When the soldier rammed his spear into the side of Jesus, blood and water came out (John 19:34). Though this is affected by the Johannine Comma, John appeared to think this highly significant, the Spirit, water, and blood being three witnesses on the earth (1 John 5:8). In any case, just as the first Adam …
Our Central Business
“The primary idea is that the discourse is a development of the text, an explanation, illustration, application of its teachings. Our business is to teach God’s word” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 39).
Wisdom From Above #3
INTRODUCTION:This passage contains the phrase that gives the title to this entire series of messages, the phrase “the wisdom from above.” But this wisdom from above is not an abstract set of rules. Never forget that our wisdom from above has a name, and His name is Jesus. He is the wisdom from above. THE …
Our Father Is the Model
This section of the Sermon on the Mount is all about giving and receiving, and it concludes with an exhortation to remember the Golden Rule. I just noticed this morning that our reason for doing so is that the Father embodies the Golden Rule. The Father does as He would be done by. “Ask, and …
Wisdom From Above #2
INTRODUCTION:The central issue for evangelical faith is always the presence or absence of life. Recall that in the previous chapter, God Himself is the one who brought us to life of His own will (1:18), and He is the one who sustains and nurtures us in that life. The issue is not rule-keeping, but life. …
Nature Learning Natural
“The danger of artificiality in speaking is very great . . . As one unaccustomed to riding on horseback must learn to sit naturally, and feel at ease, in the saddle, so very many speakers, perhaps all, have to learn to be natural” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 29).
Crowned With Blessing
“Now the things which ought most to be thought of by the preacher, are piety, and knowledge, and the blessing of God” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, p. 27).
No Rattle At All
We sometimes make the mistake of letting God define what is a sin and what isn’t, and then spending a lot of fruitless energy trying to come up with our own stratagems for dealing with those sins. But there are many places in Scripture where we are told, not only what to avoid, but how …
Homiletical Common Sense
“There will therefore be cases, and as regards some rules many cases, in which one may violate the rule and yet be really conforming to the principle, these being cases in which the principle would bend, and adapt itself to peculiar conditions, while the rule cannot bend” (Broadus, Preparation and Delivery, p. 26).
Wisdom From Above
INTRODUCTION:James, the Lord’s brother, wrote this remarkable letter. Some Christians have found it a little deficient in “gospel,” but this is largely the result of a deficient view of Scripture, coupled with a deficient view of the nature of the gospel. God’s gospel kindness to us is woven throughout the epistle. THE TEXT:James, a servant …