Sermons and Biblical Studies

I do not wish to draw too close a parallel between conditions under Ahaz and conditions in the churches today, but every enlightened soul can see how we languish for fearless leaders and bold reformers who will dare to pass holy judgment upon the unscriptural goings on that are being substituted for New Testament Christianity … Continue reading “PASTORS:
PROPHETIC MINISTRY; BOLDNESS”

We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message … Continue reading “PASTORS:
PROPHETIC MINISTRY”

But the aspiring prophet soon learns that a call from God is not sufficient; he must secure the approval of the senior prophets of the Presbytery before he can hope to make his voice heard in any Presbyterian pulpit in the land; and that approval is not an easy thing to obtain. The Presbyterian Church … Continue reading “PASTORS:
ORDINATION; PASTORAL MINISTRY: SIGNIFICANCE”

Another trap into which the preacher is in danger of falling is that he may do what comes naturally and just take it easy. I know how ticklish this matter is and, while my writing this will not win me friends, I hope it may influence people in the right direction. It is easy for … Continue reading “PASTORS:
LAZINESS; DISCIPLINE: PERSONAL”

The tests for spiritual genuineness are two: First, the leader must be a good man and full of the Holy Ghost. Christianity is nothing if not moral. No tricks of theology, no demonstrations of supernatural wonders, no evidences of blind devotion on the part of the public can decide whether or not God is in … Continue reading “PASTORS:
INTEGRITY; PASTORAL MINISTRY: NEED FOR SPIRITUAL REALITY”

I expect to so live and so preach that people can bring their friends to my church and assure them they can believe what they hear from my pulpit. I may be wrong sometimes, but I want always to be honest. 1 Samuel 12:3–4; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 7:2 Faith Beyond Reason, 48.

The tendency to make a mere front of religion is strongest among persons engaged in professional Christian service, such as pastors, evangelists, teachers, Sunday school workers and those who write, edit, publish and promote religion generally. The Christian worker must be always ready to lead in public prayer or to offer a “word of prayer” … Continue reading “PASTORS:
INTEGRITY; FALSE FRONT; PASTORAL MINISTRY: NEED FOR SPIRITUAL REALITY”

The minister himself should simply carry into the pulpit on Sunday the same spirit that has characterized him all week long. He should not need to adopt another voice nor speak in a different tone. The subject matter would necessarily differ from that of his ordinary conversation, but the mood and attitude expressed in his … Continue reading “PASTORS:
INTEGRITY”

Now, in confession, may I assure you that a Christian clergyman cannot follow any other route to spiritual victory and daily blessing than that which is prescribed so plainly in the Word of God. It is one thing for a minister to choose a powerful text, expound it and preach from it—it is quite something … Continue reading “PASTORS:
HUMILITY; PASTORS: COMMITMENT”

Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet—not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver … Continue reading “PASTORS:
COMMITMENT; HUMBLE SERVICE; PRAYERS”