As we prepare ourselves to hear the marriage vows exchanged just a few moments from now, everyone here in the congregation should make a point to reflect on several important aspects of this solemn and joyful occasion. The first aspect is that many of us here in this sanctuary are married, and so this is …
Bedrock Discipleship: Bible Reading
Introduction Many of you were kind enough to fill out the survey on Bible reading that we sent out to the congregation. The results were of a nature to delight a pastor’s heart—which they certainly did. About ninety percent of you read the Bible either daily or multiple times weekly. That’s a good business, and …
Little Flock, Big Kingdom
We are gathered here as a portion of the Lord’s little flock. His flock universal is a little flock, and we are just a small part of that. But what is His purpose for that little flock? He says this: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the …
A Mind to Work
We are continuing to meditate on the task of building a sanctuary in our new location. As we do this, we want to make sure we identify all the basic principles that are involved. One of them is the nature of work. Nehemiah once had what could be considered an impossible task, rebuilding the walls …
Understanding the Will
This was originally published in Antithesis, Vol. II, No. 4, July/Aug 1991 Free will. Who could be against it? But there is a better question than this to ask. Free will. What is it? Many of the staunchest advocates of “free will” encounter immediate difficulties when they are asked to explain what they defend — …
Let Out the Clutch
“Whatever truth a sermon may present to the mind, it should not end without aiming to bring about some practical result, some corresponding determination of the will, state of the affections, or course of action” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 280).
With Food
“The imagination of every man and woman has an appetite and must be fed” (Wiersbe, Preaching and Teaching With Imagination, p. 31).
On Not Petering Out
“The conclusion ought to have moved like a river, growing in volume and power, but instead of that, the discourse loses itself in some great marsh, or ends like the emptying of a pitcher, with a few poor drops and dregs” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 278).
Most of What We Do We Mostly Can’t Do
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #145 “If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am …
Like Eggs in the Batter
“The approach is purely cosmetic. It sees imagination as skill in decorating the cake with no thought given to improving the recipe. Imagination in preaching is not a new technique to be learned but a radical new attitude and outlook to be cultivated” (Wiersbe, Preaching and Teaching With Imagination, p. 27).