Daily Encouragementنموونە

So the apostles set out the essentials of their ministry. These are the same for those in the apostolic succession today. They are not “priests” - except as participants in “the priesthood of all believers” - but they are instead preachers, missionaries and ministers of the word.

The priority is put on prayer. Spurgeon said, “the preacher is above all others a man of prayer. He prays as an ordinary Christian, else he were a hypocrite. He prays more than an ordinary Christian, else he were disqualified for the office he has undertaken.” This prayer is secret and taxing. Charles Simeon maintained that it was “more easy for a minister to preach and study for five hours than to pray for his people one half hour.”

The ministry of the word is the chief task. The greatest have given themselves to it. Jowett’s biographer writes, “All his energies, spiritual, mental, nervous and physical were concentrated on preaching and preparation for preaching . . . he scorned delights and lived laborious days to perfect himself for his high calling.” And it has been their first love. Samuel Chadwick said, I would rather preach than do anything else I know in this world . . . I would rather preach than eat my dinner, or have a holiday, or anything else the world can offer.”