Especially the Preaching

Ben Ratliff
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CHRISTIANITY

On Especially the Preaching we meet preachers of God’s Word and through simple, honest interviews, shine a light on their work—their calling, their struggles, their joys. We aim to encourage preachers, those who wish to preach, and those who want to understand the preacher’s life. This is gospel ministry, not in the high places, but in the quiet corners where Christ’s kingdom grows strong.

  1. AUG 15

    The Posture of a Teachable Heart

    Ben discusses the concepts of meekness and readiness of mind, explaining how these attitudes can transform the way individuals engage with biblical teachings. Includes practical steps to cultivate these qualities, encouraging listeners to approach sermons and scripture with expectation and humility. Send me a text! Support the show

    13 min

  2. AUG 8

    Brian Cosby

    Brian Cosby shares his journey into ministry, emphasizing the importance of preaching as faithful exposition of biblical texts. He discusses the spiritual elements of sermon preparation, the influence of pastoral care on preaching, and the challenges of shepherding in a busy world. Cosby also addresses the spiritual requirements for preachers, how to navigate cold seasons in ministry, and the importance of guarding against pride. He offers valuable advice for aspiring ministers and recommends resources for effective preaching. Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon Bryan Chappell on illustrations John Flavel sermons  Send me a text! Support the show

    48 min

  3. AUG 1

    Pray for the Preaching

    In this episode Ben discusses the often-overlooked role of the congregation's prayers in the ministry of preaching. Powerful preaching is not solely dependent on the pastor's skills but also on the active participation of the congregation through prayer. He outlines specific ways church members can pray for their pastors, including preparation, heart, delivery, and the congregation's reception of the sermon. Send me a text! Support the show

    23 min

  4. JUL 25

    Derrick Brite

    In this conversation, Derrick Brite shares his journey as a pastor and theology professor, discussing the distinctions between preaching and teaching, the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching, and effective sermon preparation techniques.  He reflects on his upbringing in Ringgold, Georgia, and how it shaped his ministry in a rural context. Derrick emphasizes the importance of theology in pastoral work and offers practical advice for aspiring pastors, including the significance of prayer, avoiding procrastination, and the value of learning from both contemporary and historical theologians. Send me a text! Support the show

    41 min

  5. JUL 11

    Jason Helopoulos

    Jason Helopolous shares his journey into ministry, the call to preach, and the essential elements of faithful preaching. He covers the importance of spiritual preparation, the mechanics of sermon preparation, and the need for pastors to guard against pride. He also offers valuable advice for young preachers, highlighting the significance of connecting pastoral care with preaching. Send me a text! Support the show

    39 min

  6. JUN 20

    Ryan Biese

    Ben sits down with his longtime friend and fellow RTS alum, Rev. Ryan Biese, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.  The two discuss the difference between preaching and lecturing, the place of Christ in every sermon, and how to structure a week around two full sermons. Ryan offers a candid look into his preparation process, including why he writes 4,000-word “outlines,” how application often lands in the final hours, and the surprising insights that come during prayer—or in the shower. Send me a text! Support the show

    30 min

  7. JUN 13

    The Minister’s Work & Message: On Preaching and Preaching Christ

    In this roundtable-style episode, Ben is joined by friends Job Dalomba and Stephen Spinnenweber to discuss two weighty themes from Pastoral Theology by Thomas Murphy: Preaching as the Minister’s Chief Calling, and Christ as the Sum and Substance of All Preaching. “The minister ought, by all means, to cultivate a very high appreciation of the importance of preaching, and to concentrate on it all his energies. The hour in the pulpit he should look upon as the harvest hour of the week. Everything else in the life, studies, and other duties of his office should be made to centre upon this his most momentous work.” -Thomas Murphy “If we do not preach [Christ and His great salvation], our ministry is nothing. It is without authority, without spirit, without power, without an adequate object, and will be without any substantial results for good.” -Thomas Murphy "Don't you know, young man, that from every town and from every village and from every little hamlet in England, wherever it may be, there is a road to London? And so from every text in Scripture there is a road to the metropolis of the Scriptures, that is Christ. And, my dear brother, your business is when you get to a text, to say, 'Now, what is the road to Christ?' And then preach a sermon running along the road to the great metropolis, Christ. I have never yet found a text that had not a road to Christ in it; and if ever I do find one that has not, I will make one. I will go over a hedge and ditch but I will get at my Master, for the sermon cannot do any good unless there be a flavor of Christ in it." -Charles Spurgeon “Christ, and him crucified, was the one theme for the preaching of which the ministry was appointed. There is no other conceivable object which was worthy of the establishment and perpetuation of such a sacred office. And it is with us either the preaching of Christ or nothing. We have no title to our ministry excepting what is involved in this.” -Thomas Murphy (Quotations taken from 2025 Log College Press edition of Pastoral Theology pages 161-166, 179-187) Send me a text! Support the show

    35 min

  8. JUN 6

    Matt Adams

    Matt Adams joins Ben to explore the significance of preaching, focusing on Matt's personal journey from a Pentecostal background to becoming a Presbyterian minister.  They discuss the philosophy of preaching, emphasizing the importance of explaining and applying biblical texts in a Christ-centered manner. Matt shares his sermon preparation process, detailing how he maps out sermon series and the mechanics of writing and delivering sermons, highlighting the need for personal engagement with the text.  Adams even shares a story from his exciting Pentecostal upbringing. Send me a text! Support the show

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

On Especially the Preaching we meet preachers of God’s Word and through simple, honest interviews, shine a light on their work—their calling, their struggles, their joys. We aim to encourage preachers, those who wish to preach, and those who want to understand the preacher’s life. This is gospel ministry, not in the high places, but in the quiet corners where Christ’s kingdom grows strong.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Ratliff
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Especially the Preaching
  • Show Website
    Especially the Preaching