The Fear of Man vs The Fear of God - Jeffrey Arthurs on Courageous Preaching

Dr Jeffrey Arthurs joins Mike Neglia for a rich and encouraging conversation about preaching, courage, and the freedom that comes from fearing God rather than fearing people.

The discussionincludes a striking quotation from Puritan preacher William Gurnall:

"We fear men so much because we fear God so little. One fear cures the other."

That idea opens the door to a wide ranging conversation about the fear of man in ministry and how a deeper awareness of God reshapes the way we preach, lead, and serve.

Jeffrey Arthurs shares insights from decades of preaching, teaching, and mentoring preachers. Along the way he offers practical wisdom on understanding the people we preach to, communicating with clarity and specificity, and learning how different biblical genres should shape the way we proclaim Scripture.

In this conversation you will hear about:

• The difference between fear of man and fear of the Lord in ministry
• Why specificity makes preaching more powerful
• The importance of understanding both the biblical context and the congregational context
• Haddon Robinson’s Subject/Complement approach to sermon structure
• The difference between feedback and feedforward when helping preachers grow
• The hidden hope inside biblical lament
• Why different literary genres in Scripture should influence our preaching style

Whether you are a seasoned preacher, a young Bible teacher, or someone who simply wants to communicate Scripture more clearly, this conversation is full of thoughtful encouragement and practical insight.

About Jeffrey Arthurs

Jeffrey D. Arthurs is Professor of Preaching and Communication at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. His passion is helping people proclaim the Word of God with clarity, faithfulness, and creativity.

His books include Preaching with Variety, Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture, and Preaching as Reminding. Before entering the classroom he served in a wide range of communication roles including pastor, missionary, announcer, and ministry consultant.

Upcoming Training Weekend

May 15th-16th, 2026 at Reliance Church in Temecula, California

Take advantage of early bird pricing until April 26th – only $120 per person!

Register Today!

The Expositors Collective is a network of pastors, leaders, and laypeople which exists to equip, encourage, and mentor the next generation of Christ-centered preachers. 

What to expect:
In this interactive training weekend, attendees will hear insightful lectures, participate in Q&A panels, meet in small groups with a seasoned mentor, build ongoing relationships, and participate in a studying/teaching practicum.

Who should attend:
Christ-following men and women of all ages, ministry experience, and church backgrounds who are students of Scripture and desire to grow as teachers of the Word. Whether you’re a regular Bible teacher or have never taught the Bible in a public setting before, this training weekend offers invaluable tools to equip you in your journey.

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