Author: Administrador

I delivered this address on August 26, 2008 to the 2008 Convocation of Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. As I was preparing it, an article was appearing in First Things: “The Death of Protestant America: A Political Theory of the Protestant Mainline” by Joseph Bottum. In it, Mr. Bottum, the editor of First Things, … Continue reading “Jackals Among Ruins”

Introduction: In this sermon for a church building dedication, the dedication of Solomon’s temple is used as an illustration for today’s local church. Use this sermon outline and illustrations for an upcoming building dedication.  (Note: This sermon was preached at the dedication service for a renovated sanctuary.) Many Christians are familiar with the words that … Continue reading “Building Dedication: A Place with Purpose (2 Chronicles 6:24-31; 7:12-14)”

Since 2003, John Ortberg has served as senior pastor of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, California. Prior to that, John spent nearly a decade as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. But most of us likely know John best from his best-selling books. Preaching editor Michael Duduit recently visited with … Continue reading “Preaching Through Their Defenses: An Interview with John Ortberg”

A young man went away to college, the first in his family to finish high school. His hardworking parents had never learned to read and were very proud of him. One day a letter came from their boy in college. Eager to get the news, the father waved down a neighbor on the road and … Continue reading “It’s All in How You Tell It”

I happened to go by the local library recently during “Story Time.” Some 20 or 30 preschoolers were there with their mothers and some fathers. These adults were trying to herd them into a bunch and get them seated on the floor near the woman who was to read to them. She sat down and … Continue reading “?Giving Voice to the Bible: Expository Scripture Reading”

Ralph Douglas West is the founding pastor of The Church Without Walls (Brookhollow Baptist Church) in Houston, which has grown over the past two decades from 32 members to more than 21,000. West will be one of the featured preachers at the 2009 National Conference on Preaching in Tampa, Florida. Recently he sat down with … Continue reading “Preaching Without Walls: An Interview with Ralph Douglas West”

Did you hear about the preacher who, mounting the pulpit, declared, “I have here the most amazing sermon on being humble that has ever been prepared and, frankly, I am not sure that you are worthy to hear it!” “They that know God will be humble,” John Flavel has said, “and they that know themselves … Continue reading “Indescribable Love! Indispensable Virtue!”

There once was a man who fussed and dreamed for a solemn and quiet place of rest beneath a tree. Alone with his sadness, the man fell into a deep sleep. When he awoke, the man slowly discovered he had slept for years. Life had gone on without him. He got up from his sleeping … Continue reading “Follow God’s Lead”

As Senator McCain and Governor Palin are to be nominated at the Republican convention (and I assume they still will be), the eyes of the nation are on a storm–not a political storm but a real one. As of this writing, Hurricane Gustav is just beginning to hurl itself against the already battered and worn … Continue reading “Storms Blow in that our Prayers May Go Up”

From the Editor: Word Power Articles: Keep Gospel and Politics Distinct Leader as Shepherd Illustrations: SacrificeLeadership Warning, Announcements Link of the Week Preacher’s Bookshelf Humor And Finally…  “The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.”(Lou Holtz)   Sign up now for a 1-year subscription to Preaching … Continue reading “PreachingNOW Vol. 7, No. 32”