making his case, Spring then explains that a deep interest is produced in the preacher's own mind by taking pains to feel that interest.  He then gives some advice on how to do take such pains.

What grabbed me
A good discussion well worth having.  If a preacher is bored by his subject, so will be his hearers.

I liked Spring's description of the cost that it takes to arouse an intense interest in your sermon text: ' How shall a deep interest in his subject be produced in the preacher's own mind?...It is by looking at this matter as one worthy of consideration, and by taking pains to feel that interest. Does it cost thought, it must have thought; does it cost reading, it must have reading; does it cost great self-denial, self-denial it must have ; does it cost conversation with men, or intercourse with God; these must not be denied. Sometimes it may come over the preacher's mind, like an unexpected cloud in a clear sky, and he may feel its refreshing influence ; but for the most part, it does not visit him unsought. He strives for it, because he deeply, feels the need of it; he seeks it, because it is given; and he more usually seeks it most earnestly and most successfully in the seasons of his greatest depression.'

Cultivating fascination with your sermon text is costly, but it is well worth it.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 14 (Ministers must be men of prayer).

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