Preaching Without Regrets
The Preacher’s METHOD
Ecclesiastes 12:9-12
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise areas goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
How He TAUGHT
9a And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge;
How He THOUGHT
9b…yea, he gave good heed
How He SOUGHT
9c…yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.11c … which are given from one shepherd. 11 The words of the wise areas goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
What He FOUGHT
Ecclesiastes 12:12
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 AMP
12 But beyond this my son, [about going further than the words given by one Shepherd], be warned: the writing of many books is endless [so do not believe everything you read], and excessive study and devotion to books is wearying to the body.
The Preacher’s MESSAGE
We Should FEAR GOD!
Ecclesiastes 12:13
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
We Will FACE GOD
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
“I am going to Him whom my soul loveth, or rather who has loved me with an everlasting love, which is the sole ground of all my consolation.”
John Owen
“Lord Jesus, I am weary in thy work, but not of thy work. If I have not yet finished my course, let me go and speak for Thee once more in the fields, seal the truth, and come home to die.”
George Whitefield
“I know I am dying, but my death-bed is a bed of roses. I have no thorns planted upon my dying pillow, Heaven is already begun!”
John Pawson
“I see Heaven! Oh…I didn’t do it justice! I see JESUS! I didn’t do HIM justice!”
R.G.Lee
“I see from the number of physicians that you think my condition dangerous, but I thank GOD, if it is HIS will, that I am ready to go. It is the Lord’s day; my wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday. Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! “Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Let us cross the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”
General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
”Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go!” Moody’s son was standing at his bedside and said, “No, no father. You are dreaming.” “No, I am not dreaming! I have been within the gates: I have seen the children’s faces.” After a short time elapsed, Dr. Moody spoke once more, “This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!”
D.L. Moody
“Until this moment I thought there was neither a God nor a Hell. Now I know and feel that there are both, and I am doomed to perdition by the just judgment of the Almighty.”
Sir Thomas Scott
“What blood! What murders! I know not where I am. How will all this end? What shall I do? I am lost forever…I know it!“
Charles IX
Oh, Christ! Oh, Jesus! I must die abandoned by God and men. “I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I am worth, if you will give me six months of life.” The doctor replied, “Sir, you cannot even live six weeks.” Voltaire immediately answered, “Then I shall go to Hell, and you will go with me!”
Voltaire
“Devils are in the room ready to drag my soul down to Hell! It’s no use looking to Jesus now; it’s too late!”
Brown