Religion & Spirituality
Our Scripture verse on preaching is 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which reads: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Our quote on preaching today is from Patrick Henry. He said, "It is the business of a virtuous clergy to censure vice in every appearance of it." Our first topic is titled "The Call to the Ministry, Part 7" from "Lectures to My Students" by Charles H. Spurgeon. He writes: I should not complete this point if I did not add, that mere ability to edify, and aptness to teach is not enough, there must be other talents to complete the pastoral character. Sound judgment and solid experience must instruct you; gentle manners and loving affections must sway you; firmness and courage must be manifest; and tenderness and sympathy must not be lacking. Gifts administrative in ruling well will be as requisite as gifts instructive in teaching well. You must be fitted to lead, prepared to endure, and able to persevere. In grace, you should be head and shoulders above the rest of the people, able to be their father and counselor. Read, carefully the qualifications of a bishop, given in 1 Timothy 3:2-7, and in Titus 1:6-9. ... Our second topic is titled "The Qualifications of the Preacher, Part 20" from "The Preacher and his Preaching" by Alfred P. Gibbs. This section is titled: HE MUST BE FIT FOR THE WORK (PART 5) If God has gifted and called a person to preach, and he neglects or refuses to exercise this gift, he will lose this ability, and discover that he cannot preach. Let us lay to heart the solemn fact that what we do not use, we shall lose! The poet has expressed it thus: ... Our third topic is titled "Tools of the Trade, Part 4" from "Biblical Preaching" by Haddon W. Robinson. He writes: --- Topical Exposition As expositors we may normally work our way through entire biblical books or extended passages in Scripture. Yet at some time or another during the year, we will preach on topics. Sermons preached at Easter and at Christmas require special topical treatment. In addition, we may preach on theological topics such as the Trinity, reconciliation, worship, God’s concern for the poor, or the authority of the Scriptures. In dealing with a Christian doctrine, we may begin our study of the Scriptures with the help of an analytical concordance or a topical Bible. The index in books on theology can direct us to discussions of the subject and passages of Scripture on which the doctrine is based. ...