J P Lilley on
the Lord’s Supper
Usually
after I have preached on a theme or topic, or even on a particular passage, I
follow up after the sermon by reading some new material that has not been part
of my preparation. Too often when we
read in preparation we are mining for ideas, quotes and illustrations to use in
our sermons and we actually fail to benefit fully from what we are reading.
It
is also good to read widely on theological issues and that does not necessarily
mean only reading the latest and most cutting edge writings. Too many pastors
think that they know a topic when they have merely read a recently published,
watered down and popular book or a couple of books on that issue. Far better to
return to an issue frequently, to return to the seminal and classical works on
that topic and to see this as part of a life-long process of learning and
maturing our understanding. This is not the same as “always learning and never
able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim 3:7) It means building on a
commitment to truth and in my case building on a confessional commitment to
Reformed orthodoxy.
So
after preaching last Lord’s Day at communion on Matthew 26:27-28 I refreshed
myself by turning to a work by an author that I had never previously read.
James Philip Lilley (1845-1931) was pastor at the (United) Free Church of
Scotland, Knox Church, Arbroath, 1874-1918. A ministry that length was not
without its trials and early in his ministry (1880) there was an acrimonious divorce
from his wife. Lilley was exonerated by
his presbytery and continued to faithfully serve the congregation for a total of
44 years, producing a number of excellent evangelical theological works and
translations. These publications included: The Gospel of God; The Lord’s
Supper; The Lord’s Day and the Lord’s Servants; The Principles of
Protestantism;Your Comforter: Chapters for the Young on the Work of the Holy
Spirit;The Pathway of Light; The Pastoral Epistles; and various translations
from the Dutch of several of Andrew Murray’s Works.
I
turned to “The Lord's Supper; a Biblical Exposition of its Origin, Nature, and
Use” (1891). What a rich source of inspirational teaching from a book that I
personally have never seen mentioned or recommended. A forgotten gem! Of course Dr Lilley uses the
rather florid language if the 19th century, but the core content is
excellent, thought provoking and challenging. Setting forward a Calvinistic and
richly experiential perspective on the Lord’s Supper, it well repays the
reading.
What
is interesting is that although I did not read it as preparation for preaching, it nevertheless made me want to preach its contents and share its insights.
The
book is available free for download:
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