“REVIVAL AND DOCTRINAL PREACHING.”
By Roswell F. Cottrell
The copied article under this heading in Review of March 15 I esteem highly. Preaching, to be of real value, must have its foundation in truth. When this foundation is laid, stirring appeals to arouse to action are in order. The fact that the teaching of truth is out of fashion in these days, assuming that the people do not need teaching, but merely arousing, is a good reason for insisting upon the necessity of doctrinal preaching. The people have become alarmingly ignorant, though fancying that they know all that is worth knowing, and merely emotional appeals and “rhetorical flourishes,” leave them in their ignorance, satisfied with their imperfect knowledge of the truth. It is safe to follow apostolic example in the mode of preaching. It is well to read the discourses of Peter and Paul, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and preach in accordance with them. A model sermon is found in Acts 13:16–41. It consists of a statement of facts of God’s dealing with men in the past, his promises in prophecy and the fulfillment in the facts of the then present time, and concludes with a cautionary appeal and exhortation to faith in what God was doing in their day, making present truth important to be believed, as a proper motive to action. Ministers would do well to study this model. It was revealed by the Spirit to the apostle Paul that the people in the last days would turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned to fables, therefore he solemnly charged Timothy to preach the word; and it is recorded for the instruction of all preachers to the very last day. When fables abound, doctrinal preaching is especially needed. I will conclude this writing by quoting Paul to Timothy on doctrinal preaching. “I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, . . . that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” Every sort of sin is set forth as being “contrary to sound doctrine.” “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine.” “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.” “Let the elders that rule well be counted122worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” “That the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine that is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing,” &c. “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me.” “And the things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” “Thou hast fully known my doctrine.” “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine.” “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.” If the predicted time is come, there is a pressing need of doctrinal preaching.