“Have something to say which you are confident is worth saying; scarcely anything will contribute so much as this confidence, to give dignity, directness, ease and power to delivery” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 448).
Surveying the Text: Joshua
Introduction: The book of Joshua is a book filled with strenuous warfare, and yet the Bible clearly teaches us that it is a book that points toward rest. How is this possible? How does this work? The Text: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith …
Keep It True
“A preacher . . . should strive most earnestly to say nothing but what he now really thinks and now truly feels” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 446).
Unambiguous Instruction
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #171 “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man …
Surveying the Text: John
Introduction: The apostle John was overwhelmed by the vastness of Jesus Christ. This fourth gospel is a cosmic gospel, but with profound ramifications for us here on earth. It is cosmic, but it is in no way removed from us. No, the ultimate and divine Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The …
And Don’t Stare Either
“If you forget what you meant to say next, do not stop. Nothing is so awkward as a dead pause; and the awkwardness increases in geometric ratio to the seconds of time” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 443).
Can’t Pour From the Jug What Isn’t In It
“My earnest advice to you is that you never make the attempt to extemporize without being sure of your matter. Of all the defects of utterance I have ever known the most serious is having nothing to utter” (Alexander from Thoughts on Preaching, as quoted in Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 442).
Tongues as the Back of Our Hand
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) The Basket Case Chronicles #170 “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, …
Fire on the Head
In the famous episode of Elijah and the priests of Baal, it should be noted how dedicated the priests of Baal were. They built an altar, and danced around it for half of the day. When there was no fire from heaven, their dedication became more frenzied, and they began to leap on the altar …
Preach Like You’re Working
“The preacher should be careful of his health, not only on other accounts, but because speaking, real speaking, demands a high degree of nervous energy and power of endurance” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 439).