The Character and Teaching of Christ's Ministers
C. Clayton, M. A. Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. I. THEIR CHARACTER. To be a "pastor after God's heart," a man must not only theoretically understand, but practically feel the truths he sets forth in his teaching. How describe the burden of a guilty conscience, if he has never felt it himself? How expatiate on the love and unfold the preciousness of a Saviour, whilst himself still out of Christ? How exhort hearers to set affections on things above, when his own thoughts are entirely absorbed by things below? II. THEIR TEACHING. What they have found to be, by God's blessing, useful to themselves, they will bring before their people. They will not daub the wall with untempered mortar, crying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace; but, will "cry aloud and lift up their voice like a trumpet," to warn the unconverted of their danger, and convince them of their guilt. Nor will they show the disease without, at the same time, declaring the remedy. They will prove to their hearers their numberless shortcomings, in order that they may be led the more highly to prize the Saviour's merits. Conclusion — 1. Seek the increase of such pastors. 2. Help to provide for such pastors. (C. Clayton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. WEB: I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.