Posts Tagged ‘preaching’
I really don’t want to preach
Question: Dear Sir, Firstly, I would like to thank you for all your time and effort to put up all this material. I have been reading your questions and answers for a while now, and it helps a lot. It has come a time now, that I would write to you concerning an issue I…
Read MoreCulture Wars
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Culture-Wars.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11 I. Some questions are hard to answer A. Not because the Bible is unclear on the subject B. But because there is a strong cultural bias against the correct answer C. Example of idolatry 1. We have no difficulties denouncing idol worship today 2. Even non-Christians understand that an idol is worthless…
Read MoreI want to apologize for using your lessons without giving credit
Question: Good morning, I have used some of your sermon outlines and it was pointed out to me that I was not giving the authors of the sermons credit. I sometimes tweak them and sometimes have just followed the outline. I have been accused of plagiarism for doing this. That was not my intention. I…
Read MoreAn Unlikely Candidate
by George Slover “Then Ananias answered, ˜Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:13-14). The initial reaction of Ananias to God’s instructions to preach…
Read MoreRules for Preaching
by James Madison Mathes (1808-1892) The Christian Record, Vol. 3, 1845 Use the mother speech and tone, without affectation or imitation of any man, that you may not seem to act a comedy, instead of preaching a sermon. Clog not your memory too much, it will exceedingly hinder invention and mar delivery. Be sure you…
Read MoreSo, What’s a Good Sermon?
by Jefferson David Tant Out of all the thousands of sermons preachers have delivered and to which people have listened, how would we determine which sermons are good, which are bad, or which are so-so? I would suppose that even preachers evaluate themselves from time to time, and on occasion might conclude, “Well, I’ll never…
Read MoreBalance in Sound Preaching
by Dudley Spears One of the definitions of balance is, “A harmonious satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.” Paul wrote the Philippians, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). Preaching sound doctrine…
Read MoreWhat Shall I Do?
by Jefferson David Tant One undeniable certainty of life is that it is full of choices. What time to get up in the morning, what clothes to wear, what food to eat, what car to buy, who to marry, what occupation to pursue, what friends to choose. All of them have consequences. And of course,…
Read MoreTaking Advantage of Personal Contacts
by Jefferson David Tant The day was hot, and they walked a long distance. They were passing through unfamiliar territory among people of a different culture, and some were possibly nervous. By now it was noon, and the sun was beating down. At last, a resting place ahead – a well. The group left their…
Read MorePreaching and Performance
by Doy Moyer There is a difference between preaching and performance. This is not to say good preaching does not involve solid delivery or shouldn’t use any aids. It is to say there is a difference in focus, and the preacher does well to understand this. Performance aims at the mechanics. It can come across…
Read MoreCookie Cutter Evangelism
by David Weaks I often find myself wondering: “Why are brethren not baptizing more people? Why aren’t the numbers of people requesting baptism (Acts 8:36) commensurate with the amount of labor that Christians spend in soul-winning?” I have found that most preachers confess the same nagging concerns. Is successful evangelism a question of method only,…
Read MorePulpit or Personal
by Jefferson David Tant So, what do I mean by the title “Pulpit or Personal?” It has to do with the preacher’s challenge to preach the gospel. Obviously, there are different ways by which we can shine the light of the gospel into a world full of darkness. We can publicly preach from the pulpit,…
Read MoreBe a Barnabas
by Jefferson David Tant We are familiar with Paul’s companion in some of his travels. He is first mentioned in Acts 4:36: “Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement).” What a great description of Paul’s brother and companion. He is next…
Read MoreThe Aim of Preaching
by Frank Himmel Churches that are all about numbers gladly alter their activities to accommodate popular demand. While music usually gets special attention, preaching is no less targeted. Perhaps it would be timely to remind us all what God intends preaching to accomplish. Preaching is to Instruct In His wisdom, God arranged things so the…
Read MoreWhat do you think about accepting donations for teaching on the Internet?
Question: Hi, I’m a student and also preach the gospel when given the opportunity. I read your site often and I trust you to give the truth in a time when I sometimes feel that many congregations are straying from the original New Testament form. That is why I am contacting you. I graduated with…
Read MoreI Thought About Quitting
by Terry Wane Benton I was feeling discouraged and beat down. I was losing heart, but I turned to John 6:68 and asked, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Suddenly my mind shifted into serious reflection about what would abandoning my faith in Jesus do for me? Would…
Read MoreBe an Example (Tant)
by Jefferson David Tant Paul’s letters to young Timothy, his son in the gospel, and Titus, are filled with good thoughts concerning their work as those who spread and proclaim the gospel. Among Paul’s exhortation are two passages we want to consider in today’s article. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather…
Read MoreWhat is your experience with marketing your church?
Question: Hi, I am forming a team to explore how to market our church. We are only 5 years old and have about 60 members. We have a thin website and a members-only Facebook page. Please share your lessons learned on marketing your church. Thank you. Answer: We don’t have a church. We belong to…
Read MoreThe Reality of Unreason
by Matthew W. Bassford One of the most fascinating exchanges in the New Testament appears toward the end of Paul’s defense before the Jerusalem mob, in Acts 22:17-21. The incident that Paul relates took place shortly after his conversion, after he had fled from Damascus and returned to Jerusalem, still preaching the gospel. While he…
Read MoreMeet the Preacher
by Danny Dodd You may know us, but then again you may not. Preachers have a way of hiding behind the pulpit. We can easily be stereotyped. Through experience, we often learn to become very guarded and protective of our hearts and homes. Paradoxically though we often feel obligated to give even more of ourselves…
Read MoreA Good Sermon
by Terry Wane Benton A sermon is good if it is scripturally full and accurate because all scripture is good (II Timothy 3:16-17). The delivery may be lacking in some way because of human weakness both on the delivery end and on the receiving end. That always needs constant attention on giving the best effort,…
Read MoreWhat are some practical ways to spread the gospel?
