Scott's Thoughts

My favorite preacher

When someone asks me, "Who is your favorite preacher?", before the question is over, I tell them, "Sinclair Ferguson." I've been reminded the past few days why he is my favorite, as I've been listening to a series of messages he gave on the Marrow Controversy.

The Marrow Controversy took place in the Presbyterian Church in Scotland back in the early part of the 18th century. At the heart of the controversy was the essence of the grace of God in Christ. Are we saved freely by grace, without any conditions being met on our part first, or must we first repent and then accept the offer of forgiveness and life in the gospel? Or to put the question the other way, do we preach Christ to those who have shown signs of repentance, or do we preach the gospel freely to all sinners, believing that the call to come to Christ itself will effect the saving graces of repentance and faith?

The difference appears subtle at first glance, but it is all the difference between "grace" and "grace plus works". Ferguson explained the controversy and why it matters for ministers of the gospel today.

I am simply amazed at the gifts this man possesses in communicating the gospel. He is eloquent, articulate, passionate, and forceful in his preaching. I rarely listen to his sermons and not felt like I've been ushered into the presence of Christ and shown his glory, and the glory of the gospel of free grace.

What makes him so effective in preaching? His Scottish brogue doesn't hurt. What is it about a British accent that gives instant credibility to the speaker? Part of it is his delivery. He speaks slowly, but with a stately cadence that gives peculiar weight to his words. There are no distracting or annoying utterances like stuttered words or "ums" and "uhs". (A friend who heard him speak once wondered if he was even human the way he could speak on and on with never hesitating or stumbling over a word).

You might think he is reading from a text, but when I have seen him preach he only looks down to read from the Bible. And he does the same thing when he lectures, too! Although I don't read my manuscripts word-for-word, I'd feel absolutely at a loss without my sermon in front of me.

Though flawless to the point of robotic in his delivery, Dr. Ferguson is no dry preacher. He speaks with passion. As he approaches a key point, his tone becomes more intense and his voice becomes louder (but not high-pitched, like with affected emotion) until he is very nearly shouting his words. But, even at his most intense, he is never carried away with emotion so that his speech loses its cadence and rhythm. It is a passion under control, causing each word to pound upon the soul one by one until the hearer forgets the preacher and hears Christ speaking to his heart. That is preaching!

Whenever I am complimented on my own preaching, to avoid head-swelling, I think of Sinclair Ferguson at his best and I realize how far I have to go.