“Therefore, there is no religious use . . . in a sermon that merely discloses the minister’s opinion, but does not disclose the opinion of God. And there surely can be no use in a sermon that does not even disclose the minister’s opinion clearly” (T. David Gordon, Why Johnny Can’t Preach, p. 19).
Cool and Hot
“It is a worthy gift of God to be able to speak mildly and moderately so that our speech falls like dew upon the grass; but it is the fiery tongue that beats down sin and works sound grace in the heart” (Perkins, The Art of Prophesying, p. 169).
God Uses Strange Things
“This should teach us not to despise the sacraments, although the outward elements of bread, wine and water are weak and common and completely lifeless in themselves. Nor should we despise the ministry of the Word, although it is exercised by a weak man, as mortal and sinful as others. Since God can season the …
To Which An Appropriate Response is Not “Darn”
“If we look into the Scriptures we shall find God never called people into the state of grace or to any notable work or function in his church without first humbling them” (Perkins, The Art of Prophesying, p. 158).
Golden Words and Dead Lives
“If ministers are to see any fruit from their ministry, they must first sanctify themselves and cleanse their hearts by repentance before they presume to stand up to rebuke sin in others. Let them not think that their golden words will do as much good as their dead lives will do harm” (Perkins, The Art …
Dealing With Discouragement
INTRODUCTION:Although the occasions can be many, there are two basic reasons for discouragement—internal and external. The internal occurs when for some reason we have given way to sin, and the external occurs when we are buffeted by circumstances, as Job was, but without sin. And, of course, it is possible to get discouraged in both …
The Preacher Should Be As Composed as the Message
“If men who enter into this calling without fear and reverence are to be blamed, how much more faulty are those ministers who venture to preach or minister the holy sacraments without holy and private preparation and sanctification, and rush into them as though they were common, secular actions” (Perkins, The Art of Prophesying, p. …
Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight
“We have many occasions to be puffed up in self-conceit. We see ourselves grow in age, in degrees, in learning, in honour, in reputation and estimation. To many of us God gives an abundant supply of his gifts. But there are many temptation to allure us to pride and over-inflated opinions of our own value …
And You Get What You Pay For
“But especially now, under the gospel, the ministerial calling is poorly provided for, even although it deserves to be rewarded most of all. Certainly it would be an honourable Christian policy to make at least good provision for this calling, so that men of the worthiest gifts might be won for it. The lack of …
As He Is Also Here
When the Pharisees called out the disciples for plucking heads of grain on the sabbath, the Lord replied by appealing to what David had done with the bread of the Presence (Luke 6:4). This was not a small fuss over some arcane detail of sabbath law. The disciples were doing what David had done — …