Practical Habits: Entering Worship Before Study

In this rich and reflective conversation, Tim Brown, Heath Hardesty, and Brian Daly answer questions from attendees and discuss the spiritual dynamics of sermon preparation. Together they explore how worship, prayer, and delight in Scripture form the heart behind preaching that reveals rather than merely informs.

Tim shares how Psalm 29 inspired his allegory comparing sermon preparation to the formation and venting of a storm – a vivid picture of how preaching can humble, refresh, and awaken new vision. Brian speaks about cultivating intimacy with God so that the preacher delivers a word received in worship, not a performance shaped by pressure. Heath reflects on the joy and labour of study, reminding us that the best preaching flows from delight in the Word rather than duty alone.

Drawing on imagery from Moby Dick, Heath Hardesty describes how the harpooner’s stillness before the strike mirrors the preacher’s call to quiet readiness before God. It’s a striking reminder that the power of preaching is found not in frantic effort, but in calm, focused communion.

The episode closes with encouragement to treasure the abundance of biblical tools available today, and to let the preacher’s soul be shaped first by the voice of the Lord before speaking to others.

Outline

The Storm and the Voice of the Lord

• Tim Brown’s Psalm 29 allegory: sermon preparation as the formation and venting of a storm.
• Preaching as revelation that births new desire and exposes pride.
• “Preaching helps people see with their ears” – Haddon Robinson.

Worship and the Preacher’s Soul

• Avoiding “drizzling” on listeners by preparing the heart in worship.
• Brian Daly on preaching from intimacy and dependence, not routine.
• Heath Hardesty on delight and labour: studying as worship.

Stillness Before the Strike

• The Moby Dick metaphor: the harpooner’s stillness as a model for prayerful focus.
• Learning to be still before God, letting Him shape the message.

Tools for Deeper Study

• Blue Letter Bible, Logos, The Bible Project, and E-Sword.
• Encouragement to explore design patterns, word studies, and accessible commentaries.

Final Reflections

• The joy of seeing the beauty of Christ in Scripture.
• Preaching as overflow from worship, not just output from study.

Resources Mentioned

• Blue Letter Bible – blueletterbible.org
• Logos Bible Software – logos.com
• E-Sword – e-sword.net
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville – https://www.amazon.ie/Moby-Dick-Herman-Melville/dp/0198853696 
• Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson – “Preaching is the ability to make people see with their ears.” https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781540967916_biblical-preaching 
• All Things Together by Heath Hardesty – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/776336/all-things-together-by-heath-hardesty/

Further Listening: 

Tim Brown: Preaching Up A Storm: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/preaching-up-a-storm-tim-brown 

Tim Brown: After The Storm:  https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/after-the-storm-with-tim-brown 

Heath Hardesty: Symphonic Preaching : https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/symphonic-preaching-bad-sermons-consistent-improvement-with-heath-hardesty 

Heath Hardesty: Meditation, Delight and the Full Counsel of God: https://cgnmedia.org/podcast/expositors-collective/episode/meditation-delight-and-the-full-counsel-of-god

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