Preachers cannot be content to glide along the surface of the biblical ocean, telling their hearers of the great treasures that lie under the boat.
Instead, they are to dive down into the depths of the water, see it themselves, marvel and then come up and exclaim, with seaweed on their shoulders, as one who has themselves seen: “This is who God is!” “This is what Christ has done for your souls!” It is easy to be sterile when we are dry and in the boat—preachers need to get wet, get deep, and come up and preach like they have seen something!
Jonathan Edwards is famous for many things; among them is his statement about the necessity of the heart being moved during the preaching of the Word of God:
“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 afterward by a remembrance of what was delivered. … Preaching, in other words, must first of all touch the affections.” (Jonathan Edwards, A Life, Marsden), p. 282
I think you see this type of devoted diving into the gospel-deeps through the Apostle Paul as he considers his own sinfulness and the grace of Christ (1 Tim. 1:12-17); the personal nature of the gospel (Gal. 2:20); the staggering implications of loving adoption and reconciliation because of the work of Christ (Eph. 1:3-14); the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit to conquer, subdue and arrest a sinner’s heart (2 Cor. 4:1-6).
It’s everywhere.
Effective preachers are those who have been personally moved by the text before they attempt to see others moved by the text.
From a guy who has to fight every single day to have my heart moved by the gospel, hear my plea: Don’t be content to just give your hearers a comprehensive tour guide through a passage; connect the dots to show the glory, grandeur and greatness of God in it so they can join you in marveling at the glorious view.
It’s a little thing, but it makes a big difference for you and the church.