Question: Good morning Brother Hamilton, I’d like to design a flyer to distribute in my hometown to inform people about our congregation. We live in a rural area that has numerous churches, and many of the churches of Christ are institutional. The few non-institutional congregations are small and shrinking. Your website’s home page is a…
Read MoreGrowing Deeper
by Ken Green “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me” (Psalm 42:7). The 17-18th century Scottish novelist, playwright, and poet, Sir Walter Scott wrote of the Bible: “The most learned, acute and diligent student cannot, in the longest life, obtain an entire knowledge…
Read MoreEvangelism Motivators
by Jefferson David Tant Adapted from Clarence Fell Evangelism is essential for growth. If we don’t do the work then no work gets done. Unfortunately, our attitude is not always good toward evangelism. We get tired and discouraged because we see little success in our efforts. Then the devil steps in and starts whispering, “What’s…
Read MoreIs it scriptural for one congregation to invite another congregation for evangelism?
Question: Dear Brother, Is it scriptural for one congregation to invite another congregation for evangelism? I look forward to your response. Thanks in anticipation. Answer: I’m puzzled about what exactly is the concern. “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,…
Read MoreWhat Is a Good Minister?
by Jefferson David Tant adapted from an article by Ken Weliever “He’s a good preacher,” is often used to describe various gospel preachers. But what makes a good preacher? How would you define one? Is he a great orator? Can he captivate the audience? Does he preach soothing words? Can he preach without offending anyone?…
Read MoreThe Greater Progress of the Gospel
by Doy Moyer One of the highlights of Paul’s attitude is that he was always more concerned for the spread of the gospel than for his own personal agenda or safety. He was willing to die for the Lord if it meant that the gospel would be proclaimed and more would be saved. He expresses…
Read MoreTruth Is Not Geographically Convenient
by Perry Hall I’m not a fan of “Field of Dreams Evangelism.” That is, “Let’s build a church building on the other side of town to make it easier for people to come to church.” In other words, “If we build it, they will come.” Good intentions, but I doubt much evangelism will take place…
Read MoreI Have Fought a Good Fight
by J. D. Tant (1861-1941) Sixty years have come and gone. I hope and pray that long after I cross the great divide, hundreds will read my sermons, be taught the way of life, and take up their cross and follow Jesus. I am leaving this bit of history that others may know that life…
Read MoreSo You Want to be a Preacher?
by Jefferson David Tant There is no more noble aspiration than to be a servant of the Most High God in seeking the lost and encouraging the saved. After more than 65 years of engaging in this labor of love, please allow me to share some perspectives from my viewpoint. With my father and grandfather…
Read MoreMeasuring Acceptability
by Whit Sasser In II Corinthians 8:12 we read, “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” This principle of God’s word is to be respected, as well as all others. Sadly, there seem to be many areas…
Read MoreAre You Discouraged?
by Jefferson David Tant Whit Sasser, a friend who preaches up in Appleton, Wisconsin, recently had a short piece in the church’s weekly bulletin titled “Measuring Acceptability.” His good comments have encouraged me to add some thoughts of my own, as well as to build on some writing I have done on the matter of…
Read MoreDon’t Throw Your Heart to Dogs
by Raymond Gonzalez Sentry Magazine, March 2001 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6). Not in my wildest dreams as a babe in Christ, did I think to apply this proverb to brethren. The wording…
Read MoreWorking with the Smaller Groups
by Mike Davis Since 1975, God has blessed me to work “full time” with His children and to seek and save the lost. During these several years, God has permitted me to speak the gospel to large crowds (the most was over 200 at one time), and to speak the gospel in several states other…
Read More“Go Ye” Means “Go Me”
by Jefferson David Tant This is written with some reluctance. I feel as Paul must have felt as he tried to make a point to help his readers. “Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little” (II…
Read MoreThe Wisdom of Winning Souls
by Charles N. Spence, Jr. Sentry Magazine, December 2000 and March 2001 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). How does winning souls demonstrate wisdom? When Christians involve themselves in this task, they understand that they are doing that which the Lord has…
Read MoreAnd Then I Prayed
by Forrest D. Moyer Sentry Magazine, March 2002 I really thought there were material things in this life that were important. I saw people living in luxurious furnishings. I saw their fine cars and their exclusive clothing. That seemed important, for a moment at least. Then I saw something else. I saw that so many…
Read MoreGod’s Distribution Plan
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Gods-Distribution-Plan.mp3 Text: I Corinthians 1:18-31 I. God promised a kingdom that would never fall A. Daniel 7:13-14 – One that would never be destroyed B. Not so with human kingdoms 1. Every empire of the past has collapsed at some point 2. It has been noted that democracies tend not to last more than 200 years or so 3. People…
Read MoreWhose Job Is It to Help Wash?
by Jefferson David Tant And just what job am I writing about? Washing cars? Washing dishes? No, I”m writing about something infinitely more important than earthly tasks. I”m writing about “washing souls.” Paul wrote in Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men …” We are aware that “Christ…
Read MoreNegativism
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 2002 I have always sought to write so as to be understood. My friend James Needham, however, frequently published his stated desire to write so clearly that one cannot be misunderstood. I didn’t always appreciate the wisdom of the advice but did admire its clarity. James may well have had…
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