In Bible college my hermineutics and homeletics teachers kind of gave us this formula for preparation.

YEAH HERE'S THE (Saved spiritual Christian) PREACHER'S Prescription AS YOU.. Live the life authentically in public as well as in private as His good example to learn from. 

A watching world is there to take note. 

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2

Start with prayer and the Bible Text and then let it speak for itself.. calling sin ..sin, and righteousness.. right. Don't read into the text with your own meanings. 

One cannot do Bible exposition unless you’re willing to make the effort that it takes to apply yourself studiously, prayerfully to the text. 

Be sure you are acquainted with the human author, the person or persons to whom the passage is addressed and the historical culture and circumstantial context to and from which the passage is written. That's basic. 

To whom did the human author write? One must Understand the author, the human author, insights in to his personality, into his ministry, into his circumstances at the time. Why did he write what he wrote? To whom did he write it? What were their circumstances? What was going on in their particular time and place – historical, cultural, m context, utterly and essentially important.

Why did he write what he wrote? To whom did he write it? What were their circumstances? What was going on in their particular time and place – historical, cultural, circumstantial context, utterly and essentially important.

Determining what the historical, cultural, circumstantial context is about is important. 

If you understand something of context and background and the framework, it really makes the passage come alive. Sure, when you take the interpretation step in the process (which involves bibliography as well as textual familiarity), this brings life. 

Choose to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and the sequence, understanding the scope and depth of the divine truths contained in the passage and where they fit into the total scope of the book in which they reside and the Bible as a whole. 

You always want to be involved with your preparation time in this process of principle-izing that text. In other words, you have a Bible text in front of you that you've prayed over, and what you want to do is transform that into basic principles. And that flows out of the interpretative process. For example, what principle is there to apply when we look at Matthew 8:1-4.. that we could wisely apply? Well Jesus wanted that particular man to immediately obey the law of God, to put feet to his faith. Now there it is -- you have a spiritual principle for the people.

Remember, out of the text flows the Biblical principle. The principle then becomes the basis upon which you survey the Scripture.

The application is to draw out of the text a divine truth, a divine principle. Therefore, you have principle-ized the text. Just follow the flow of the text.

You can often get your illustration from the text as well, but after you've principle-ized the text, you take that principle and find it wherever you can in the Word of God to support the fact that this is a Scripture-wide truth (not an idea merely in one location). And it’s like a diamond. You want to come at it in all kinds of facets.

God is the Author of the Bible, though He used people to pen it. God is very consistent with Himself and never once inconsistent with Himself.

Purpose early on. Do nothing independent from the Holy Spirit leading you. When you get feeling your oats, get feeling real intellectual with all the data, pray about it and remain dependent upon the Spirit.

This is where you and I need to stop, humble ourselves, confess our need, and spend time allowing the Spirit of God to purify your heart, soul and mind.

Do you remember the promise of our Lord to the Bible writers in John’s gospel? He said that the Spirit would come and lead them into all truth and bring all things to their remembrance.

Those words were primarily for the writers of Scripture, and not for us. But you and I have a similar promise in 1 John, don’t we? Sure. That we have an anointing from God, an unction, so that we need not that any man should teach us for the anointing from God teaches us all things.

I don't depend upon me, and you don’t depend upon you. We don't lean on human wisdom, but we depend on the wisdom of God.

Listen, you and I could never be effective students or ministers with the Scriptures unless you and I walk in the Spirit, unless our lives remain yielded to the Holy Spirit step by step.

Never forget, true biblical exposition lets the Bible fully speak for itself, so please guard the text through proper interpretation. The best Bible-prep-tool is the Bible. (Make all of it help for sound worship, for a believer's growth, and for soul-winning too. I like recalling the C.I.A. method - Context, Interpretation, and wise application). 

Exegesis vs. Eisegesis:
• Drawing meaning out of the text instead of reading ideas into it. 
Letting Scripture Speak as the Holy Spirit Illuminates Where He Will:
• Refusing front-loaded personal presuppositions or forcing verses to match a pre-made outline. 
Divine Intent:
• Explaining precisely what God meant when He inspired the passage, making His voice paramount. 

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine..." 1 TIMOTHY 4:16

1.) CONFESS YOURSELF CLEAN (Meaning you can't but God can. Sincerely confess sins to God asking for His Kind forgiveness. Yes, in repentance and faith admit it an quit it.. confess specifically.. knowing that he will indeed freely forgive you) Keep short accounts with God. Be quick to run to him and tell on yourself. A clean forgiven heart receives peace and anointing .. This life with Jesus gives power to the message, because he empowers.

2.) PRAY YOURSELF HOT (It's not you that changes the temperature, but your decisions and getting close to the Lord will change your life)

The fire in the pulpit is kindled in the Private closet and all through the day prayer connection.

3.) STUDY YOURSELF FULL (of Truth) Fill your mind with Scripture until truth overflows your life naturally. The best tool for learning truth from different parts of the Bible is the Bible.

4.) PREACH YOURSELF EMPTY (Go for it as the Spirit leads you). I pray I never go one minute too long or forgive to give sinners and opportunity to get right with God. (As you live the life and tell your own story (your testimony of how you got saved by Jesus, and how the Lord freed you from the bondage of sin and destructive habits), as you witness sharing the gospel message, there's great fulfillment and satisfaction in living your purpose)

What do Sermonettes produce? I would say, Christianettes.

