Have you ever listened to a sermon, thought it was really helpful, only to completely forget the content over the next week. Over at Tim Challies' blog he asks "the question of whether sermons should primarily enlighten the mind or whether they should primarily stir the affections."
Jonathan Edwards answers, "The main benefit that is obtained by preaching is by impression made upon the mind in the time of it, and not by the effect that arises afterwards by a remembrance of what was delivered."
And Challies concludes, "God uses books, Bible studies, conferences and sermons not just to fill my mind, but also (and perhaps even primarily) to stir my affections, even if a frustrating amount of the benefit seems to fade away far too quickly."
Stirring thoughts!
