Kevin DeYoung shares four qualities essential to good preaching:
1. Veracity – This is the more crucial quality. Without this your preaching is not faithful. It may attract a crowd. It may win you applause. But it will not be good. Christian preaching must first of all be true–true to the text, true to the whole counsel of God, true in whatever else you say or cite. A seminary student or lay elder or new pastor may not be the most comfortable or the most gifted behind the pulpit, but so long as he says what is true and biblical, God can use that preaching.
2. Clarity – Truth is first, but if you say what is true but don’t say it so people can understand you, it isn’t worth much. Clarity means we pay attention to the structure, the flow, the pace, and the length of our sermons. Clarity doesn’t mean the congregation must remember your three points, but they should know what the text was about and what you were trying to say. If your pastor is true and clear, rejoice! You have more than many congregations.
3. Authority – This quality is easily abused, but without it you are left with a fine sounding lecture. Remember, what surprised the crowds most about Jesus’ teaching was that he spoke with authority (Matt. 7:28-29). Good preaching sounds forth with certainty, not because the preacher is infallible, but because God speaks through him, making claims on people’s lives, declaring the truth with boldness, taking courageous stands where others cower in fear.
4. Authenticity – This is the hardest quality to describe and it takes the longest to acquire.....Does your unique personality come through in preaching? Are you comfortable in your own skin? Do you have a connection with the congregation? Does your preaching sound like someone talking about the gospel or calling people to believe the gospel? Are you an advocate for Christ or a witness to Christ? Is there, to use John Murray’s phrase, personal, passionate, pleading in your preaching? This is what I mean by authenticity.
Veracity is a non-negotiable. After that, work hard at clarity. Then pray for Spirit-anointed authority. And finally, stick with preaching for at least five years and you’ll start to grow in authenticity."
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/02/09/the-four-indispensable-qualities-of-good-preaching/
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Standard Bearers Should Encounter Tough Grace!
"Christianity Today" posted a great article regarding sexual standards for Pastors and other roles that are divinely designed to be standard bearers for God's people.
Personally, I am more than fatigued with the "compromised compassiontes" who are willing to extend unprincipled mercy and all to eager to pervert biblical grace when leaders are caught or exposed for committing sexual sin.
You will note that I took the liberty to underline certain points. Refreshing indeeeed!
rgh
"...among Christians, consistent enforcement constantly butts heads with grace. How do we apply grace to pastors, teachers, and others whose calling involves modeling the Christian life for those younger and still very much in formation?
Often when institutions exercise discipline, someone cries, "I thought Christianity was all about grace!"
Grace does not always, everywhere, and immediately mean wiping the slate clean. Communities need to take into account the impact that leaders' misbehavior has on others. To express the comprehensiveness of God's grace, institutional forgiveness of an offender must also focus pastoral support on the wounded and betrayed.
We apply grace differently to students and others whose lives are, by definition,
still in development. We rightly expect Christian faculty and clergy to model the Christian life."
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/february/toughgracesexstandards.html?start=2
Personally, I am more than fatigued with the "compromised compassiontes" who are willing to extend unprincipled mercy and all to eager to pervert biblical grace when leaders are caught or exposed for committing sexual sin.
You will note that I took the liberty to underline certain points. Refreshing indeeeed!
rgh
"...among Christians, consistent enforcement constantly butts heads with grace. How do we apply grace to pastors, teachers, and others whose calling involves modeling the Christian life for those younger and still very much in formation?
Often when institutions exercise discipline, someone cries, "I thought Christianity was all about grace!"
Grace does not always, everywhere, and immediately mean wiping the slate clean. Communities need to take into account the impact that leaders' misbehavior has on others. To express the comprehensiveness of God's grace, institutional forgiveness of an offender must also focus pastoral support on the wounded and betrayed.
We apply grace differently to students and others whose lives are, by definition,
still in development. We rightly expect Christian faculty and clergy to model the Christian life."
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/february/toughgracesexstandards.html?start=2
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Do You Despise Authority?
This is a very timely article posted by Adrian Warnock today.
Surely our journey together has provided ample opportunity
to see the reality of how easy it is for a minister to be guilty
of this most besetting sin within our own stream.
With that in mind, along with the caution of this article, may we
adhere to the Apostle Paul's admonition to remain mutually
submitted to one another my brothers!
rgh
"It is very easy to despise authority without even realizing that you are doing so. Especially living in our modern world which emphasizes independence and being a “self-made man”.
