What role should your emotions play in expository preaching? Matt Woodley explores this topic with Greg Hollifield, Associate Dean for Assessment and Reporting at Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies at Union University. He said “So I started listening more closely to Haddon (Robinson’s) sermons, and I realized the emotions he was evoking were in line with the content of the text that he was expositing.” He also warns preachers of being emotionally or intellectually manipulative, when preaching God’s word. Greg talks about a recent sermon he preached where Jacob wrestles with an angel, to pursue a blessing. Find out how he frames this story, to capture the emotion of the text.

Check out what was referenced on the podcast:

• Kenneth Quick’s article "Your Text Has Feelings" found in “Staying True to the Text,” a preaching guide from Preaching Today.
• John Walsh’s book "The Art of Storytelling." Moody Publishers, 2014.

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.