Dr. Montoya has written a helpful book on this very topic (preaching and passion). In a recent lecture at TMS during a D. Min class Pastor Alex added the following insights:
A) 2 Timothy 4:1-5 exhorts the man of God to PREACH the Word. Pastor's must be herald's of heavenly truths and preach for a verdict.
B) Pastors who are more quiet by nature can (by God's grace) still roar in the pulpit.
C) Biblical passion manifests itself in different ways. You do not have to shout all sermon long or imitate Paul Washer in order to demonstrate true passion. Note the differences that exist between John MacArthur, Sinclair Ferguson, Steve Lawson, and Alistair Begg.
How to grow in our biblical passion as we herald the word of the cross.
1) Learn to Preach with Spiritual Power.
"Passion originates in the heart of man and God." We should stand amazed in the shadow of the cross (1 Timothy 1:15 should also be our story and our song). Minister in the strength of His might.
2) Confess Any Known Sin In Your Life.
Sin robs us of joy and passion. A guilty conscience can wipe out our enthusiasm (see Psalm 51). Strive to be the cleanest vessel in the church; (lead the flock with clean hands and a pure heart).
3) Feed Your Own Soul First As You Prepare Sermons For Others.
Montoya talked about how his Grandma use to "test" all of the delicious food she served during a family get together. She often did not sit down to eat herself because she had enjoyed more than enough during as she prepared a Mexican feast.
4) Deepen Your Biblical Convictions Concerning the Things that Matter.
"These things preach and teach with all authority let no one disregard (Titus 2:15)." Montoya noted that "Men can hold opinions but convictions hold the man." Convictions will act as your spiritual instincts. Deep biblical convictions guide and direct a believer and they turn talkers into preachers! Preach weighty themes and major on the major things. Many restaurants only serve the best white meat. As preachers we should try and serve our people the best stuff!
5) Preach to Broken Hearts with a Broken Heart and You Will Never Lack an Audience.
We must not only love preaching we must also love our people (1 Thess. 2:8-9). Shepherd-preachers are generally far more effective ministers. When someone says you preached a sermon you might ask them, "Did I help you?" We need to have compassion as well as sincere zeal (2 Cor. 5:20). We are preaching to help the helpless. We want to inspire the needy. We need to use one voice to lead the sheep and the other to scare off the wolves.
Find ways to grow in your compassion by studying your own heart; live among your people (30% of Americans do not know the name of their neighbors); be a crowd watcher and listen to their heart cries; enduring hardships.
6) Preach With Biblical Authority Like Jesus Did (Matt. 7:28-29; Mark 1:22)
Experience is not the primary authority in a believer's life the Word is. If you are a younger man you need to be humble but still preach with authority because this is God's Word (not yours; Titus 2:15; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Do not be apologetic or tentative when heralding heavenly truths. You have been called by God to preach and are an ambassador of Christ; ("I come as a sent man")! If you are well prepared (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 1:29) it will give you confidence as you publicly declare the sacred Scriptures. Note also 1 Thess. 5:12-14.
You are not simply imparting information you are dealing with matters of life and death significance. Heaven and hell represent eternal life and eternal judgment. Don't forget! Divine sovereignty does not eliminate or lessen human responsibility. Pray evangelistically especially when addressing a crowd of unbelievers. Lord give me souls or take my soul is the heart of a true preacher.
8) Preach As a Trial Tested Minister of the Gospel. Trials help us to preach with greater passion.
Consider the ministries of Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul. "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply" (A. W. Tozier). You have to learn many things in the school of suffering. Trials help us to identify where our people are at and to sympathize with them (Deut. 8:3). If you see the pain of sins such as divorce or drunkess or ___ it helps you teach with enthusiasm.
9) Preach With the Whole Person.
"You are not a cadaver and the pulpit is not a coffin." If you are a real fan you don't attend a sports event and remain in your seat the whole game. Move, use non-verbal communication, engage your whole body! Free yourself up. Magnify the Lord. Preaching is expository exultation
10) Preach with Imagination.
Become wordsmithy and use language devices like word pictures. For example, John the Baptist called the Pharisees "a brood of vipers." Jesus called them "white-washed sepulchers, filthy cups," etc. Learn from the prophets and the teaching methods of Christ.
John Owen said he would give all his learning if he could preach the way John Bunyan does (note Pilgrim Progress). Many preachers fear being manipulation and in the process become dull preachers. Bring your personality into the pulpit and be yourself. Apply points one through ten above
Consider reading, "Smooth Stones taken from Ancient Brooks: Being a Collection of Sentences, Illustrations, and Quaint Sayings from the Works of that Renowned Puritan Thomas Brooks." Spurgeon believed that Brooks, is consistently direct, urgent, fervent, full of Scripture, and able to choose words which make his sentences stick in one’s mind. This book is a collection of sentences, illustrations, and quaint sayings from this renowned Puritan.
