Serious Thoughts for Christian Ministers [2]

I never preached a sermon which did not cost me prayers with strong cries and tears. Thomas Shepard

It is not marriage that spoils ministers, but sloth, self-indulgence, and the fear of the cross. Oecolampadius

Men are ever to be prepared for the Gospel by the preaching of the Law. Theodore Beza

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan. John Bunyan

In the plainest text there is a world of holiness and spirituality. Joseph Caryl

Preach Scriptural truths in Scriptural language. John Brown

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)

To preach plainly and simply is a great art. Martin Luther

The doctrine of a minister must credit his life, and his life must adorn his doctrine. Jean Daille

The ministry will not grace the man; the man may disgrace the ministry. Joseph Hall

An ignorant minister is none of God’s making, for God gives gifts where he gives a calling. Henry Wilkinson

Three things make a preacher: reading, prayer and temptation. John Trapp

If God were not my Friend, Satan would not be so much my enemy. Thomas Brooks

He was a burning and a shining light. (John 5:35)

In what God smites you, see if you have not in that sinned against him. William Whately

Never was a biography written like this: ‘Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.’ John MacDonald

The world would use us just as it did the martyrs, if we loved God as they did. Daniel Wilson

I dare not play fast and loose with God and my conscience. Oliver Heywood

If God will help me to take care of my duty, I will leave him to take care of my comfort. John Angier

When Satan borrows sense to speak one thing, let faith borrow Scripture to speak the contrary. David Dickson

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (Romans 10:1)

O, Spirit of God, bring back thy church to a belief in the Gospel! Charles Haddon Spurgeon

What difference, do you think, will God make between an open enemy and a counterfeit friend? John Oldfield

It is not wishes that glorify God, but practice. Thomas Manton

Heaven! What would you do there, you who are not born again? Thomas Boston

We must still take it for a door of hope when we get grace to abide at any duty. Michael Bruce

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. (Isaiah 64:1)

The text is the Word of God abridged; preaching is the Word of God enlarged. Nehemiah Rogers

My Master infinitely surpasses my commendations; he is so excellent that it would be but an obscuring of his excellence for me to babble about it. James Renwick

I long to be engaged in the blessed work of saying to the heathen: ‘Behold your God!’ Robert Moffat

Pray for Reformation by the Word preached. Thomas Cartwright

God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. (Psalm 67.7)

Seven Secrets of Powerful Preaching

(Drawn from the writings of Robert Bruce of Kinnaird)