Christian ministry by Charles Bridges (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)
Today we read half of Chapter Six on the spirit of scriptural preaching.
Firstly we are commended to preach with boldness, but not with every kind of boldness so we cause offence.
Secondly we are told to preach with wisdom. This includes preaching the truth and with correct application of the truth to the people.
Thirdly we are instructed to preach with plainness: plain in our style, subject-matter and mode of address.
The need to be plain and clear in our preaching was well emphasised: 'It may be that the grammarian, the critic, the theologian, approve our discourses. But to an illiterate congregation of perishing sinners, should we not use, as the grand vehicle of our communication - "words easy to be understood?" If they do not understand their preacher, they "are destroyed for lack of knowledge." For how can they be saved by the preaching of the Gospel in an unknown tongue? And of how little account will be the reputation of an accurate logician, deep theologian, or orthodox Divine, under the weight of this awful charge!'
We must remember that we are not out to impress our listeners, but to save them.
Next week's reading
Conclude Part 4 by reading Chapter 6, Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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