Preach the Word by A. P. Lawton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1863

Preach the Word.

By A. P. Lawton

THE Bible is the word of God, a lamp, a pilot, a safe harbor, a solid rock, a beacon, a hammer, a fire, a dry land in the midst of Jordan, a fountain of living waters, a heat, a shade, a covert, a shield, a helmet, a sword, the bread of heaven, a safe harbor, a robe, a crown, a palm, a diadem.

There is enough in the simple word, without running out into a dry theory, a heartless, hair-splitting theology. What is the chaff to the wheat? Paul tells Timothy to preach the word. He says also of himself, I determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified, forgetting self in that all-absorbing theme. Self! oh how it comes in for a share in everything! By this we may know if we are dead to the world, if its flatteries and frowns do not move us from this one purpose—Christ and him crucified.

Why much of the preaching is ineffectual, is because it is but a pompous display of words. The words may be good, but they have no appreciable weight. They are the shadow without the substance, salt without the savor, and less acceptable to God than children's play. God is not honored, nor does he dwell in their assemblies. Plain, practical preaching, that a child can understand, is more pleasing to God than all the fine, hair-splitting theories that have ever issued from pulpit, pen, or press. One soul saved is of more value than a thousand pleased.

But shall we not preach doctrine? Most certainly. Paul tells Timothy to take heed to the doctrine. We are far from believing that it makes no difference what we believe, if the heart is right. The more truth, the nearer the heart will be right. Let every nail driven be fastened by the hammer of God's word. Those who profess to have their hearts right while they are willing to go round God's word in its plain and common-sense meaning, are deceived, and must be brought back and hewed by it. Every thing that will not stand this test is hay, wood, and stubble, and must share the fate of chaff that the wind will carry away. Paul tells Timothy to 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; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears, and they shall turn from the truth, and be turned unto fables. What is truth? Thy word, O God, is truth.

A. P. LAWTON.

West Winfield, N. Y.