Communication Quote by Timothy Keller
“While the difference between a bad sermon and a good sermon is mainly the responsibility of the preacher, the difference between good preaching and great preaching lies mainly in the work of the Holy Spirit. . . . We should do the work it takes to make our communication good and leave it up to God how and how often he makes it great for the listener.”
About This Quote
Source Book: “Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism”
Effective preaching depends on the preacher’s effort and the Holy Spirit’s work; both are essential for impact.
In simple terms: Preaching needs human effort and divine help.
Key Takeaway
Combine preparation with openness to spiritual guidance.
Themes
faith
communication
spirituality
leadership
Mood
hopeful
inspirational
Type
theological
practical
When to use this quote
- church services
- public speaking
- teaching
- personal ministry
Key Concepts
theology
inspiration
skill development
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you prepare while trusting divine influence?
- What role does audience feedback play in preaching?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on the Spirit may be uncertain; not all audiences respond equally.
![“24 A few pages later, Delbanco writes the following: [Alexis de] Tocqueville’s detection of a “strange melancholy in the midst of abundance” has a special salience today — because while we have gotten very good at deconstructing old stories (the religion that was the subject of my first chapter…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85a/timothy-keller-240_sad_24-a-few-pages-later-delbanco-writes-the_25320.jpg)
