Jonah 3:1-2 And the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,… I. THE CHARACTER OF THE SERMON; or the objective elements of success. 1. It should be argumentative. To expect men to believe without proof is to expect them to become irrational. 2. It must be positive; mainly concerned in the teaching of truth, rather than in the refutation of error. 3. It is doctrinal. The larger part of those who compose our congregations depend upon the preacher for all the knowledge they will ever have of these great theological truths. That preaching is the most practical which indoctrinates the hearers with the fundamental elements of the Christian faith. 4. It should be systematic. As there is a logical coherence between all the parts of the religion we teach, why should we exclude system from our mode of exhibiting it? 5. A bold, unflinching testimony to the great doctrines of God's sovereignty, man's inability, election, and other unpopular doctrines of the Gospel. II. THE CHARACTER OF THE MAN; or the subjective elements of success. 1. Individuality. 2. Earnestness is self-evidencing. 3. Consciousness on the part of the speaker that he is speaking to his audience. Some preach for the sake of the sermon. Others preach for the sake of the people. 4. The good preacher speaks with authority. Which may be derived from — (1) Consciousness of official dignity. (2) Unwavering conviction of the truth. (3) Consciousness of personal acceptance with God. 5. The manner of delivery should be in accordance with the rules of good speaking. Delivery is an art, and is based upon scientific principles. 6. The preacher must have weight of personal character; not only piety, but weight of character. "Who of us is sufficient for these things?" (J. W. Pratt, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,WEB: The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the second time, saying, |
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