Sermons and Biblical Studies

In our world are dozens of different kinds of Christianities. Certainly many of them do not seem to be busy and joyful in proclaiming the unique glories of Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God. Some brands of Christianity will tell you very quickly that they are just trying to do a little bit … Continue reading “DIALOGUE”

Maintenance of the devotional mood is indispensable to success in the Christian life. Holiness and power are not qualities that can be once received and thereafter forgotten as one might wind a clock or take a vitamin pill. The world is too much with us, not to mention the flesh and the devil, and every … Continue reading “DEVOTIONAL
MOOD”

One of the purest souls ever to live on this fallen planet was Nicholas Herman, that simplehearted Christian, known throughout the world as Brother Lawrence.… He spent his long life walking in the presence of His Lord, and when he came to die there was no need for any particular change in his occupation. At … Continue reading “DEVOTION
TO GOD; DEATH: TRIUMPH IN”

One of the old Baptist missionary societies had as its symbol an ox quietly standing between a plow and an altar. Underneath was the legend: “Ready for either or for both!” Plow, if that be God’s will. Die on the altar, if that be God’s will. Plow awhile, and then die on the altar. I … Continue reading “DEVOTION
TO GOD”

The work of a minister is, in fine, altogether too difficult for any man. He is driven to God for wisdom. He must seek the mind of Christ and throw himself on the Holy Spirit for spiritual power and mental acumen equal to the task. Jeremiah 9:23–24; 1 Corinthians 15:9–10; 2 Corinthians 3:5–6; Philippians 2:12–13 … Continue reading “DEPENDENCE
ON GOD; PASTORAL MINISTRY: DEPENDENCE ON GOD”

It is itself a cliche that the Christian faith is full of apparent self-contradictions commonly called paradoxes. One such paradox is the necessity to repudiate self and depend wholly upon God while at the same time having complete confidence in our own ability to receive and know and understand with the faculties God Himself has … Continue reading “DEPENDENCE
ON GOD; CONFIDENCE”

The root of dependability is dead in most churches, except for a faithful few, and these few have to take abuse from the unfaithful, undependable ones. The faithful few can always be depended upon and are always in evidence, so they are criticized for wanting to run the show. Now, I want to ask you … Continue reading “DEPENDABILITY”

I almost shrink from hearing the expression, “the deeper life,” because so many people want to talk about it as a topic—but no one seems to want to know and love God for Himself! God is the deeper life! Jesus Christ Himself is the deeper life, and as I plunge on into the knowledge of … Continue reading “DEEPER
LIFE; KNOWLEDGE OF GOD: SPIRITUAL DEPTH”

You’d like to have a deeper life that could be given to you with a syringe or a glass of water and a pill. “Take one pill three times a day.” You just can’t do that. But that is the way some people get their religion. They want it in pill form, so they buy … Continue reading “DEEPER
LIFE; DISCIPLESHIP”

To speak of the “deeper life” is not to speak of anything deeper than simple New Testament religion. Rather it is to insist that believers explore the depth of the Christian evangel for those riches it surely contains but which we are as surely missing. The “deeper life” is deeper only because the average Christian … Continue reading “DEEPER
LIFE; CURRENT CONDITIONS: SHALLOWNESS”