Do Not Judge a Minister . . .
Do not judge a minister by external appearances, but by the holiness, heavenliness, and spiritualness of their teaching.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of discerning the true value of a minister's teaching, urging listeners to focus on the spiritual depth and holiness of the message rather than superficial qualities like eloquence or popularity. He critiques the tendency of some preachers to prioritize entertaining rhetoric over the profound truths that enrich the soul. Brooks encourages believers to seek ministers who aim to transform hearts and lives through the power of the Spirit, rather than those who merely seek to impress with their words. Ultimately, he reminds us that true preaching should lead to a deeper faith rooted in God's power.
Text
"Consider carefully what you hear." Mark 4:24
It is sad to see how many preachers in our days, make
it their business to enrich men's heads with high, empty,
airy notions; instead of enriching their souls with saving
truths.
Fix yourself under that man's ministry, who makes it his
business, his work to enrich the soul, to win the soul, and
to build up the soul; not to tickle the ear, or please the
fancy. This age is full of such light, delirious souls--who
dislike everything--but what is empty and airy.
Do not judge a minister . . .
by his voice, nor
by the multitude who follow him, nor
by his affected tone, nor
by his rhetoric and flashes of wit;
but by the holiness, heavenliness, and spiritualness
of his teaching. Many ministers are like empty orators,
who have a flood of words--but a drop of matter.
Some preachers affect rhetorical strains; they seek abstrusities,
and love to hover and soar aloft in dark and cloudy expressions,
and so shoot their arrows over their hearers' heads--instead of
bettering their hearers' hearts. Mirthful things in a sermon
are only for men to gaze upon and admire. He is the best
preacher, not who tickles the ear--but who breaks the heart.
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and
persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's
power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom,
but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Sermon Outline
- Do Not Judge a Minister by External Appearance
- Avoid judging by voice, multitude, tone, or rhetoric
- Look for holiness, heavenliness, and spiritualness in teaching
Key Quotes
“Do not judge a minister by his voice, nor by the multitude who follow him, nor by his affected tone, nor by his rhetoric and flashes of wit;” — Thomas Brooks
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Be careful not to judge a minister by external factors, but look for spiritual quality in their teaching.
- A truly effective sermon is one that breaks the heart and convicts the soul, rather than simply entertaining or pleasing the fancy.
- Seek out ministers who prioritize spiritual growth and conviction over entertainment and rhetoric.