What is the gospel? Part 2

In keeping with Part 1 of this thread, and with much thanks to "amos" for locating it, I would like to share another of Bro. Jake's writings. In the context of "what is the gospel?", the right preaching of it is of as equal and eternal importance as knowing the content. Consider Bro. Jake's observations:

Look yonder at that man in the pulpit. He is not comely, not much a sight to behold. His suit is not well pressed nor his shoes well shined. His hair as well as his skinned is weathered after years of toiling as to provide for his family. Shake his hand and you wonder if it is lined with sandpaper. If in an affectionate moment he were to share an embrace, you might be left with the impression that you embraced a pole of iron.

His grammar is not always correct. He would be the first to tell you that he is no expert in the Greek and Hebrew languages, though his knowledge of both exceeds that of most of those trained in the seminaries. His voice is booming, but he never shouts. His accent is pronounced, but his words are never garbled. Listen but for a moment, and even the fool recognizes the passion in his voice. Listen for a while, and you realize that wisdom has come to rest in the breast of this man. The Sovereignty of God and the exaltation of Christ are the clear template and subject of every sermon he preaches, yet you will never hear the same sermon twice. He has more knowledge concerning Soteriology and Eschatology than any man that I know, yet has the ability to teach so that the simple-minded can grasp that which beforehand seemed out of reach. To many who are blessed to call him preacher, the most painful part of his preaching is the conclusion, for you hope that he will preach for just a few minutes more. You'll never see him stand at the front of a church pleading for people to come forward and ‘give’ their heart to Jesus. The preaching of the gospel is the invitation to the souls of men, and this preacher has the patience to wait upon the LORD to do the work that He must do to save a sinner.

He could have long ago moved on to greener pastures and to a more ‘thriving area’. Yet for two decades he has tended the ‘little flock’ that GOD has entrusted to him. While we could have always have given him more(and we have tried), he has always pointed out the fact that GOD has always blessed him; Oh he isn't so prideful that he is beyond receiving help when he needs it, but he would much rather help someone else. Our offerings have always been a private matter, but in a church as small as ours, it is really no secret that preacher gives more to the missionary that we support than we give him.

He has never been heavy handed, but has always been stern. He has never been outspoken, but has always chosen his words wisely. Arrogance breeds more of the same, humility chases it away. True leaders don't have to ask men to follow. It is amazing how quickly men will yield to honesty. When problems arise, our pastor has never asked us ‘What do you think we should do?’ He calmly says, ‘What saith the scriptures?’ To date, the scripture has brought us to every solution.

He has never preached to large audiences or ‘packed’ houses. No convention or denomination has ever recognized his achievements or lauded him with praises. He is not a household name and he doesn't get invited to be the guest speaker at conferences and seminars. The parish preachers look down their noses at him, and some have gossiped fiercely about him being a ‘hard shell Calvinist.’ He has never responded in anger or argued with any and has lived his life amongst all in this community in a quiet, peaceful, Christ-like manner.

Look yonder in the pulpit. For the man you see on the LORD’s day, rightfully dividing the word of truth, will display the same countenance and character tomorrow morning and the next day. The humility displayed, that is not feigned. The love that he radiates, that is no counterfeit. He has taught me as much about being Christ-like on Monday as he has on Sunday. I pray daily that the LORD would conform me to the image of His dear son. And I also ask that he would let me be like my preacher.

Jake