Faking Church
– Dan Schaeffer. Barbour. The author invites us to do a no holes barred examination of our hearts, to ask questions we aren’t accustomed to asking ourselves and to explore our motives. The book addresses the common traps that believers fall into that cause us to be fakes. 2ProphetU2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by
Cracking the DaVinci Code
– Simon Cox. Barnes and Noble Books. This book is called the “Unauthorized Guide to the Facts Behind Dan Brown’s Bestselling Novel.” A simple A-Z format that separates fact from fiction. Only for the reader who is obsessed with this book and is dealing with it in a sermon series. 2ProphetU2ProphetU is an online magazine/website,
A Jonathan Edwards Reader
– Edited by John E. Smith, Harry S. Stout, and Kenneth P. Minkema. Yale University Press. This paperback anthology includes selected treatises, sermons and autobiographical material from one of America’s greatest minds. 2ProphetU2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by Warren Wiersbe and Michael Catt, to build up the church, seek revival, and encourage pastors.
A Great Gulf Fixed
Sermons on the Rich Man and Lazarus – Brownlow North. The Banner of Truth Trust. North lived from 1810-1875. These are sermons preached to thousands in Ulster. Titles include: Earthly Suffering Not Salvation; How the Beggar Became Rich; How the Rich Man Became Poor; The Poor Rich Man; He Prays; God the Only Hearer of
60 Simple Secrets Every Pastor Should Know
– Dave Stone. Rick Rusaw, Group. Divided into ten sections including: Everyday Life in the Church; The Minister’s Family; Pastoral Care; Preaching and Teaching; Reaching Out; Timesaving and Efficiency; Church Management; Leadership; Personal and Spiritual Growth and Professional Development. It is simple and practical and a good investment for a young pastor or someone preparing
Breath of God
Is there anything in life that is as sweet and precious as a newborn baby’s breath? To a new parent, the touch of their breath against your hand, your face, or your neck brings such a peaceful assurance. Their breath is an awesome reminder of the responsibility just placed into our hands. In those first
The Church: A Non-Prophet Organization?
Many ministers of my generation were raised on a spicy diet of fire-and-brimstone preaching. Years ago, some preachers could describe hell so fearsomely, that people in the pews would begin to tremble, then burst out to repent at the altar right during the preaching. Congregations simply expected their pastor to preach like a prophet from
Climb Up Sunshine Mountain
Climb climb up Sunshine Mountain, faces all aglow. Why does the writer of this passage choose the term climb? Most likely it is the author’s view of the Christian life that has influenced the choice. This writer’s view of the Christian life is progressive — that it is moving upward and is best represented by
Be Careful of Living in the Past
I love music, all kinds of music. I like classical, oldies, country, Christian, rock and roll, jazz, blues and any other brand you can name. I find myself putting a hold on my channel surfing when I come across one of those Infomercials from Time Life on the hits from the 60’s. I love watching
Maturity
(taken from Building Christian Unity, pg. 30-32) Principle #3: The body matures as each member ministers. “According to the effective working by which every part does its share” (Eph. 4:16). Are you doing your share? Each of us has a ministry to fulfill in building the Body of Christ. Are you doing your part? Remember,
Seven Non-Negotiables
by Dennis Rainey Seek God – Not SinAmos 5:4, 6, 14Amos 5:4 says it plainly: “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, ‘seek me that you may live.’” True life is not found in the pleasures or pursuits of this world, but in God alone. Fear God – Not MenProv. 19:23; Matt.
Great sermons take place when flint strikes steel. When the flint of a person’s problem strikes the steel of the Word of God, you get a spark, and the spark with burn. Some sermons are too “flinty”: they’re all problem and not much Scripture. Others are all steel and no flint: they are strong on the Bible but stop short of challenging people’s lives. What we want is some combination of the eternal Word of God striking people where they live. Preachers who can do that have a better chance of reaching the audience today and in years to come. – Haddon Robinson (in Reformed Worship, June 1996, page 17)
Not a little preaching is much more imposition than exposition. – W. Graham Scroggie (#11, Mar. 4, 1957)
My job is not to try to make the Bible relevant; I show them them how relevant it is. That’s not picking at words. Relevance comes from the text itself. In the final analysis, “Thus says the Lord” speaks for itself.
One of my mentors used to say two things that I still remember to this day: You haven’t given the gospel until you’ve given people something to believe, and you haven’t truly preached Christ until you have mentioned by name the cross of Christ. That’s convicting. – Charles Swindoll
O sirs, how plainly, how closely, how earnestly, should we deliver a message of such moment as ours, when the everlasting life or everlasting death of our fellow-men is involved in it! …there [is] nothing more unsuitable to such a business, than to be slight and dull. What! Speak coldly for God, and for men’s salvation? Can we believe that our people must be converted or condemned, and yet speak in a drowsy tone? In the name of God, brethren, labour to awaken your own hearts, before you go to the pulpit, that you may be fit to awaken the hearts of sinners…Oh, speak not one cold or careless word about so great a business as heaven or hell. Whatever you do, let the people see that you are in good earnest…A sermon full of mere words, how neatly soever it be composed, while it wants the light of evidence, and the life of zeal, is but an image or a well-dressed carcass. – Richard Baxter in The Reformed Pastor (1656); abridged edition (1829).
The foolishness of preaching has been replaced by the fine art of telling funny stories. The compulsion to soul-winning has been replaced by the compulsion to promote denominational programs. Means and methods may stand in direct opposition to God’s will and way. Let us not revert to nonspiritual means to carry out God’s will. – Donald Wilton, evangelist and professor of preaching, New Orleans Seminary
To be always relevant, you have to say things which are eternal. – Simone Weil
Psychologists tell us that all people perceive change as loss. Preachers are asking people to change their attitudes, their lifestyle, and how they spend their money. One of the first questions people ask is, “What will I lose as a result of this change?” – Bruce Larson
It has been said that good expository preaching contains three elements: explanation, illustration, and application. It has also been said that this preaching appeals to three areas: the intellect, emotions, and will. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 sums these elements as follows: “As ye know how we exhorted (intellect) and comforted (emotions) and charged (will) every one of you,…” Does anyone have any further thoughts on these concepts? – Calvin Miller
Each time I go into the pulpit I go as if it were my first time, as if it could be my best time and as if it might be my last time. – Vance Havner
If you don’t have a reference point, there is no use talking. My reference point is the Bible. Be open minded. The Bible doesn’t argue the existence of God, it proves the existence of God. – Billy Graham
I’ve heard a lot of sermons in the past 10 years or so that make me want to get up and walk out. They’re secular, psychological, self-help sermons. Friendly, but of no use. They didn’t make you straighten up. They didn’t give you anything hard…At some point and in some way, a sermon has to direct people toward the death of Christ and the campaign that God has waged over the centuries to get our attention. – Garrison Keillor
Preaching