“Manly persons are disgusted, and suspect hypocrisy when they hear a preacher talking molasses. Let us be bold and outspoken, and never address our hearers as if we were asking a favour of them, or as if they would oblige the Redeemer by allowing Him to save them. We are bound to be lowly, but …
The Sins of Seven Nations/Amos 2
INTRODUCTION: As we work out way through the book of Amos, we have to remember the two great themes—the violence of oppressive cruelty and the abandonment of right worship. The prophet Amos requires us to reject all those who embrace either sin. These are the two great themes of this prophet of God. THE TEXT: …
Pentecost Message
The message last Lord’s Day (Pentecost) was on the Spirit’s work in the world. If you want to follow a line of argument that draws attention to the Lord’s declared intention to redeem and restore this world, check out the this year’s Easter message, Ascension Day message, and this Pentecost message.
Speaking of Non-Evangelistic Calvinists . . .
“A system which cannot touch the outside world, but must leave arousing and converting work to others, whom it judges to be unsound, writes its own condemnation” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 343).
Pathos Is No Fallacy
“They require not so much reasoning as heart-argument — which is logic set on fire . . . argument must be quickened into persuasion by the living warmth of love. Cold logic has its force, but when made red hot with affection the power of tender argument is inconceivable . . . When passionate zeal …
The Spirit Groans
INTRODUCTION: On Pentecost Sunday, we rejoice in the fact that the Comforter has been given, poured out upon us, so that the world might be prepared for the final consummation. This is a central role of the Spirit in the world, and it ties in directly with the purposes of God for this world that …
Powder Without Shot
“The best way to preach sinners to Christ is to preach Christ to sinners. Exhortations, entreaties, and beseechings, if not accompanied with sound instruction, are like firing off powder without shot.” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, p. 341).
No Vague Generalities
“Let him never treat sin as though it were a trifle, or a misfortune, but let him set it forth as exceeding sinful. Let him go into particulars, not superficially glancing at evil in the gross, but mentioning various sins in detail, especially those most current at the time” (Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, …
Comes With the Territory
“Public men must expect public criticism, and as the public cannot be regarded as infallible, public men may expect to be criticized in a way that is neither fair nor pleasant. To all honest and just remarkds we are bound to give due measure of heed, but to the bitter verdict of prejudice, the frivolous …
And This Was True Even Before the Internet
“Would it not be a great degradation of your office if you were to keep an army of spies in your pay to collect information as to all that your people said of you? And yet it amounts to this if you allow certain busybodies to bring you all the gossip of the place. Drive …