A model preacher.
I. A WISE MAN.
1. Possessed of secular knowledge. Gathered as precious spoil from all departments of human learning and experience. As much of this sort of wisdom as possible; the more of it the better. All knowledge can be rendered subservient to the preacher's art, and may be utilized by him for the instruction of his hearers.
2. Endowed with heavenly wisdom. If that, much more this, is indispensable to an ideal preacher. The wisdom that cometh from above as much superior to that which springeth from below as heaven is higher than earth, and eternity longer than time. A preacher without the former wisdom may be rude; without the latter he must be ineffective.
II. A DILIGENT STUDENT. Like Koheleth, he must ponder, seek out, and set in order the truth he desires to communicate to others; like Timothy, he must give attendance to reading (1 Timothy 4:13). In particular, he should be a student:
1. Of the sacred Scriptures. These divinely inspired writings, being the principal source of heavenly wisdom accessible to man (2 Timothy 3:16), should be the preacher's vade mecum, or constant companion.
2. Of human nature. Having to deal directly with this, in the way of bringing to bear upon it the teachings of Scripture, he ought to acquaint himself accurately with it, by a close and patient study of it in himself and others. Much of a preacher's efficiency is derived from his knowledge of the audience to which he speaks.
3. Of the material creation. Like Job (Job 37:14), David (Psalms 8:3; Psalms 143:5), and Koheleth (Ecclesiastes 7:13), he should consider the works of God. Besides having much to tell him of God's glory (Psalms 8:1; Romans 1:20), the physical universe can impart to him valuable counsel of a moral kind concerning man and his duties (Job 12:7; Proverbs 6:6; Matthew 5:26).
III. A SKILLFUL TEACHER. AS Koheleth taught the people knowledge, as Ezra caused the people to understand the reading (Nehemiah 8:8), as Christ according to his Word taught such as listened to him (Hark Ezra 10:1), as the apostles taught the things of the Lord to their hearers (Acts 4:2; Acts 11:26; Acts 18:25), so must a model preacher be an instructor (1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:2). To be this successfully, in addition to the wisdom and study above described, he will need four kinds of words.
1. Words of truth. These must constitute the burden of his discourse, whether oral or written. What he publishes to others must be objectively true, and no mere guesswork or speculation. Such a word of truth was the Law of God in the Hebrew Scriptures (Psalms 119:43), and is the gospel or the doctrine of Christ in the New Testament (Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18).
2. Words of uprightness. Whether he writes or speaks, he must do so sincerely, with perfect integrity of heart, "not handling the Word of God deceitfully" (2 Corinthians 4:2), but teaching out of honest personal conviction, saying, "We believe, therefore do we speak" (2 Corinthians 4:13).
3. Words of delight. Selected and intended, not to gratify the heater's corrupt inclinations and perverted tastes, or minister to that love of novelty and sensation which is the peculiar characteristic of itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3), but to set forth the truth in such a way as to win for it entrance into the bearer's heart and mind. For this purpose the preacher's words should be such as to interest and sway the listener, arresting his attention, exciting his imagination, instructing his understanding, moving his affections, quickening, his conscience, and impelling his will. Dullness, darkness, dryness, deadness, are inexcusable faults in a preacher.