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Too much Jonathan Edwards.

You have not heard of Jonathan Edward's preaching style, have you?.

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The preaching style of Jonathan Edwards was unique because not only was he nearsighted but he also prepared every word of his sermons in advance. These two facts together caused Edwards to have to read his manuscript very close to his face during a sermon, and in doing this he would have read word for word from start to finish. Overall, a pastor of the Congregational church and a profound scholar devoted to his study, Jonathan Edwards would have given very in depth sermons.

Edwards had been preaching in Northampton, Massachusetts for many years with average pastor results, but eventually his preaching caused a surprising response. The point is that Edwards dedicated himself to his work, and he did not quit when he found himself to be only average in his practice. Overall, even though Edwards did not have particularly evoking sermons, eventually his congregation began experiencing emotional outbursts.

An observation regarding the work of Edwards is that his services had not been marked by the continual show of emotion, but instead the services would have highlighted a single experience leading believers to study the scripture and to much greater devotion. The shouting for joy or the weeping in repentance would have marked Edwards effect in stimulating the great awakening. Overall, all of the diligent work that Edwards did in preparing his many sermons eventually thus had a great gain. Some may look at the preaching of Jonathan Edwards in its style and realize that without God directly working in people's lives, the preaching of Jonathan Edwards would have been without any impact at all. The work of Edwards was impacting because the power of God made it impacting. Why God chose to make Edwards an impacting pastor when he did is really just a question regarding God's choice and preferences.

http://voices.yahoo.com/jonathan-edwards-first-great-awakening-8057746.html

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Nor have you a copy of his book "On Revival" as I have, do you? The written word proclaims very convicting Truth, but does not provoke a response of awe and fear, as did his unspectacular proclamation, as those who observed Edwards claimed. his delivery was effective because it was spiritually constructed, spoken, and received if God opens one's heart. Preaching is not meant as an oratorical exercise. In spite of that, vocal delivery is particularly impressive for those whose skill set does not comprise reading well (or at all), eh?

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by The (Spoken) Word (=ρηματος; pronounced hray-mah-tos) of God" (Rom. 10:17). The Spoken Word is the Sword of The Spirit (Eph. 6:17), which is not your printed Bible (as most mistakenly conclude).

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was not delivered as a thunderous, raging torrent of passion, but as a still, small, humble convicting statement of spiritual Bible truth, as if someone were whispering a piercing truth close to your ear, "I'm sorry, but you're dying, sir."

"Through faith, we comprehend that the ages were formed by God's ρηματι (Spoken Word) . . ." (Heb. 11:3a).

"It stands written: 'Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every ρηματι (utterance) that pours forth out of the Mouth of God' " (Mt 4:4b,c,d; see Deut. 8:3).

When yielded to and controlled by the Spirit, does not the preacher proclaim Scripture as a herald, as with the voice of God?

If you want someone to become acquainted with the Savior, tell him, why don't you merely hand him a tract without a comforting explanation?

That's preaching.