Travelling in Scotland in the seventeenth century, an English merchant made an interesting entry in his journal. ‘’In St. Andrews I heard a tall, stately man preach, and he showed me the majesty of God. I afterwards heard a little fair man preach, and he showed me the loveliness of Christ. I then went to Irvine, where I heard preach a well-favoured, proper old man, with a long beard, and that man showed me all my heart.’’ Those who were familiar with that era and places have suggested that the preachers were Robert Blair, Samuel Rutherford, and David Dickson respectively. Of critical importance are the effects those three preachers had on the merchant, because they help us to discern the components of an effective preaching.
“Any preaching that does not reflect the majesty of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the state of man’s heart is far from the true gospel.”
One way or another, every sermon should push in the direction of revealing the majesty of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the state of man’s heart. Talking of the majesty of God, the psalmist has this to say: “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.” (Psalms 19:1-2 NKJV). The majesty of God describes His creative genius. Beyond this, His majesty will cover His reserved wrath for those who disobey the gospel. The loveliness of Christ will address the good works which Christ wrought on earth, culminating in His death on the Cross. His loveliness still makes Him intercede for us presently. Finally, the state of man’s heart will remain deplorable unless Christ’s work of atonement is applied to it. Any preaching that does not reflect the majesty of God, the loveliness of Christ, and the state of man’s heart is far from the true gospel.
