I hear many well-meaning, well-intentioned people say things like, “I don’t have to share the gospel, I will just let my life speak for me.” I have heard an ancient preacher (I have no idea who actually said this) quoted as saying, “Wherever you go, preach the gospel. When necessary, use words.” If you think about it, this one of the most absurd claims ever made. We don’t do that with anything else, do we? With anything else that excites us... Read more
Hopefully, you don’t preach just to hear yourself talk. You want to influence those who listen to you. You preach because you’re called, and you’re called in order to make an eternal impact. Therefore, you don’t want to give a nice “talk” that people aren’t challenged to do anything with and forget about on their way to lunch at the Cracker Barrel. You want to invite them to respond. You want to give an opportunity for your hearers to react... Read more
In effort to explain the difference between doing things for God (in order to get Him to like us) and doing things with Him (because He is with us and for us and loves us already), I talked about planning for a wedding anniversary. [Full disclosure: I got the idea from a different version of this shared by John Piper years ago. I have no idea which sermon or I would link to it here.] It went something like this…... Read more
Sure. You want to exegete and explain the text. Sure. You want the people in the pew to know and trust that you have done your homework. Sure. You want to put to good use the tools you learned at seminary. Sure. There are big theological words that you want to make sure your congregation understands. Sure. You want to communicate what a phrase means “in the original.” Sure. You want an eloquent four-pointer that alliterates. I get it. I... Read more
Recently, I preached through a series of messages entitled “Living Sent.” One of the messages had to do with the reality that we do or don’t live to make disciples of Jesus based on our identity, security and purpose. Another way to say it is that believing in who we are and resting in whose we are compels us to risk everything so that others know the incredible love of God for us in Jesus. You can listen to the... Read more
Every preacher is different. But every preacher should have a routine leading up to the preaching event. A habitual Sunday morning routine helps remove anxiety, prevent additional distractions, and adds confidence. Having a routine on Sunday morning is like a ritual you perform to be mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically prepared when its time to open your Bible before your congregation. In addition, getting up early and accomplishing things helps you both feel and be successful. Tim Ferris, who has... Read more
Sheep and shepherds are word pictures used throughout both Old and New Testaments. If you preach the Bible long enough, you are guaranteed to talk about how clueless sheep are and how all of us are in such desperate need of the Good Shepherd. (more…) Read more
Recently I was struck by a word Jesus used several times throughout the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. The word used in English translations is understanding. Those who hear the word and understand it are those who produce a multiplying crop. Those who understand have good soil so the seed can take root. On the other hand, those who hear the word and do not understand are like seed that falls on the hard path. What struck me was... Read more
God has called me to preach to church people—those church people who think they know the God of the Bible but, honestly, haven’t really encountered Him yet. They love a good sermon and teach a good Sunday School lesson, but rarely get blown away with the biblical God. I am called by God to change that. Several events in my life brought me to this. (more…) Read more
I try to get my hands on anything Eugene Peterson writes. I love his style. I love how real he is. He is old and therefore wise. And he is one of the most loving pastors I have ever read. The second I saw he had a new book coming out, I told Amazon to pre-order it so I could have it in my hands the moment it was released. I had no idea it was a book of 49... Read more
Churched
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