"I'm back." With those words, Michael Jordan left the baseball diamond to return to the basketball hardwood. Like a cool sip of Gatorade on a hot summer day, Jordan's return refreshed basketball fans around the world. For those who do not feel "Life is sport, drink it up," Jordan's return has left them wondering, "What's the big deal?"

"What is the big deal?" you ask. What does Michael Jordan have to do with preaching? Michael Jordan knows how to hold an audience. When he steps on the court all eyes focus upon him. He took basketball to an unprecedented level. He soared the heights only to disappoint fans with his retirement. His baseball strike outs left many of us hoping that Michael would return to the hoops. Indeed he has returned. We watch with amazement as he glides through the air, his tongue wagging all the way. I do not know if Michael Jordan knows Jesus. I hope he does. I do know he gives preachers pointers on how to hold our audiences. Here are a few coaching tips on preaching the truth of Jesus Christ, taking a cue from Michael Jordan.

Stay on The Court

Michael Jordan teaches the preacher -- know your limits. Watching Jordan misjudge a fly ball on the baseball field made basketball fans wince. You hurt for him as he struggled on the diamond. The hurt was much like a parent watching his daughter fall in her first dance recital. Enter Michael Jordan, the retired baseball player. He hung up his cleats. He bagged his gloves, baseballs, and bats. Then he announced, "I'm back."

Michael's brief words told us what we already knew: Stay within your limits. Any preacher of the truth of Jesus Christ would do well to heed similar advice. Know your limits. Stay with your strengths. Stick to the things you do well.

For example, if your voice is weak, do not try to scream. If you are a good expositor, do not try preaching consistently topical sermons. If you preach heartily with an outline or manuscript, do not preach regularly without one. Good preachers stay within the confines of their strengths.

Does this mean a preacher should not attempt other types of sermons like narrative preaching or topical sermons? Does this mean the preacher should not seek to improve? Does this mean that the preacher should not seek to exceed limits of communication? No! Every communicator of truth should experiment with different types of sermons. Good preachers hone their skills. They chip away at areas of weakness. Yet for the most part preachers who communicate effectively stick to the things that work well for them over the long haul. Preachers who do not stay within their limits wind up frustrated, like a great basketball player shagging fly balls in the outfield.

Work Hard

People admire Michael Jordan because of his so-called "God-given ability." What they fail to understand is that Michael Jordan has worked hard to achieve status as the world's best basketball player. His baseball buddies complimented him on being "like one of the guys." They appreciated Michael's long hours in the batting cage. They enjoyed watching him slide into third base, dirt whirling all around. Jordan's baseball coaches commented, "If anybody can succeed, Michael will. He's got a great work ethic."