Learning from the Old Preachers
When I was only fourteen, my dad “launched” me into preaching by informing me one Friday night that where he was scheduled to go on the next Sunday was going to have a “new preacher.” When I objected, because I had hoped to spend the weekend with my grandmothers, he suggested that instead, I prepare a lesson because it was me they expected to hear Sunday morning! I took a 4-H safety speech I had given and reworked it into a sermon entitled BE SAFE AND LIVE. I still have that handwritten lesson. While I honestly believed then that it would take a half hour or so to present, I remember that in less than ten minutes I was done with every word I had written! Following this beginning, Dad promised to help me study, but he refrained from “training” me to preach. He felt such training would come best from the older brethren, and so had me sitting at their feet as often as opportunity was presented. Once I began to drive, I became their “chauffeur” to their gospel meetings, as well as a frequent guest in their homes where discussion of and explanation of God’s word was fervent.
From those earliest times to the present, I’ve valued the wisdom of the older preachers. The recordings of their sermons (audio and/or written), notes within the pages of their Bibles, and the memories of the countless conversations with them remain not only motivational but disciplinary! Their “theme” of preaching was constant with the message of “faith, repentance and baptism” combined with the insistence of “faithfulness until death promises heaven’s reward.” They avoided “issues” by preaching “thus saith the Lord” and “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” They rarely identified denominations by name, saying simply, “If the religion of which you are a part cannot be found within the New Testament, then it cannot be the church Jesus purchased with His own blood.” They were emphatic without being caustic; condemning the sin without condemning the sinner; restoring the fallen with meekness (Galatians 6:1), and never were they “brotherhood policemen” as if they were somehow above the critique of the brethren. While many were held in high esteem, as though “gifted by God” with a knowledge and understanding of God’s word, second only to the apostles, the humblest among them would respond to questioning brethren who asked for answers to their local problems, “You have the same book I use. Read it!” Such men endeavored to be of the same attitude as the apostle Paul, and “determined to know nothing among [the brethren] save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:2). Indeed, those who desire to preach in today’s world would do well to learn from these devoted mentors and notice that we must never remove the ancient landmarks! (Proverbs 22:28)
Their example of study remains beneficial. The habit of many was to enter their study early and refuse any interruption until several hours had passed. They did not merely read, they studied! They wrote their own commentaries by painstakingly recording their notes as they studied and searched the Scriptures rather than books of men to find the righteous conclusions of their interests. This way, they were never influenced by “suggestions of man” but instead, knew the Bible itself is its best commentary and dictionary. Further, when someone of faith could prove them in error, they gracious accepted the correction and did their best to announce the correction to all they had encountered lest souls believe the error and be lost. They cared that much for others!
While an honor to be a gospel preacher and chronologically one of the “older” ones now, I still miss the days of learning from these wise mentors. When the opportunity comes, it is an honor to help the young men who express a desire to become faithful proclaimers of God’s word. While I rejoice in knowing young men desire to become gospel preachers, the number of such young souls is much less than it used to be. Further, some of those desiring such an honorable calling believe a week or so of “training” or even a year or so of “shadowing” an experienced preacher will fit you for the work. It will not! Not even the constant environment of associating with the most experienced of gospel preachers will “automatically” equip you for the work of proclaiming the gospel of Christ. While invaluable examples of diligence exist and should be followed unless such dedication becomes yours, it is only an example you admire – it will profit you nothing unless you incorporate these habits as your own!
Thus, let us all learn from those who have proven themselves (Hebrews 13:7), remembering some will someday follow us! Make your example worthy of esteem, and righteous in God’s sight!