In the quote below which follows a crucial verse that stresses the importance of leadership, Spurgeon says it well. A self-made man is a failure by definition. Maybe you are a pastor yourself, and your immediate response to this is to say “Amen, my people really should listen to me more!”
But I ask you, who are you following? One of the greatest perils of evangelical church structures is that we have removed the concept of a single global pope, and replaced it with a myriad of mini-popes.
Each of us can have a tendency to think that we have all the answers and we do not need to listen to anyone else. Are you at the top of a pyramid? Is there no one who you are submitted to? Do you see no need to learn from another?
Then, with the respect that is due your office, I urge you to beware. For I fear that you are in a perilous position. Could it be that one of the reasons for the terrible statistics surrounding pastors resigning their ministry is simply that they were never meant to walk alone?
Like many today, I react strongly against some of the formal, institutional structures that denominations bring. But, the solution to the ills of denoninationalism is not independence. God has designed us for inter-dependence and to be first a follower before we expect others to follow us."
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;
and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7
"Some, under the pretence of being taught of the Spirit of God, refuse to be instructed by books or by living men. This is no honoring of the Spirit of God. It is disrespect to Him, for if He gives to some of His servants more light than to others—and it is clear He does—then they are bound to give that light to others, and to use it for the good of the church. But if the other part of the church refuse to receive that light, to what end did the Spirit of God give it? This would imply that there is a mistake somewhere in the economy of God’s gifts and graces, which is managed by the Holy Spirit."
—Charles Spurgeon, Words of Counsel for Christian Workers (Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1985), pp. 112–113. cited in John Piper, A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1997), 182.
http://adrianwarnock.com/2011/02/do-you-despise-authority/?
Surely our journey together has provided ample opportunity
to see the reality of how easy it is for a minister to be guilty
of this most besetting sin within our own stream.
With that in mind, along with the caution of this article, may we
adhere to the Apostle Paul's admonition to remain mutually
submitted to one another my brothers!
rgh
"It is very easy to despise authority without even realizing that you are doing so. Especially living in our modern world which emphasizes independence and being a “self-made man”.
In the quote below which follows a crucial verse that stresses the importance of leadership, Spurgeon says it well. A self-made man is a failure by definition. Maybe you are a pastor yourself, and your immediate response to this is to say “Amen, my people really should listen to me more!”
But I ask you, who are you following? One of the greatest perils of evangelical church structures is that we have removed the concept of a single global pope, and replaced it with a myriad of mini-popes.
Each of us can have a tendency to think that we have all the answers and we do not need to listen to anyone else. Are you at the top of a pyramid? Is there no one who you are submitted to? Do you see no need to learn from another?
Then, with the respect that is due your office, I urge you to beware. For I fear that you are in a perilous position. Could it be that one of the reasons for the terrible statistics surrounding pastors resigning their ministry is simply that they were never meant to walk alone?
Like many today, I react strongly against some of the formal, institutional structures that denominations bring. But, the solution to the ills of denoninationalism is not independence. God has designed us for inter-dependence and to be first a follower before we expect others to follow us."
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;
and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7
"Some, under the pretence of being taught of the Spirit of God, refuse to be instructed by books or by living men. This is no honoring of the Spirit of God. It is disrespect to Him, for if He gives to some of His servants more light than to others—and it is clear He does—then they are bound to give that light to others, and to use it for the good of the church. But if the other part of the church refuse to receive that light, to what end did the Spirit of God give it? This would imply that there is a mistake somewhere in the economy of God’s gifts and graces, which is managed by the Holy Spirit."
—Charles Spurgeon, Words of Counsel for Christian Workers (Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1985), pp. 112–113. cited in John Piper, A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1997), 182.
http://adrianwarnock.com/2011/02/do-you-despise-authority/?
Monday, January 31, 2011
God Grant Us To Lead From An Honest Heart!
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord
counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:2
An honest heart is a post from: Ray Ortlund
We cannot deceive God. Twice in the Acts God is called “the Heartknower” (Acts 1:24; 15:8).
But we can deceive ourselves.
Here are four differences between deceit and honesty in our hearts.
One, a deceitful heart doesn’t know its sin because it doesn’t want to know.
But an honest heart is saying, “Bring it on.”
Two, a deceitful heart notices how well a sermon applies to someone else...
But an honest heart is too concerned about itself to judge another..
Three, a deceitful heart, when it isn’t growing, blames its inertia on hardship
or its church or even on God himself. But an honest heart says, “It’s my fault.
I need to get in gear.”
Four, a deceitful heart delays response. It says, “I’ll get around to it, even soon.
