Summary
family, courageous armies, a faithful council, loyal subjects, a peaceable world, and whatsoever things are desired of a man and of Caesar.' Again, 'We pray for emperors for their ministers and powers, for the state of the time, for the quietness of their affairs, and for the delaying of their death.' The Lord's Prayer covers these areas under six headings: God's glory, God's kingdom, and our obedience, the preservation of life, the forgiveness of sins, and the strengthening of the spirit.
2. The form of prayer should be as follows: One voice, that of the minister alone, should lead in prayer, the congregation joining in silently but indicating their agreement at the end by saying, 'Amen'
(Neh. 8:6; Acts 4:24; 1 Cor. 14:16). This was the practice in the early church, as Justin says: 'When the president has finished his prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present cry out with a favourable approbation, saying, Amen.'
3. But the one voice which expresses the corporate prayers of the congregation needs to be understood (1 Cor. 14:15). It should not lead in prayer in a jagged and abrupt fashion, but with a steady flow of petitions, so that empty repetitions are avoided (Matt. 6:7).
4. There are three elements in praying: (i) Carefully thinking about the appropriate content for prayer; (ii) Setting the themes in an appropriate order; (iii) Expressing the prayer so that it is made in public in a way that is edifying for the congregation.
To the Triune God be the glory!
SUMMARY Preaching involves:
1. Reading the text clearly from the canonical Scriptures.
2. Explaining the meaning of it, once it has been read, in the light of the Scriptures themselves.
3. Gathering a few profitable points of doctrine from the natural sense of the passage.
4. If the preacher is suitably gifted, applying the doctrines thus explained to the life and practice of the congregation in straightforward, plain speech.
The heart of the matter is this:
Preach one Christ, by Christ, to the praise of Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria To God alone be the glory!
Table of Contents Preface Introduction Chapter 1 - The Art of Prophecy Chapter 2 - The Word of God Chapter 3 - The Contents of Scripture Chapter 4 - The Interpretation of Scripture
Chapter 5 - Principles for Expounding Scripture Chapter 6 - Rightly Handling the Word of God
Chapter 7 - Use and Application
Chapter 8 - Varieties of Application Chapter 9 - The Use of the Memory Chapter 10 - Preaching the Word Chapter 11 - Public Prayer Summary