Many people do not know what expository preaching is. Dr. Donald Campbell, president of Dallas Theological Seminary, recalled some early advice he received while a youth minister in a small Texas town. His pastor said to his young apprentice, “Son, there are two types of sermons: topical and suppository!”1066
PREACHING, CONTENT OF
A preacher once confided to his head deacon that he was troubled by how few of the church members showed up for any given service. The deacon, a faithful farmhand who never missed a service, reflected on the years he had listened to his preacher’s long-winded sermons and then replied: “Well, Preacher, if you pour … Continue reading “PREACHING, CONTENT OF”
PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY
“Little of the Word with little prayer is death to the spiritual life. Much of the Word with little prayer gives a sickly life. Much prayer with little of the Word gives emotional life. But a full measure of both the Word and prayer each day gives a healthy and powerful life” (Attributed to Andrew … Continue reading “PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY”
PRAYER, UNANSWERED
A young boy saw a pack of cigarettes on the ground and decided to try them. He went to a field near his home and, after several fumbling attempts, got one to light up. It didn’t taste good; indeed, it burned his throat and made him cough. But it made him feel very grown up. … Continue reading “PRAYER, UNANSWERED”
PRAYER, POWER OF
Prayer moves the hand that moves the world!1042 Prayer is the only omnipotence God grants to us.1043 “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up … Continue reading “PRAYER, POWER OF”
PRAYER, PERSEVERANCE IN
A woman left her diamond brooch in a hotel. When she got home she remembered her brooch and called the hotel. She told the manager what happened and he went to look for it. He found it, put it in the safe, and returned to the phone to tell her the good news, but she … Continue reading “PRAYER, PERSEVERANCE IN”
PRAYER, NEED FOR
Many view God only as a kind of heavenly genie, ready when you rub the lamp of prayer to appear and say, “Yes, master; what do you want me to do?” But God is not like that. God is sovereign. God moves according to his own purposes, and he does not play games with us. … Continue reading “PRAYER, NEED FOR”
PRAYER, LENGTH OF
A man who prays much in private will make short prayers in public!1031
PRAYER, IMPORTANCE OF
D. E. Host, the man who took over for Hudson Taylor, wrote a book titled Behind the Ranges. He was trying to analyze a problem he had seen while working in two different villages in China. The people with whom he lived and worked were not doing very well. But the people in the other … Continue reading “PRAYER, IMPORTANCE OF”
PRAYER, HUMOROUS
A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers with his mother: “Lord, bless Mommy and Daddy, and God, GIVE ME A NEW BICYCLE!!!” Mom: “God’s not deaf, son.” Boy: “I know, Mom, but Grandma’s in the next room, and she’s hard of hearing!”1026 A boy, age six, was invited by a friend to have dinner. … Continue reading “PRAYER, HUMOROUS”