Preaching

Preaching 

"He who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? says the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:28).

Preach the truth. Take heed of giving your own dreams and fancies in God's name. All is chaff, except the pure word of God. Oh stamp not God's image on your own self! We live in high-flown times: many people are not content with truths which lie plainly in the Scriptures; and some, to please their wanton palates, have sublimated their notions so high, that they have flown out of the sight of the Scripture - and unawares run themselves, with others, into dangerous errors! Make not experiments upon the souls of people, by delivering what is doubtful. Better feed people with sound doctrine, though it is plain meal - than that you should, with an outlandish dish, light on a wild gourd, that brings death into their pot!

Preach with the fear of God. A little bread, with God's blessing, may make a meal for a multitude. A great provision may soon shrink to nothing - if God helps not in the breaking of it. It is not your sermon in your head, or notes in your book, which will enable you to preach, except God opens your mouth! Acknowledge, therefore, God in all your ways, and lean not to your own understanding. The swelling of the heart, as well as of the wall, goes before the fall. How much may it provoke God, when you go the pulpit, and pass by His door in the way, without calling for His assistance?

Not only the preparation of the heart - but the answer of the tongue, both are from the Lord (Prov. 16:1). God keeps the key of the mouth - as well of the heart; not a word can be uttered, until God opens the door of the lips to give it a free egress. He opened the mouth of the donkey, and stopped the mouth of that wicked prophet, its master (Num. 22:28-31): hear him confess as much to Balak: "Lo, I am come unto you: have I now any power at all to say anything? the word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak" (verse 38).

Preach without fear of man. There is nothing more unworthy than to see a people bold to sin - and the preacher afraid to reprove them. Man-pleasing is both endless and needless. If you would, you could not please all; and if you could, there is no need, if you please Him who can turn all their hearts and bind their hands. They speed best, that dare be faithful.

Jeremiah seemed the only man likely to lose his life by his bold preaching; yet he had fairer quarter at last, than the smooth preachers of his time.

Just so, if you are free and bold, you may, indeed, be mocked by some - but you will be reverenced by more. Yes, even those who wag their heads at you - carry that in their conscience that which will make them fear you. They are the flattering preachers, who become base among the people (Mal. 2:9). It is not wisdom to provoke the judge, by flattering the prisoner.

Where one says, How shall I do this and sin against God? Many in their hearts say, How shall I do this and anger man? Herod feared John - and did many things; had he feared God - he would have labored to have done everything.

Preach with a good conscience. Keep a clear conscience: he cannot be a bold reprover - who is not a conscience liver. Unholiness in the preacher's life, either will stop his mouth from reproving, or the people's ears from receiving.

Preach definitely. He is the better workman, who drives one nail home than he who tries to drive many nails - but fastens none. Such preachers are not likely to reach the conscience, who hop from one truth to another and dwell on none.

Preach faithfully. The preacher must read and study people as diligently as any book in his study - and as he finds them, dispense like a faithful steward unto them. 

Preach faithfully. The Word of God is too sacred a thing, and preaching too solemn a work, to be toyed and played with. To preach truths and notions above the hearers' capacity, is like a nurse that should go to feed a child with a spoon too big to go into its mouth!

Preach gently. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all, able to teach, patient, in meekness, instructing those who oppose themselves (2 Tim. 2:24, 25). Oh how careful is God that nothing should be in the preacher to prejudice the sinner's judgment, or harden his heart against the offer of His grace! If the servant is proud and hasty - how shall they know that the Master is meek and patient?

"The words of wise men are heard in quiet" (Ecc. 9:17). Let the reproof be as sharp as you will; but the spirit must be meek. Passion raises the blood of him that is reproved; but compassion turns his affections.

Preach diligently.  The bee will not sit on a flower where no honey can be found, neither should a Christian. "Why do you sit here idle?" - you should say to your soul, when you have so much to do for God and your soul, and so little time to dispatch it in?

~William Gurnall~

(The End)