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  GREEK AND HEBREW
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: A holy minister's primary goal is to bring glory to God, not to
impress with eloquence or external qualities.

Topics: "Glory Of God", "Plainness in Preaching"
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 2:4

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes that a holy minister's primary aim should be
the glory of God, avoiding any display of personal excellence that might
overshadow divine glory. He argues for the importance of plainness in
preaching, asserting that true power comes from the Spirit rather than
human wisdom. Brooks cites Mr. Dod's view that excessive use of Greek
and Hebrew in sermons can lead to fleshly ostentation, advocating
instead for clear and straightforward doctrine that effectively informs
and transforms the heart. He concludes that the most impactful sermons
are those that prioritize simplicity and spiritual depth over
intellectual complexity.

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CONTENT
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A holy minister aims at the glory of God in all that he does.

He labors to hide and conceal all his human excellencies,

which may in any way tend to obscure, eclipse, or darken

the glory of God.

"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

Mr. Dod was accustomed to say that "so much Greek and

Hebrew in a sermon--was so much fleshly ostentation

in a sermon!" When men come to pulpit-work, all plainness

must be used. Starched oratory may tickle the brain--but

it is plain doctrine . . .

which informs the judgment,

which convinces the conscience,

which bows the will, and

which wins the heart.

That sermon has most learning in it--which has most

plainness in it. And therefore a great scholar was

accustomed to say, "Lord, give me learning enough

that I may preach plain enough."

Silly, ignorant people are very apt to dote upon that most,

and admire that most--which they understand least! But

prudent Christians judge of ministers . . .

not by their throats--but by their hearts and lives;

not by their voices and tones--but by the plainness,

spiritualness, suitableness, and usefulness of their matter.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/greek-and-hebrew/
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