The
Preacher Today
Though more than four centuries separate us from Latimer’s sermons, his words
are still convicting today. Modern day preachers should note Latimer’s indelible
stamp on the power and importance of preaching. While not all will hold his
sacramental view of preaching, all should realize and trust in the power with
which the Lord has vested the foolishness of preaching the Word of God. Truly,
it is an awesome honor and privilege to handle and to engage in such an authoritative,
potent, and effective work.
Further, we must heed Latimer’s instruction that the devil is the most diligent
preacher of all. If we will take hold of this perceptive observation of the
spiritual realm, we will be much more conscientious and assiduous in our work.
Our preaching will take on a renewed urgency and fervency. Heaven’s gates will
burst open, and hell’s gates will tremble. The Spirit will triumph, and the
Word will be remembered. Though our words might be powerful and our presentation
creative, our efforts will pale in comparison with the God whose Word we proclaim.
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Preachers, take to your ploughs! There is ground to plow, seed to sow, and,
ultimately, a harvest to gather for His name’s sake. May we never be “done
ploughing.”
_______________
Stewart
Holloway is Pastor of Forestburg Baptist Church in Forestburg, TX.
_______________
1. Hugh
Latimer, First Sermon on the Lord’s Supper, in Sermons of Hugh Latimer, Sometime
Bishop of Worcester, Parker Society ed. (Cambridge: The University Press,
1844), 334.
2. Ibid., Sermon of
the Plough, Sermons, 67.
3. Latimer, Sermon
Preached in Lincolnshire, in Sermons and Remains of Hugh Latimer, Sometime
Bishop of Worcester, Parker Society ed. (Cambridge: The University Press,
1845), 24.
4. Ibid., Sermon of
the Plough, Sermons, 59.
5. Ibid, Sermon Preached
in Lincolnshire, Remains, 38.
6. Ibid., The Fourth
Sermon on the Lord’s Prayer, Sermons, 382.
7. Ibid., Sermon Preached
at Stamford, Sermons, 292-3.
8. Ibid., Sermon Preached
on Sexagesima Sunday, Remains, 210.
9. Ibid., The Sixth
Sermon on the Lord’s Prayer, Sermons, 418.
10. Ibid., The First
Sermon Preached before Edward VI, Sermons, 86.
11. Ibid., Sermon
Preached at Stamford, Sermons, 290.
12. Ibid., The First
Sermon Preached before Edward VI, Sermons, 85.
13. Ibid., Sermon
Preached at Grimsthorpe, Remains, 117.
14. Ibid., Sermon
Preached at Stamford, Sermons, 285.
15. Ibid., Sixth Sermon
before Edward VI, Sermons, 202.
16. Ibid., Sixth Sermon
on the Lord’s Prayer, Sermons, 418.
17. Ibid., Sermon
Preached at Stamford, Sermons, 286.
18. Ibid., Sixth
Sermon Before Edward VI, Sermons, 202.