Genesis 3:15 as a Test Case* Abstract: Evangelical scholars have championed grammatical-historical interpretation as an objective means of sifting truth from error. This approach has value if we use it as one focus, but limitations if we use it as a total account. The temptation arises to think of objective interpretation as implying total domination [...]
Preaching
The Benefits of Expository Preaching
What is Expository Preaching? Expository preaching involves the exposition, or comprehensive explanation, of the Scripture; that is, expository preaching presents the meaning and intent of a biblical text, providing commentary and examples to make the passage clear and understandable. The word exposition is related to the word expose — the expository preacher’s goal is simply [...]
The Necessity of the Spirit to Give Effect to the Preaching of the Gospel by Thomas Chalmers
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” ~ 1 Cor. 2:4-5 PAUL, in his second epistle to the Corinthians, has expressed himself [...]
Why Doctrinal Preaching Declines by Arthur W. Pink
‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.‘ 2 Timothy 2:15 ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [...]
What is Reformed Experimental Preaching? by Joel R. Beeke
‘And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.‘ 2 Kings 22:10-11 ‘So they read in the book [...]
What is it to Preach the Gospel? by Charles Spurgeon
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! — 1 Corinthians 9:16 The greatest man of apostolic times was the apostle Paul — no question about that. Paul was the greatest man in everything [...]
The Place of Reprobation in the Preaching of the Gospel by Herman C. Hoeksema
The subject of this pamphlet is not an easy one, but it is of great importance for those who love the Reformed truth. A Reformed person thinks and lives theologically. For him it is of greatest importance to know His God as He has revealed Himself in His works and Word. He understands perfectly that [...]
Some General Observations Concerning Preaching, and Especially Application by James Durham
The following is one of the digressions which James Durham added into his Commentary upon the Book of Revelation. The text is from the Glasgow edition of 1788, pp. 275-282. It was originally published after the author’s death in 1659. Having now gone through these epistles, we may see how wisely and seriously our Lord [...]
Richard Baxter – A Corrective for Reformed Preachers by Edward Donnelly
Why Baxter? His theology was not entirely sound. His desire to promote church unity sometimes betrayed him into seeking common cause with those who were far removed from the biblical faith. Although an able controversialist, he confesses: ‘I am too much inclined to such words in controversial writings which are too keen, and apt to [...]
Reformed Preaching and its Need Today by A. D. McIntosh
Fathers and Brethren, the subject to which I wish to draw your attention this evening is: Reformed Preaching and Its Need To-day. The content of Reformed Preaching is Calvinistic teaching, and Calvinistic teaching is Covenant teaching, and Covenant teaching systematically sets forth Scripture truth. It is tragically true that the inseparable doctrines of grace, set [...]
Preparations for the Christian Ministry – Habits of General Study by Charles Bridges
‘GIVE attendance to reading’ is the Scriptural rule for Ministerial study. It is obviously of a general character; nor is there any reason for restricting its application to the Sacred Volume. ‘Paul the aged,’ in sending for his ‘books and parchments,’ (which, it may be presumed, he wanted for perusal) exemplified the comprehensive extent of [...]
Preparations for the Christian Ministry – Special Study of the Scriptures by Charles Bridges
THE connection of this section with the preceding, is peculiarly important. Habits of General study, however well regulated and perseveringly maintained, will reflect no light or spiritual apprehension of the Gospel, independent of the special study of the sacred volume. Nor is it sufficient merely to combine these courses of study. Their connection is not [...]
Preparations for the Christian Ministry – Habits of Special Prayer by Charles Bridges
LUTHER long since has said-’Prayer, meditation, and temptation, make a Minister.’ No one will hesitate to admit the importance of the first of these qualifications, who has ever realized the weight of Ministerial responsibility, who has been led to know that his ‘sufficiency is of God,’ and that prayer is the appointed channel of heavenly [...]
Preparations for the Christian Ministry – Employment in the Cure for Souls by Charles Bridges
“EXERCISE thyself unto godliness”–was one of the wise rules of the Apostle to his beloved son, for the course of his Ministry; a rule, which bears with most important application to the noviciate. Its connection with the rule of study in the succeeding context is worthy of remark. “Giving attendance to reading,” without active energy, [...]
Preaching: The Man by Geoff Thomas
I have chosen to speak on preaching under these three headings, the Man, the Message and the Method. If preaching is not a divine activity it is nothing at all. When Paul writes about it he says, ‘We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us’ (2 Cor.5:20). These men [...]
Preaching: The Message by Geoff Thomas
Having begun with ‘The Man’ we now turn to ‘The Message,’ and it’s the message that concerned Christians long to hear everywhere today. I had been in the ministry a couple of years and was preaching in a Bible Rally on a holiday Monday in Stow in the Wold, about sixty miles from London I [...]
Preaching: The Method by Geoff Thomas
I want to present to you seven-fold beginners’ methodology to the true work of the ministry. 1. The work of the ministry will only be achieved by unfeigned belief in the truthfulness of the Bible. There is nothing for the preacher more fundamental than the principle that a thing is true if Jesus Christ says [...]
Preaching That Hinders Revival by Richard Owen Roberts
Repentance must always begin in the house of God. Doubtless the best place for it to start is with those of us who preach. Let us examine some errors of preaching that stand in the way of revival. Preaching That is Man-Centered. All of us, by our very natures, are lovers of self more than [...]
Preaching God’s Word by William Gouge
How Preaching May be Called ‘The Word of God’ The subject matter to be preached is here called ‘the word of God.’ Although that which is spoken by ministers is only the sound of a man’s voice, yet that which true ministers of God preach in exercising their ministerial function is the word of God. [...]
Gospel Preaching Commanded by Arthur W. Pink
There are those who misrepresent the doctrine of election in this way: Here I am sitting down at my table tonight with my family to tea. It is a cold winter’s night, and outside on the street are some hungry starving tramps and children, and they come and knock at my door and they say, [...]
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures: The Need for Expository Preaching by Tom Ascol
American evangelicals need to be honest. Despite all of the great accomplishments that we tout, all of our incredible resources and all of our imposing statistics, we have made very little impact on our world and culture. In fact, just the opposite is true. The world has had far greater influence on our churches than [...]
A Little More Exposition – A Little Less Exhibition by John W. Weidert
I remember growing-up in a good Baptist church. The church building was small, but we had a good pastor and faithful members who had a heart for our community. Our church grew and we purchased a building from the Lutheran church in town. They had built a building their ministry couldn’t afford. (Sounds like many [...]
