Principles from the life of a great friend

My friend Glen Melin went to be with the Lord two weeks ago.

I wrote down some lessons I learned from him about the pastorate, particularly the preaching part.

1. You always start with God, who is perfectly holy, just, and most importantly revealed to be the Triune God of love in Jesus Christ.
2. You remember that the Bible is a progressive revelation, but always preach Jesus Christ.
3. You pay meticulous attention to the Scripture and if you do not know the original languages, learn them. (He finished his fourth semester of Greek in the Spring)
4. The Bible is made up of literary works, so pay attention to the genre and history of the books.
5. Preach both aspects of God's gospel. Forgiveness for the penalty of sin and freedom from the power of sin.
6. Do not make a ministry that caters to young, hip, flaky people, but to all peoples and stick with them, that's how needs are met.
7. Preach the process of sanctification in a simple fashion so people understand it, but do not fail to preach the content of the scripture when it does not fit your simplified process.
8. Always pray for God's people.
9. Respect, tenderness, and compassion really are virtues, not quaint ideas.