Among the preachers of the day-Philpot

Among the preachers of the day

(J. C. Philpot, "Memoirs & Letters" 1862)

"My message and my preaching were not with wise
and persuasive words, but with a demonstration
of the Spirit's power." 1 Corinthians 2:4

Among the preachers of the day, how few preach
the truth from any sweet experience of its power!

There is no lack of ministers, who hold the truth,
at least in the letter. But most hold it merely in
their heads. How few are enabled to preach it
feelingly and experimentally, under the savour
and blessed anointing of the Holy Spirit.

What strongholds of Satan we have to pull down!

What arrows of conviction to launch!

What balm of consolation to administer!

What strong hearts to break!

What broken hearts to bind up!

Oh, may the Lord raise up men who . . .
know the truth,
love the truth,
preach the truth,
and live the truth!

hmmhmm wrote:

Oh, may the Lord raise up men who . . .
know the truth,
love the truth,
preach the truth,
and live the truth!

Greg,

This is something I do not understand. Why do so few teach from the Power and Pain of Truth?

Have they no pain of their own? Have they experienced nothing in truth? Is their reality
so smooth and even that no ripple disturbs their day to remind them of other people's pain?

Do they not speak to those who are in pain, and have they no experience that they can empathize, not just sympathize?

How do these preachers write up a happy sermon, or even speak of joy without first speaking of the pain that precedes it?

Are our pastors, and preachers and teachers so much of this world that they now block anything they can learn from, unless it is how to increase their congregation or their income?

Just hearing this gives me pain, and a sense of loss that I do not think can be regained. We are too far gone into the evil of this world.

In sorrow,