A pastor needs to not only know his people, but he needs to know his context as well. If you are proclaiming God’s word to a congregation in Salt Lake City then Mormon apologetics are going to need to take center stage moreso than if you are in a place where they are only heard and not seen. There is a concern in the DPW that as time is well spent that it is spent on where time will benefit the hearer the most. The same can be said for raising up an old heresy. There needs to be care that in defending the faith we do not plant seeds which may cause conscience issues where none existed before. Here we see again why prayer, personal knowledge, and the like are necessary if a minister is going to form a sermon which both helps and encourages the hearer.

To check back in on preaching for this week’s walk through the Westminster Directory of Public Worship we have before us four particular responsibilities the preacher needs to be aware of as he steps into the pulpit to deliver a sermon, though any of the quartet given below could apply to just about any teaching ministry he is engaged in. There is a lot that (should) goes into preparation for preaching which must be considered, both by the pastor himself and the congregation who is being readied to receive the result. It is always more helpful to ears that hear to know what to expect when they sit down in a pew on the Lord’s Day. That not only gives more weight to the event that is taking place, but it also goes a long way for all to benefit from it.

As we look more deeply into the following it is worth our time to remember that the main goal of preaching is to convict, convert, and disciple. To change hearts, conform them to Christ, and to point all present to the glory of God and His word. One way to think of it is that there is a big difference between being preaching to and being preached at. Each of the pieces of advice below will help all concerned to tell the difference that all may grow in love for Jesus in the way.

Here’s today’s selection:

In the use of instruction or information in the knowledge of some truth , which is a consequence from his doctrine, he may (when convenient) confirm it by a few firm arguments from the text in hand, and other places of scripture, or from the nature of that common-place in divinity, whereof that truth is a branch.

In confutation of false doctrines, he is neither to raise an old heresy from the grave, nor to mention a blasphemous opinion unnecessarily: but, if the people be in danger of an error, he is to confute it soundly, and endeavour to satisfy their judgments and consciences against all objections.

In exhorting to duties, he is, as he seeth cause, to teach also the means that help to the performance of them.

In dehortation, reprehension, and publick admonition, (which require special wisdom,) let him, as there shall be cause, not only discover the nature and greatness of the sin, with the misery attending it, but also shew the danger his hearers are in to be overtaken and surprised by it, together with the remedies and best way to avoid it.

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