But I can’t right now.” An honest heart puts God first. Delayed obedience is a way
of saying, “I’m setting the terms. I am Lord.” But an honest heart says, “Lord,
whatever you want – right now.”
An honest heart says,with the old hymn,
The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only thee.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2011/01/31/an-honest-heart/
counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:2
An honest heart is a post from: Ray Ortlund
We cannot deceive God. Twice in the Acts God is called “the Heartknower” (Acts 1:24; 15:8).
But we can deceive ourselves.
Here are four differences between deceit and honesty in our hearts.
One, a deceitful heart doesn’t know its sin because it doesn’t want to know.
But an honest heart is saying, “Bring it on.”
Two, a deceitful heart notices how well a sermon applies to someone else...
But an honest heart is too concerned about itself to judge another..
Three, a deceitful heart, when it isn’t growing, blames its inertia on hardship
or its church or even on God himself. But an honest heart says, “It’s my fault.
I need to get in gear.”
Four, a deceitful heart delays response. It says, “I’ll get around to it, even soon.
But I can’t right now.” An honest heart puts God first. Delayed obedience is a way
of saying, “I’m setting the terms. I am Lord.” But an honest heart says, “Lord,
whatever you want – right now.”
An honest heart says,with the old hymn,
The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only thee.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2011/01/31/an-honest-heart/
Thursday, January 27, 2011
How Should Young Ministers Respond To Seasoned Criticism?
There's been some buzz regarding John MacArthur and a comment he made about a book by Darrin Patrick. What a wise and generous hearted posture by Patrick to those coming to his defense by criticizing MacArthur:
"For those of you who have been quick to be critical of Dr. MacArthur, please remember that we all need to be corrected from time to time.....ALL of us who are younger need to give a careful listen to the concerns of seasoned pastors, many of whom have forgotten more than we might ever know."
This is very refreshing since I was personally attacked and accused of being arrogant when I forthrightly stated the obvious to a young,inexperienced, first year seminarian novice.
What was my sin? I "spanked his inner child" when I informed him that after 35+ years of seasoned ministry, 3 church plants, 17 years of teaching at a bible college, earning a master
and a doctorate, he simply wasn't my teacher.
That he thought he could and should be demonstrated he was a "pompous ignoramus".
rgh
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/01/25/darrin-patrick-and-john-macarthur/
http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110121_Radical-Individualism-A-Good-Trait-for-Young-Pastors
"For those of you who have been quick to be critical of Dr. MacArthur, please remember that we all need to be corrected from time to time.....ALL of us who are younger need to give a careful listen to the concerns of seasoned pastors, many of whom have forgotten more than we might ever know."
This is very refreshing since I was personally attacked and accused of being arrogant when I forthrightly stated the obvious to a young,inexperienced, first year seminarian novice.
What was my sin? I "spanked his inner child" when I informed him that after 35+ years of seasoned ministry, 3 church plants, 17 years of teaching at a bible college, earning a master
and a doctorate, he simply wasn't my teacher.
That he thought he could and should be demonstrated he was a "pompous ignoramus".
rgh
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/01/25/darrin-patrick-and-john-macarthur/
http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110121_Radical-Individualism-A-Good-Trait-for-Young-Pastors
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Liturgically Sacramental
These extracts from an article by the Internet Monk explain the significance of liturgy within the sacramental view of the corporate assembly of God's covenant people. As the writer makes clear, it really is a matter of substance over style. Consider clicking on the site and reading the entire article.
rgh
"Most battles over worship in evangelicalism are about personal preferences with regard to style. What kind of music? Can we dress casually? Is the building and “worship space” marked by Christian symbols? To what extent should we use media and technology? Can I sip my latte while attending the service?
Bottom line, however, the nature of the service has changed little in the fundamental approach to its purpose. There may be (a lot more) singing, a praise band instead of organ, piano, and songleader, inclusion of drama, PowerPoint or video clips, and a casually dressed pastor who doesn’t stand behind a pulpit, but the “big event” remains the sermon, the “worship set” continues to prepare people to listen to the preacher, and the message is still designed to prompt a response. Today’s culture has replaced yesterday’s, that’s all. And this has led to conflict that has mainly erupted along generational lines and/or between those who are more “traditional” in their preferences vs. those who want church to be more “relevant.”
At the same time, many people have left revivalist traditions to join liturgical traditions—Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and others whose worship is based on an entirely different foundation.
