As I have been preaching through 2 Samuel, I have pointed to what I regarded as a reverse type of Christ, which was the death of Absalom. You have two sons of David, one faithless and the other faithful (thus “reverse”), but who both died hanging on a tree, both pierced by a soldier, and …
Strangers in Your Midst
Introduction: From the beginning, the Christian faith has been at home in cosmopolitan settings. This has worked in two basic ways. One is when God’s people are living together in a way that truly honors God, and He blesses their land. When this happens, others are attracted to that blessing, and they want to come …
Don’t Outrun Your Own Headlights
“If the preacher is greatly excited at the outset, the audience usually are not, and he had better restrain himself, so as not to get beyond the range of their sympathies” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 255).
One Is Quite Enough
“The introduction should generally consist of a single thought; we do not want a porch to a porch” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 254).
Showing Without Showing Off
“Beauty and eloquence should be added to make things even more clear, not more impressive” (Galli & Larson, Preaching That Connects, p. 144).
Don’t Circle the Airport
“It’s especially frustrating for a congregation to hear a second finally” (Galli & Larson, Preaching That Connects, p. 129).
Begin Well
“In all preaching, let there be a good introduction, or none at all” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 250).
Preach Eternity, Don’t Illustrate It
“Sermons also have slow- and fast-paced elements. To listeners a five-minute story runs, while a five-minute definition crawls” (Galli & Larson, Preaching That Connects, p. 118).
That Sounds Reasonable
“‘What is the best way,’ asked a young preacher of an older one, ‘to get the attention of the congregation?’ ‘Give ’em something to attend to,’ was the gruff reply” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 249).
Losing a Regained Grip
Introduction We saw in the previous chapter that the death of Absalom was a reverse type of the death of the great son of David. We will see in this chapter another set of related contrasts—the attitude and response of the respective fathers involved. The Text: “And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth …