The Preacher as Blacksmith I would rather be a blacksmith of the gospel than a diplomat of the gospel. The Blacksmith seeks transformation of the metal. This is his job. He brings down the hammer over and over. There is no coercing, no whimpering, and no compromise. He is not interested in other theories of how useless metal is made into a deadly sword. He knows what to do and he does it. The blacksmith is a man of passion. When he works, you know it. Sweat intermixed with yelling. He understands the importance of being strong. And he knows how to be strong. Do not take the blacksmith to be a stupid, blunt man with harsh words. There are many times when younger blacksmiths come to him with questions. He answers their questions with truth and love born out of a genuine desire to see them become better blacksmiths. Many do not like the blacksmith. This is because he is not a diplomat. And if the workshop forgets the reason for the workshop, they will replace him with someone else. He does not sip tea or call meetings to order. He stands up and brings down truth to make swords and to smash out imperfections in all swords. One day all these swords will be ready. There have been many blacksmiths before me and many after. As Spurgeon's father said of his son, "He may preach better than me, but he does not preach a better gospel than me." There is one last thing I would like to say. Whenever you watch the blacksmith in action, you will see his knees buckle every time he brings down the hammer. This is because the true blacksmith is not just hammering out your heart on the anvil with the Word of God, but his own heart as well.