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(I heard Smith share this funny quip when he preached at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the early 1980’s. I was an aspiring theology student at the time and was listening to the message in the overflow area since the Southwestern Chapel was at full capacity. I loved that quote then and I love it to this day!)

John Piper quoting Jonathan Edwards on Preaching with Passion

There are churches wherein the minister is nominally the leading officer, but he cannot lead, for the church does not follow. A young officer, sword in hand, leaps the rampart. He looks back, but his troop is yards behind him. He cries, “Come on! Come on!” But there is no answer; he might as well call…

Do not think of preaching until you have truth written on your very soul. You would as well think of steering a ship across the ocean without knowing the first principles of navigation. You would as well think of setting up as an ambassador without your country’s sanction as to dare to intrude yourself…

I have seen in the army a number of veterans marching in front, an ornament and an honor to the whole company. Your short-service men come and go, but these tried men stick to the colors and are the backbone of the regiment. If a tough bit of fighting has to be done, you must rely upon such as these.…

Along the coast, in certain places, there are no harbors. But in other spots, there are bays into which vessels run at once in the time of storm. Some men present an open natural harborage for people in distress. You love them instinctively, and trust them unreservedly. They, on their part, welcome your…

You have sometimes seen a widely spreading oak tree cut down, and you have missed its grateful shadow. Yet afterwards you have discovered that many little trees, which would have been dwarfed beneath its shade, have grown more rapidly in its absence. In like manner, the removal of some eminent servant…

Queen Elizabeth told a notable merchant in the City of London to go to the Continent on royal business. “Please your majesty,” said he, “who will attend to my business while I am away?” The queen replied, “If you will go abroad and see to my business, I will see to your business.” I will be bound to…

A famous preacher was to preach on a certain occasion, but he missed his way and was too late. The devil, knowing of it, put on the appearance of the minister, took his place, and preached a sermon to the people, who supposed they were listening to the famous preacher whom they had expected. The devil…

In the long line of portraits of the Doges in the palace at Venice one space is empty, and the semblance of a black curtain remains as a melancholy record of glory forfeited. Found guilty of treason against the state, Marino Falieri was beheaded and his image as far as possible blotted from remembrance.…

Look out America! There’s a new church movement rising across the country, and guess what they all have in common? They all don’t believe in God! Yes, the growth of atheist churches and even atheist mega-churches are becoming more and more popular as people want the warm feelings of a church experience…

The development and delivery of sermons is an ancient art and calling. In a Buddhist temple in Japan, half of that art is being taken over by a robot. The Android Kannon is programmed to deliver sermons from the Heart Sutras at Kyoto’s Kodaii temple. The humanoid stands nearly 6 ½ feet tall and has flesh-like…

Dr. Cornelius Plantinga, a senior research fellow at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship says his studies have convinced him that worship services in many churches does not mention sin, which is a major part of the Gospel message. Plantinga says some more traditional churches still include confession…

During a sermon about Christian unity, Florida pastor Zach Zehnder spoke about rules that tend to divide Christians — drinking, smoking, and getting tattoos. In an offhanded remark, he told his assembled congregants during a sermon that he would pay them to get tattoos of the church’s colorful cross…

Amazon is always searching for better and faster ways to deliver products to customers. Never satisfied with the status quo, Amazon has tried several alternatives to UPS and FedEx. The company has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to deliver packages via aerial drones. Now in San…

In their book, Introducing Leadership: A Practical Guide, Alison and David Price write, "By default of their position, leaders assume responsibilities for the livelihoods of other people and they need to take this responsibility seriously." —Jim L. Wilson Introducing Leadership, Kindle Location 233 1…

A Colorado pastor wrote a book describing how he has become disillusioned reading the social media messages of high-profile pastors he respected. Pastor Brady Boyd, says he fears the social media has simply became another venue for hype which is creating a church full of consumers. Boyd says the trend…

During one memorable scene in Batman Begins, Bruce Wayne exits an expensive restaurant, soaking wet with two supermodels. It's all part of his act to maintain a “playboy" image so that nobody suspects he's Batman. On his way out, he runs across his childhood friend Rachel Dawes, who looks at him condescendingly.…

Preaching with Integrity by Dr. Jerry Cramer Most Christians do not listen to sermons; they listen to their pastor. Do not think for a second that God's message is not affected by the messengers. The preacher is always the strongest source of persuasion. That is why God has chosen face-to-face preaching…

There is a new Guinness world record for the longest speech and not surprisingly, it is a sermon. Pastor Zach Zehnder of Mount Dora, Florida preached for two days five hours and eighteen minutes. Taking only rare bathroom breaks and with at least 10 people present at all times, the pastor preached from…

Billy Graham has made the list of the Top 10 Most Admired men in the World again. For the 56th time since he first appeared in 1955, the evangelist ranked among the ten most admired men on a list compiled by a USA Today/Gallup poll. Reverend Graham was tied in the voting for 2013 with presidential candidate…

In a twelve hour period, the father and son team of Jesse Shaffer and Jesse Shaffer Jr. rescued 120 people, from the flood in Plaquemines Parish in Louisiana resulting from Hurricane Isaac. They were able to access places using boats that traditional first responders couldn’t go with their trucks. As…

In Integrity Is a Lost Art, Eric Herrstrom writes, “For the church to be believable, the message that leaders speak must line up with their behavior.” --Integrity Is a Lost Art (Kindle Location 259). Illustration by Jim L. Wilson Psalm 7:8 (AMP) The Lord judges the people; judge me, O Lord, and do me…

In Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Unleash A Revolution In Your Life in Christ, Peter Scazzero writes, “For years I learned from leaders and consultants around the country how to lead a large, growing church. None of the training I received concerned itself with knowing myself. The problem was that…