The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).
In preaching for good works and new obedience we must remember that the aim is not love alone but a certain kind of love—a love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
That’s hard work: not just telling our people what to do but preaching in such a way that hearts are purified, consciences calibrated, and sincere faith fed. To stir love, we aim to incite faith. We play the music first and foremost, not to bark dance steps — though we do give dance steps. Rather, we want our people to come away thinking not, “Wow, that was a lot of dance steps,” but thinking, “What music! Oh, do I want to dance to that music!”
Mathis, David. “Good Preaching Takes Hard Work,” October 23, 2022. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/good-preaching-takes-hard-work.
And even the vigorous singing of the church is a matter of sanctification and witness: Singing and Christian joy