Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp

connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. God's word has the power to transform lives,

and we need pastors who will boldly and faithfully deliver sermons that will feed the church well.

So in today's episode, Paul is going to answer three final questions about preaching.

To hear the first six questions, check out the Paul Trip podcast episodes 445 and 447.

First up, Paul answers this question we received from Tanner.

Can you share how you wrestled with sermon prep in your early years

and what pitfalls you have learned to avoid?

Here's Paul.

If I would look back on the early days of my preaching,

and I would say here are errors that I made.

I would say probably the first one was I was all too aware of the good preachers that were out there.

And fell into thinking my calling was to be like those guys.

And it's a defeating thought.

You know, maybe John Piper is a preacher for his generation or a Tim Keller.

Perhaps that's not what God has called me at all to.

Benefit from good preachers, but don't try to be them.

Don't try to compete with them.

Don't try to be something that God hasn't designed for you to be.

Be natural, be yourself.

If you're preaching and it's your calling,

you've been given adequate gifts for your calling.

...