I have written before on the spectacle of Christians suing Christians, but the phenomenon is common enough that we really need to continue to discuss it in an ongoing way. To recap, the apostle doesn’t prohibit Christians adjudicating disputes in civil court, but rather prohibits it before unbelieving civil courts. The issue is testimony before …
I Suppose You Could Put It Like That
“He must employ the rhetoric which Jael used upon Sisera, putting his nail to the head of his auditor, and driving it sheer and clear through his brain” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 252).
The Road Goes Both Ways
“No man can cultivate and employ a vigorous, direct, and forcible rhetoric, without finding that he is driven to solid and earnest themes, in order to originate, and sustain it” (Shedd, Homiletic and Pastoral Theology, p. 251).
Clarity Goes With Clarity
“Clear, evangelical ideas favor lucid, earnest style” (Shedd, Homiletic and Pastoral Theology, p. 250).
Aeneas, Anarchy, and America #1
Introduction: This short series of messages can be considered as what used to be called “artillery sermons.” The custom (and the name) began in England in the first half of the 17th century, where military groups invited ministers to come and preach to them. In our colonial period, ministers used to preach such sermons prior …
Real Reform
“That minister . . . whose preaching results in the actual conversion of human beings, contributes far more, in the long run, to the progress of society, literature, art, science, and civilization, than he does, who, neglecting these themes of sin and grace, makes a direct effort from the pulpit to ‘elevate society’” (Shedd, Homiletics …
Spontaneous and True
“When the clergy shall dare to speak to the people, with extemporaneous boldness, out of a full heart, full head, and clear mind, we may expect . . .” divine blessing (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 244).
And Gave Gifts to Men
Introduction: As our congregation has grown and developed, our form of government has grown more defined along with it. To a certain extent, once we get used to it, we just function the way we function. But whenever we alter something, it generates questions that should always be answered from the Scriptures. Or other times …
Some of Them Two
“Hence, the language he did use is full of meaning; as one said, ‘every word weighs a pound’” (Shedd, Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, p. 238).
Cremation and Burial
Introduction: Part of living together is learning to deal with the fact of death. In the early years of our congregation, we had almost no funerals. The reason we had few funerals in the early days of the church is that we were all babies. Now we have had a number of funerals, and given …