It’s not that liturgical churches have “forms” whereas non-liturgical churches don’t. It’s not that liturgical churches always use traditional music. It’s not that liturgical churches do exactly the same things week after week whereas free churches are “spontaneous” and change things up all the time. The non-liturgical churches are often just as repetitive in their own patterns. These are all “style” matters, and while there are some generalizations that might be made about stylistic differences between liturgical and non-liturgical churches, this is not the main distinction between the two worlds.
At root, the difference is between a sacramental understanding of how God works, and a non-sacramental view.
This is where I return when I feel unworthy, day after day. I return to the Lord’s supper. It is there that I am accepted. It is there that I am forgiven. It is there that I am declared worthy. It is there where the last will and testament is read, and lo and behold…I am included! It is there that I receive a full share of the inheritance.
We also receive these gifts in the preaching and teaching of His Word, and in the words of Christian encouragement spoken between the brethren.
But the sacraments are something tangible. Something that we can actually see, feel, touch, smell, and taste.
■The liturgical tradition calls the church together for a much different reason. It holds that God’s family needs to live in the Gospel through regular sacramental gatherings. In worship we actually, literally, objectively receive the benefits of Christ’s finished work through Word and Sacrament, are nourished for our ongoing journey, and strengthened to live in new obedience by the Spirit who fills us through the tangible means God has provided."
Liturgy is not a style. It is the way God comes to us in grace.
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/liturgy-is-not-a-style
rgh
"Most battles over worship in evangelicalism are about personal preferences with regard to style. What kind of music? Can we dress casually? Is the building and “worship space” marked by Christian symbols? To what extent should we use media and technology? Can I sip my latte while attending the service?
Bottom line, however, the nature of the service has changed little in the fundamental approach to its purpose. There may be (a lot more) singing, a praise band instead of organ, piano, and songleader, inclusion of drama, PowerPoint or video clips, and a casually dressed pastor who doesn’t stand behind a pulpit, but the “big event” remains the sermon, the “worship set” continues to prepare people to listen to the preacher, and the message is still designed to prompt a response. Today’s culture has replaced yesterday’s, that’s all. And this has led to conflict that has mainly erupted along generational lines and/or between those who are more “traditional” in their preferences vs. those who want church to be more “relevant.”
At the same time, many people have left revivalist traditions to join liturgical traditions—Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and others whose worship is based on an entirely different foundation.
It’s not that liturgical churches have “forms” whereas non-liturgical churches don’t. It’s not that liturgical churches always use traditional music. It’s not that liturgical churches do exactly the same things week after week whereas free churches are “spontaneous” and change things up all the time. The non-liturgical churches are often just as repetitive in their own patterns. These are all “style” matters, and while there are some generalizations that might be made about stylistic differences between liturgical and non-liturgical churches, this is not the main distinction between the two worlds.
At root, the difference is between a sacramental understanding of how God works, and a non-sacramental view.
This is where I return when I feel unworthy, day after day. I return to the Lord’s supper. It is there that I am accepted. It is there that I am forgiven. It is there that I am declared worthy. It is there where the last will and testament is read, and lo and behold…I am included! It is there that I receive a full share of the inheritance.
We also receive these gifts in the preaching and teaching of His Word, and in the words of Christian encouragement spoken between the brethren.
But the sacraments are something tangible. Something that we can actually see, feel, touch, smell, and taste.
■The liturgical tradition calls the church together for a much different reason. It holds that God’s family needs to live in the Gospel through regular sacramental gatherings. In worship we actually, literally, objectively receive the benefits of Christ’s finished work through Word and Sacrament, are nourished for our ongoing journey, and strengthened to live in new obedience by the Spirit who fills us through the tangible means God has provided."
Liturgy is not a style. It is the way God comes to us in grace.
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/liturgy-is-not-a-style
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Retirement or Redeployment?
"The economic crisis of recent years has forced many Americans to rethink and redefine retirement as a matter of necessity. For Christians, this represents an important opportunity. The ideal for Christians should be redeployment, even after employment.
There is so much Kingdom work to be done, and older believers are desperately needed in this great task. There are missionaries to be assisted, ministries to be energized, young couples to be counseled, boys without fathers to be mentored, and wisdom and experience to be shared. The possibilities for Christian redeployment are endless."
Al Mohler
http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/01/06/for-the-sake-of-the-kingdom-redefining-retirement
There is so much Kingdom work to be done, and older believers are desperately needed in this great task. There are missionaries to be assisted, ministries to be energized, young couples to be counseled, boys without fathers to be mentored, and wisdom and experience to be shared. The possibilities for Christian redeployment are endless."
Al Mohler
http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/01/06/for-the-sake-of-the-kingdom-redefining-retirement
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