Sermons and Biblical Studies

We are always finding a new stratagem to cover up that devil—temper! You never read anywhere that a man lost his temper. Instead, he “got upset.” You never read that a woman lost her temper. Instead, she “was aggravated.” But those expressions usually mean the person lost his or her temper—“flew off the handle,” “got mad.” … Continue reading “TEMPER:
ATTEMPTS TO EXCUSE”

The Bible was written in tears and to tears it will yield its best treasures. God has nothing to say to the frivolous man.… The psalmists often wrote in tears, the prophets could hardly conceal their heavyheartedness, and the apostle Paul in his otherwise joyous epistle to the Philippians broke into tears when he thought … Continue reading “TEARS;
PASTORS: BURDEN FOR PEOPLE”

Toward anything like thorough scholarship I make no claim. I am not an authority on any man’s teaching; I have never tried to be. I take my help where I find it and set my heart to graze where the pastures are greenest. Only one stipulation do I make: my teacher must know God, as … Continue reading “TEACHERS;
PASTORAL MINISTRY: NEED FOR SPIRITUAL REALITY”

When we have a revival and the blessing of God comes to us and we do get the help we need from God, those who make religion merely a Sunday garment won’t like it very well—in fact, they will be disturbed. From the biblical side, we will insist that they live right on Monday morning, … Continue reading “SUNDAY
CHRISTIANS; BIG SHOTS”

The Bible has a great deal to say about suffering and most of it is encouraging.… We cannot afford to neglect it, for whether we understand it or not we are going to experience some suffering. As human beings we cannot escape it. From the first cold shock that brings a howl of protest from … Continue reading “SUFFERING;
TRIALS: INEVITABILITY OF”

All great Christians have been wounded souls. It is strange what a wound will do to a man. Here’s a soldier who goes out to the battlefield. He is full of jokes and strength and self-assurance; then one day a piece of shrapnel tears through him and he falls, a whimpering, beaten, defeated man. Suddenly … Continue reading “SUFFERING;
SELF-ASSURANCE; HUMILITY”

Willingness to suffer for Jesus’ sake—this is what we have lost from the Christian church. We want our Easter to come without the necessity of a Good Friday. We forget that before the Redeemer could rise and sing among His brethren He must first bow His head and suffer among His brethren! We forget so … Continue reading “SUFFERING;
CROSS: PERSONAL; TRIALS: NECESSITY OF”

No man is worthy to succeed until he is willing to fail. No man is morally worthy of success in religious activities until he is willing that the honor of succeeding should go to another if God so wills. God may allow His servant to succeed when He has disciplined him to a point where … Continue reading “SUCCESS;
SERVANTHOOD; PASTORS: HUMILITY”

Success in any field is costly, but the man who will pay the price can have it. The concert pianist must become a slave to his instrument; four hours, five hours each day he must sit at the keyboard. The scientist must live for his work. The philosopher must devote himself to thought, the scholar … Continue reading “SUCCESS;
SACRIFICE; DISCIPLINE: PERSONAL”

In this world men are judged by their ability to do. They are rated according to the distance they have come up the hill of achievement. At the bottom is utter failure; at the top complete success, and between these two extremes the majority of civilized men sweat and struggle from youth to old age. … Continue reading “SUCCESS;
HAPPINESS”