Episode 003: The Message & THe messenger
In this episode, Kyle Papineau and Don Sanderson unpack the relationship between the message and the messenger—how Scripture gives authority and intimacy gives access to that authority, and why a pastor’s study habits, prayer life, and personal integrity matter as much as their sermon content. They get practical about devotional rhythms, sermon prep, hermeneutics, mentorship, and setting boundaries that protect the sacred work of preaching.
Top 3 Quotes
“Scripture gives us authority, but intimacy gives us access to that authority.”
“He never gives a correction without an instruction.”
“Let’s make study great again.”
Tight Bullet-Point Outline
Welcome & Heart Behind the Series
Don & Kyle introduce the topic: “The Message and the Messenger.”
Feedback from younger pastors: they value the raw, honest conversations.
Desire: help pastors recover weighty preaching rooted in God’s presence, not social media clips.
Authority: Scripture + Intimacy
Scripture = objective authority; intimacy with God = access to that authority.
Information alone doesn’t transform; Word + Presence does.
Time with God must drive content: your message has the most power when you’ve spent time with Him.
Personal Devotional & Sermon Prep Rhythms
Don’s rhythm:
Reads through the Bible cover to cover annually.
Each week: immerses in upcoming text for 7 days; Wednesday = “mechanics day” (tools/resources, structure ~70% complete).
Keeps meditating Thu–Sat; updates notes/PowerPoint even Sunday morning as the Spirit highlights things.
~14–16 hours/week on a single sermon.
Kyle’s rhythm:
Also reading the Bible through; expository-driven with topical breaks.
Vision/series have been simmering for months before they are preached.
Tues–Thurs: heavy study; Friday: assemble structure; Sunday 5:30–7:30 a.m.: fresh final passes and tweaks.
Both emphasize: study is done early, but they keep their hearts soft to last-minute nudges from the Holy Spirit.
Expository vs Topical & the Weight of the Word
Expository preaching is often the strongest way to grow disciples.
Risk of topic-driven ministry: people chase subjects and personalities, not Scripture itself.
Paul to Timothy: “Study to show yourself approved… preach the Word” (2 Timothy 2, 4).
Pastors are called to feed the flock, not just entertain with trending themes.
Hearing God vs Chasing Voices
Don: Western church often runs after “words” because there’s no widespread revelation being preached.
Kyle: guards carefully who speaks into his life—especially as a young pastor.
Weighs every “word” against what the Holy Spirit is already saying in private.
Healthy preaching culture: people hear from God personally in the Word, and sermons confirm what He’s already speaking.
Message vs Messenger: Which Matters More?
The message is God’s, but the messenger must align with the One sending it.
Danger: chasing personalities or prophetic vibes that aren’t rooted in Scripture.
Hermeneutics (Hermeneutical Spiral framework):
Original audience: What was God saying then?
Devotional: What is God saying to me?
Sermonic: How do I faithfully communicate this to the body?
God will always honor His Word (Balaam’s donkey!)—but pastors are accountable to live in alignment, not presume on His faithfulness.
High View of Scripture & Study
Don quotes Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “Whatever anyone may say… we test everything by the Word of God.”
When you question Scripture’s authority, you head toward chaos.
Don reads deeply from expositional giants (MacArthur, Lloyd-Jones, R.C. Sproul, etc.) even when he doesn’t agree on everything.
Sermons should be filled with Scripture, not just quotes and quips; Scripture memorization by immersionin the Word.
Correction, Comfort, and Tone
God’s correction is always redemptive:
“You were doing this, now do this.”
Correction + instruction = movement closer to His heart, not shame.
If we can beat people up with the Word and feel nothing, we need to go back to our prayer closet.
Pastors often weep in private before delivering a corrective word in public.
Mentors, Planning, and Different Study Models
Kyle: takes time in the fall to seek God for the coming year—series arcs, books, big rocks on the calendar.
Don: uses a study calendar, not a strict preaching calendar.
Studies one book of the Bible per month but doesn’t preach from it that month—lets it form him first, then the church.
Encourage young pastors: seek mentors whose message and messenger line up, not just gifted communicators.
Bad Habits & Shortcuts to Avoid
Stories of pastors copying revival sermon books or pulling an old outline out of a drawer with no fresh interaction with the text.
God may still use it, but nutritional value is low when the pastor hasn’t carried the message in their own soul.
It’s fine to learn from or adapt others’ work if:
You spend time with the text yourself.
You give credit.
You let the Holy Spirit apply it to your people and context.
Boundaries & Final Challenges
Don: set hard boundaries for study days or others will set your schedule for you.
Appointments only Tues/Thurs; no calls or meetings on Wednesdays—study and prep only.
Closing advice to young pastors:
Kyle: “Double your study time, then double your time in prayer, and watch what God does.”
Don: Guard your schedule so you can truly “study to show yourself approved.”
Summary
Episode 3 of They Call Me Pastor dives deep into sermon preparation for pastors, unpacking how Scripture gives authority and intimacy with God gives access to that authority. Kyle and Don walk through their personal rhythms of Bible reading, expository preaching, sermon planning, and hermeneutics—emphasizing a high view of Scripture, careful handling of the text, and the need for both message and messenger to align with Christ. They warn against personality-driven, topic-only preaching; call pastors to “make study great again”; and urge young ministers to seek mentors, set boundaries, double their study and prayer time, and carry the weight of preaching as a holy stewardship, not just another piece of content.
Quick FAQ
What matters more for preaching: the message or the messenger?
The message is God’s and carries intrinsic authority, but the messenger’s life, alignment, and intimacy with God profoundly affect how that message is carried and received.
How many hours should a pastor spend on sermon prep?
It varies, but Don models ~14–16 hours per message, with both he and Kyle emphasizing steady weekly rhythms, not last-minute rushes.
Is expository preaching better than topical preaching?
Both have value, but expository preaching is often stronger for long-term disciple-making, while topical series can serve as strategic “breaks” when built on a solid expository foundation.
How can young pastors grow as messengers?
Read the Bible consistently, deepen your prayer life, study the text thoroughly, seek godly mentors, and set firm boundaries for study and reflection.