Books are some of the best friends a pastor can have. How to know which friends to have is quite difficult, for as the inspired Preacher said, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Last week I suggested three books on pastoral ministry that every time-strapped and budget-strapped pastor should read. Here are my offerings for that most essential duty of ministry, preaching:

Preaching and Preachers by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In 1969 Lloyd-Jones traveled across the pond to deliver a series of lectures on preaching at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, which were published as Preaching and Preachers in 1972. “The Doctor” still has great relevance for preachers more than forty years later. Lloyd-Jones writes from the presupposition that preaching “is the primary task of the Church and the Christian minister.” It’s here that you find the timeless declaration that preaching is, “Logic on fire!” Also, the chief end of preaching “is to give men and women a sense of God and His presence.” You won’t agree with everything the good doctor thinks, but I promise he will make you think about preaching and preachers in a challenging way.

Between Two Worlds: The Challenges of Preaching Today by John Stott. In this book Stott manages to cover an incredible swath of material. He covers the history of preaching, contemporary challenges to preaching, theological foundations for preaching, and practical considerations for preaching. In other words, there is something for everyone in this book! Of particular help are his chapters on preaching with “Sincerity and Earnestness” and “Courage and Humility.”

Faithful Preaching: Declaring Scripture with Responsibility, Passion, and Authenticity by Tony Merida. This book sure seems to fly under the radar in discussion on preaching resources, but Merida is useful on so many levels. The book is broken down into four parts: 1) Trinitarian Convictions for Expository Preaching, 2) How Busy Pastors Prepare Christ-Exalting Expository Messages, 3) Watching Our Life and Doctrine, & 4) Preaching the Gospel in Our Generation. I enjoy how Merida interacts with relevant sources while remaining accessibly warm in presentation and wise in application. This book will encourage any seasoned preaching in his ministry and give any young preacher sound practices to employ.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper. The only reason this book isn’t in the top three is it’s brevity; it comes in right around 100 pages. Buy it, read it, and preach the greatness of God.

Speaking God’s Words: A Practical Theology of Preaching by Peter Adam. Another lesser known book. You need a strong theology of preaching and this book offers you one.