Learning to Preach Like Jesus

Thanks to Rick Warren for shaping these thoughts!

Jesus’ preaching attracted enormous crowds, and the Bible often records the positive reactions of those crowds to his teaching.
Matthew 7:28 tells us, “…the crowds were amazed at his teaching.”
Matthew 22:33 (TLB) says, "…the crowds were profoundly impressed.”
Mark 11:18 (TLB) says, “…the people were so enthusiastic about Jesus' teaching.”
Mark 12:37 (NASB) says, “The great crowd enjoyed listening to Him.”

These crowds had never heard anyone speak to them the way Jesus did. They were spellbound by his delivery.
1. Jesus began with people’s needs, hurts, and interests.
Jesus usually taught in response to a question or a pressing problem from someone in the Crowd. He scratched where people itched. His preaching had immediacy about it. He was always relevant and always on target for that moment.

2. Jesus related truth to life.
I love the practicality and simplicity of Jesus’ teaching. It was clear, relevant, and applicable. He aimed for application because his goal was to transform people, not merely inform them.

3. Jesus spoke to the crowd with an interesting style.
The crowd loved to listen to Jesus. Mark 12:37 (NCV) says, “The large crowd listened to Jesus with pleasure.” The New International Version says they “listened with delight.” Do people “delight” in your messages? Jesus never tried to convert anyone with anger.

I don't think He did it like this!