The Privilege, Promise, Power & Peril of Doctrinal Preaching

by Thomas J. Nettles

To his doctrine he must take heed, that it be the truth of God; not the fancies of his own mind, nor the traditions, or commandments of men; but the word of God: “For what is the chaff to the wheat? Saith the Lord.” Here again he must distinguish between the law and Gospel; and between the characters of men, as saints or sinners: Must point out the ruined and guilty state of all, by nature, under the curse of a broken law; sound, as it were, Mount Sinai’s thunder in the sinners ear; present the flaming mountain to his eye; and thus produce the awful evidence, to that momentous truth, “that by the deeds of the law, shall no flesh living be justified.” To the humbled sinner, and believing soul, he must describe Jesus, as “the lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world:” As the only, the almighty, and willing savior. He must describe him, in his person, his offices, his works of love and grace, his bleeding passion, and triumphant state. He must open as it were Immanuel’s heart, in the description of divine compassion and publish the gracious invitation of the Gospel, to perishing and heavy laden souls; must shew the abundant grace contained in the promises, and the foundation on which faith may rest, in the faithfulness, infinite goodness, sovereign mercy, and unchangeable purpose of the promiser. To him, belongs the important work of drawing aside the veil of time, and opening the awful scenes of eternity, on his hearers minds; of describing the joys of paradise; an...