Have you yet cultivated a healthy spiritual appitite for the milk and the meat of the word? Man, don't we still have way too many preacherettes preaching too many sermonettes to too many Christianettes. Is that what any of us really want to be? 

People are hungry and want to know how to live -- they don't want to be shortchanged when you edify them. Generiously give, holding nothing back until you know it's done. On the cross Jesus said "It is finished" (John 19:30), cuz His work was completed. Not half done, half baked. Don't add to or take away from the message. Don't water it down. Give people the whole 9 yards of the gospel message. Give them an opportunity to get right with God. Put a hook or a net in every opportunity. Pour out the message God has placed in your heart From his word.

5.) TRUST GOD FOR THE RESULTS THAT ONLY HE CAN PULL OFF

Faithfully sow the seeds of Faith and leave the harvest to God. The Lord is the only one that saves, but we can give people opportunities to repent and believe in Jesus. God didn't make us the judge. He made us witnesses that tell clearly what we've seen and experienced. Don't pressure manipulate or coerce anyone to come to church or to Christ.

Every single day life in Christ is a wonderful Adventure. Who will come across my past today that needs to hear about God's love? Lord, who can I pray for today? Who's open to hear the truth cuz I don't want to force it on anyone who's not open to the truth? GOD'S WORD OUR MESSAGE. His great commission is in my great mission. KnowGod.org

What!? A Preacher's Prescription! REALLY now?

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
1 Timothy 4:16 esv

Before God uses a man publicly, He shapes him privately. A preacher's life must be as consistent in the secret place as it is in the pulpit. A watching world notices both our message and our manner of life. May I review it again? 

A. Confess Your Sins and Walk in God's Cleansing

Keep short accounts with God.

Run quickly to your heavenly Father in repentance and faith. Be honest about your failures, knowing that Christ gladly forgives all who truly confess and turn to Him.

A clean conscience does not come from our efforts but from the finished work of Jesus Christ. As we walk in fellowship with Him, He restores our joy, peace, and usefulness for His service.

Key Scriptures: Psalm 32:1-5; Psalm 51:1-12; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9.

B. Pray Until Your Heart Burns for Christ

No one can manufacture spiritual fire. Only the Holy Spirit can kindle a heart that delights in God.

The fire in the pulpit is first kindled in the prayer closet. Communion with Christ throughout the day keeps our hearts tender, dependent, and spiritually alive.

The greatest sermons are born on our knees before they are spoken from our lips.

Key Scriptures: Jeremiah 20:9; Luke 24:32; Acts 4:31; Ephesians 6:18.

C. Study Until You Are Filled with God's Truth

Fill your heart and mind with the Scriptures until God's truth naturally overflows into your speech and your life.

The Bible is the best interpreter of the Bible. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Let God's Word shape your thinking rather than allowing the world to shape it.

A preacher who has little Scripture has little authority, but a preacher saturated with God's Word speaks with heaven's authority.

Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 1:1-3; Colossians 3:16.

D. Bro, Preach Whole Heartedly, not Half-Heartedly

Be enthusiastic, in a real way. Hold nothing back.

Preach the whole counsel of God without adding to His Word or taking anything away from it. Never dilute the gospel to make it more acceptable.

Share your testimony of God's saving grace. Tell how Jesus rescued you from the penalty and power of sin. Point people to Christ, not yourself.

In every conversation, look for opportunities to cast the gospel net. Give people a clear opportunity to repent, believe in Jesus Christ, and follow Him.

Pour out what God has poured into you.

Key Scriptures: Acts 20:27; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19.

E. Trust God for the Results

Our responsibility is faithfulness. God's responsibility is the harvest.

Sow the seed of God's Word with love, truth, patience, and compassion. The Holy Spirit alone convicts sinners and gives new life. We are not called to manipulate decisions but to faithfully proclaim Christ and lovingly invite people to respond.

God has not appointed us to be judges. He has appointed us to be His witnesses, telling others what we have seen, heard, and experienced through Jesus Christ.

Leave the results in God's hands.

See: John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Every day with Christ is a wonderful adventure.

"Lord, whose path will cross mine today? Open my eyes to those who need Your love. Show me who needs encouragement, prayer, or the hope of the gospel. Give me wisdom to recognize hearts You have prepared. 

Help me never to force Your truth on anyone, but to lovingly and boldly share Christ whenever You open the door.

May Your Word be my message, Your Spirit be my strength, Your glory be my goal, and Your Great Commission become my joyful mission. In Jesus' name, Amen."

See the New Testament pattern of ministry: watch your life (1 Timothy 4:16), pray (Acts 6:4), study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15), preach Christ faithfully (2 Timothy 4:2), and trust God to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Don't clean yourself up to come to Christ. That's a bad idea cuz who can wash themselves clean? Come to Christ and let him clean up your life. The wise fisherman catches his fish before he cleans it. Christ cleanses us as we confess our sins (1 John 1:9). 

How can one "pray yourself hot"? That's a memorable expression, but it is the Holy Spirit who produces zeal and spiritual fervor as we abide in Christ (Romans 12:11; John 15:4-5). KnowGod.org