Author: Administrador

Those who know me have heard me say many times, “Context is everything.” We never experience anything outside of context. Most would agree that Scripture as a whole has an overriding context. With few exceptions the Bible was written for the Jews or the church that emerged from Judaism. Each passage of Scripture has the … Continue reading “What We Expect from Our Sermons”

Writing and teaching in the field of homiletics has focused predominantly on getting the text right (exegesis), getting the style right (rhetoric) and most importantly getting God right (theology). These are, no doubt, essential concerns and skills for effective preaching, but something is missing. The preaching event involves not only God, the preacher and the … Continue reading “Connecting with More Listeners”

To teach and preach the gospel to those who are unbelievers with a view to their conversion is an awesome privilege. In my study I keep the following quote from A Quest for Godliness by J.I. Packer: “If one preaches the Bible biblically, one cannot help preaching the gospel all the time, and every sermon will … Continue reading “Steps to Effective Evangelistic Preaching”

Average. Mediocre. Run-of-the-mill. Those aren’t terms you would want applied to your life or your work, are they? In fact, I bet they diametrically oppose the fire you had in your heart when you were called into ministry. Though you wouldn’t want to admit any association with average thinking or mediocrity, you may have felt … Continue reading “Why Average Is Dangerous-and How to Move from Mediocrity to Meaning in Your Life and Ministry”

The canonicity of the Bible and the Bible canon form a topic you don’t hear much about. Yet the canonicity of Scripture is a very important part of bibliology, the doctrine or study of the Bible. The word canon is from the ancient world and basically means “a rule or standard.” It referred to a … Continue reading “Expositor’s Corner: Canonicity and Culture”

In a sermon, David Jeremiah—a cancer survivor—presented a hypothetical case: “What if an oncologist examined a patient and said to him, ‘Your blood pressure is perfect and your cholesterol is at an acceptable level. Your skin is healthy and your reflexes are good. Have a good day.’ “Then suppose the patient left and the nurse … Continue reading “Too Much Pastel Preaching?”

In an issue of his Ministry Toolbox newsletter, Rick Warren talked about the importance of application preaching and shares his own application acrostic. Warren writes: “I ask 12 questions related to the text. Is there an Attitude to adjust?Is there a Promise to claim?Is there a Priority to change?Is there a Lesson to learn?Is there … Continue reading “The Application Acrostic”

Given that this past Sunday was Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is around the corner, it seems appropriate to offer these definitions used by experienced parents: AMNESIA: condition that enables a woman who has gone through labor to have kids again. DEFENSE: what you’d better have around the yard if you’re going to let the … Continue reading “Speak Like a Parent”

A Seattle policeman made an amazing shot—right into the barrel of the revolver being aimed at him. According to a story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, an 18-year-old man—reportedly recently released from a substance abuse center—already had been involved in at least two fights when police confronted him at a bus stop and the man pulled … Continue reading “And Finally: A Smoking Gun”

Former Secretary of the Interior Morris F. Udall lost an eye in an accident when he was 6 years old. Children would tease him cruelly about the eye. In self-defense he started poking fun at himself. He learned early to compensate for that lost eye by working harder than other kids. In his junior and … Continue reading “Adversity as Catalyst for Greatness”