Cowper on Paul on Preaching (16)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2.15
Would I describe a preacher, such as Paul.
Were he on earth, would hear, approve, and own,
Paul should himself direct me.
– William Cowper, The Task (1785)
We will allow Paul to direct us as we consider seven key components of preparing to preach which characterized his ministry of the Word. The first of these—not only in order but in all aspects of sermon preparation—is submitting to the Spirit of God.
The apostle Paul was conscious of the primacy of God’s Spirit in all aspects of the ministry of the Word. The Spirit alone is able to teach us the things of God (1 Cor. 2.10-12). He guides us through the veil into the very Presence of God’s glory, liberating us from every constraint and immersing us in the living Presence of the Lord (1 Cor. 2.12-18). The Spirit works in power to bring forth fruit and gifts in those who hear God’s Word (1 Cor. 4.20; Gal. 5.22, 23; 1 Cor. 12.7-11). He must fill the words we speak when we are teaching and preaching, or our words will surely lack the transforming power of God (1 Cor. 2.13).
For Paul, submitting to the Spirit was essential in all his ministry of the Word. We see him listening for the Spirit to direct the course of his ministry (Acts 16.6-10). He would have recognized and acknowledged his responsibility to the Spirit as an overseer of the flocks of God (Acts 20.28). He sought the filling of the Spirit in all his undertakings for the Word of the Lord (Acts 13.9). And he would have waited over his message to make sure that he was hearing the Spirit speak to him, directing him in what he must say or write (1 Tim. 4.1).
Submitting to the Spirit in preparing for the ministry of the Word is not so much a stage in the process of sermon preparation as a framework, context, and mood for study, meditation, reflection, prayer, and listening in silence for the Spirit to guide at each step along the way. Our preparation for ministering the Word of God will be most effective if we, like Paul, can practice submitting to the Spirit throughout the process of sermon preparation and delivery.
Resources for being and making disciples
Pastor to Pastor Podcast: In this week’s conversation with Pastor Jesse Slusher, we talk about the keys to persevering in ministry. Pastoral ministry is hard work. It’s especially hard when you persevere at it in one church for nearly a generation, as Jesse has. Jesse offers important insights and suggestions for staying the course in the calling to be a shepherd of God’s flock.
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision column we lareooking at daily tests and trials as part of the series, “Everyday Christianity”. Our Read Moore podcast is from Patrick: A Devotional History. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is studying the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. And in our daily Scriptorium column we are working through Matthew 27. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
The Ailbe Bookstore: Jesus said the Lord’s house should be a house of prayer. The people of God can, by their prayers, contribute powerfully to the growth and ministry of the local church. Our book, Pray for Your Church, offers 35 brief prayers for five facets of the church. Order your free PDF download by going to The Ailbe Bookstore (click here), and feel free to share it with others. If you’d like more of William Cowper’s views on preaching, together with my exposition of Cowper, order An Essay on Preachingfrom our Bookstore.
Resources for Shepherds: This fall The Fellowship of Ailbe will offer six growth opportunities for men of the church:
The Lewis Group:
Surprised by Joy
The Edwards Group:
“The Christian Pilgrim”
“The Preciousness of Time”
“A Divine and Supernatural Light”
Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God
Praying with the Psalms (continued):
David Timbie and T. M. Moore, Praying with the Psalms
The Writers’ Group (continued):
Corey Latta, C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing
The Men’s Study:
T. M. Moore, Strong Souls: The Inside-Out Secret of the Christian Life
Christian Classics for Discipleship:
J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism
The complete schedule will be available beginning in July at our website. Or if you prefer, send me an email at [email protected], and I’ll send the schedule to you.
From the Celtic Revival
Spiritual Poetry of the Celtic Revival: Filling Earth and Sea
The ancient fortresses of the pagans,
to which title had been gained by long habitation,
are empty and without worship
like the place where Lugaid dwelt.
The little places that were settled
by twos and threes
are Romes, with assemblies
of hundreds and thousands.
Though it was far-flung and splendid,
paganism has been destroyed:
the kingdom of God the Father
has filled heaven, earth, and sea.
– Oengus mac Oengobann, The Martyrology of Oengus, Irish, 9th century[1]
The Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800 AD) was a sudden, widespread, expansive, and clear movement of God’s Spirit, which saw paganism swept from Ireland and various places on the continent. Oengus was reflecting on the progress of the Kingdom of God over all the pagan deities and religions of Ireland during the preceding five centuries. Where once great pagan “ring forts” had stood, now monastic communities and churches, started by “twos and threes” of God’s people, dominated the landscape.
Oengus’ Féilire (“Martyrology”) celebrates the work of faithful Irish saints who believed God that His Kingdom would grow and overcome all obstacles and opposition to fill “heaven, earth, and sea”. Even though Ireland in the 5th-7th centuries was perhaps the most unlikely place for a revival to begin, this is precisely what happened, changing everything there and beyond.
The Celtic Revival is but one demonstration of the truth of Daniel’s vision of the Kingdom of God, growing and overwhelming all opposition to bring grace, truth, justice, mercy, goodness, beauty, and stability to societies and nations through the proclamation of the Gospel. Oengus wanted us to remember those who had contributed to this great movement of God’s Spirit, and to call us to emulate their example in knowing, loving, and serving Jesus with all our soul and strength.
You can read this installment in our series on Celtic spiritual poetry by clicking here.
Subscribe to Crosfigell and join us for this entire series on spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. Scroll to the bottom of the home page, www.ailbe.org.
Resources from the Celtic Revival: ColumbanusThe Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800) was a significant moment in the history of the Christian movement. Learn more about it by downloading a free PDF of The Celtic Revival: A Brief Introduction.
T. M. Moore
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Carey, pp. 190, 191.
