Hints and helps in pastoral theology by William S Plumer (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 17 (Earnest preaching).
This week Plumer encourages 'earnest preaching'.
Firstly he demonstrates the importance of earnest preaching by giving examples of men who have been greatly useful as heralds of salvation, including:
(i) John Livingstone;
(ii) Richard Baxter;
(iii) Fletcher of Madeley;
(iv) George Whitefield;
(v) Morgan (a missionary from Scotland).
Secondly he gives examples of earnest preaching from Scripture, including
(i) Paul;
(ii) Jesus.
Thirdly Plumer provides quotes from the teachings of pious men about earnest preaching, including from:
(i) Richard Baxter;
(ii) Jonathan Edwards;
(iii) Adam Clarke;
(iv) Coke;
(v) Mason;
(vi) Burnet;
(vii) Wilkins;
(viii) Quintilian;
(ix) Chrysostom;
(x) Charles Jerram;
(xi) Wardlaw.
Fourthly Plumer lists Scriptures that encourage earnest preaching.
I liked the list of suggestions Plumer gave at the close of the chapter:
'1. All true, proper ardor has its seat in a renewed heart, and in a blessed experience of the precious truths of religion.
2. A very high estimate should be placed on this ardor, and we should earnestly covet it as one of the best gifts. It is the fire from heaven that should kindle every sacrifice, that should glow in every sermon. As the body without the spirit is dead, being alone ; so all our ministrations will be but poor things without this heavenly animation.
3. We should pray much for this invaluable blessing.
4. We should meditate much on those truths which are of a melting, tender nature, and labor to fill our hearts with glowing zeal for him who bled and died for us.
5. We should carefully study the lives and characters of those men who have been models of earnestness and tenderness in preaching the Gospel. '
Point 4 is particularly important!
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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