This morning, I preached a message on Luke 12:13-21, the parable of the rich fool. Here is my "sermon skeleton."Title: "The Rich Fool"Text: Luke 12:13-21Theme: Jesus issues a warning against covetousnessPoint: Declare war on greed in your life before it's too late (12:15)Outline: In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus issues to stern warnings against covetousness.I. Jesus warns us about the focus of covetousness (12:16-19)A. Selfishness (vv. 16-19)B. Materialism (v. 18)C. Pleasure (v. 19)II. Jesus warns us about the folly of covetousness (12:20-21)A. It is foolish to ignore the limitations of your time on earth (v. 20)B. It is...

Yesterday was a blessed day of worship at Mt. Sinai. I have just begun a series of lessons in my Sunday School class on the "seven deadly sins." I'm calling it "Overcoming Sinful Attitudes." Yesterday, I finished the first lesson on "overcoming Pride." It is my intentional to teach through each lesson in one class session. But I was not able to finish this lesson in the hour I had. I hope this does not become a pattern for the rest of the lessons. I have not taught this class since the summer of last year. But I am glad...

Last night, Crystal and I attended the retirement banquet for Dr. Clarence J. Davis, Jr. It was a special event. And we were both honored to have been present. It was a "black-tie" event. I don't have a tux, and didn't think really be that dressed up. I was wrong. And I felt very under-dressed. It was a good thing we were seated toward the back of the room. Dr. Davis entered the room behind the rhythm section of the USC marching band, who made a special appearance to honor Dr. Davis. The MC for the evening was assemblyman Mark...

This is the "Sermon Skeleton" of the opening message on Psalm 119 I preached last night in our Midweek Worship Service.Title: "Living by the Book"Text: Psalm 119:1-8Theme: The blessedness of devotion to the word of GodPoint: The word of God is totally sufficient to meet every spiritual need in your lifeOutline:I. The Delight of Living by the Book (119:1-3)A. God blesses sincere devotion to his word (v. 1)B. God blessed steadfast devotion to his word (v. 2-3)II. The Duty of Living by the Book (119:4-6)Verses 4-6 gives us three ways to develop and maintain a life of obedience to God's...

Here are some Bible study works that I have found helpful in my study of Psalm 119:1. Living by the Book by James Montgomery Boice - This is a book developed from the late Dr. Boice's expository messages through the book of Psalms. The same material is found in the third volume of Boice's commentary on the psalms.2. A Guide to the Psalms by W. Graham Scroggie - Helpful introductory material on Psalm 119. Scroggie's expositions of the psalms are consistently helpful.3. The Treasury of David (Vol. 3) by Charles Haddon Spurgeon - This is a part of CHS's classic...

This evening, in the Midweek Worship Service at MSMBC, I will begin a verse-by-verse exposition of Psalm 119, "the Mt. Everest of the Psalms." It is both the longest psalm of the Psalter and the longest chapter of the Bible. It contains 176 verses, divided into twenty-two eight-verse stanzas. And the sections of the psalm are poetically arranged into a beautiful acrostic using each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The theme of this psalm is the total sufficiency of the word of God in the life of the believer.I intend to preach through the psalm stanza by stanza (or twenty-two...

I had a rather strange experience this week as I prepared for today's message. I simply could not determine what to preach this morning. I worked on about five different texts this week. I started the week with Psalm 139 on my schedule to preach. Today is "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday." And I thought that Psalm 139 would be an appropriate exposition. But when I got to work Monday morning, I knew that would not be what I preach. I don't think I am ready to do an exposition of a psalm with twenty-four verses in one setting. I...

Following is the little note I wrote for our church bulletin this past Sunday:Today, many Christian congregations across America will observe Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It’s a time when followers of Jesus Christ affirm the centrality of God’s role in the important issues of life, sexuality, pregnancy, abortion, adoption, family, and children. In the providence of God, this year’s observance is taking place at the conclusion of Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito, the president’s nominee for the Supreme Court. For those who hope, pray, and labor for Roe vs. Wade to be overturned, the 1973 Supreme Court...

Howdy.It's a new year. And I am motivated, excited, and focused. But it has hard for me to get into a rhythm. I am still getting done the things that I need to do. But I am not yet in a "groove" in terms of how I am governing my time. I think my problem is that I am fighting off the early stages of a cold. I have been taking medicine, which always makes me drowsy, no matter what the box says. And when I have not been feeling well, I have been trying to just lay down. Rest...

I began the new year by preaching, preaching again, and preaching some more! And I have absolutely no complaints. Saturday night I preached the Watch Night Service at New Philadelphia AME Church in Carson, where my friend Sherman Gordon is the pastor. When Crystal and I arrived, they were introducing a "Christian comedian. " One day someone is going to have to explain the difference between a Christiand and a non-Christian comedian. For the record, the guy was pretty funny. I think I would have laughed a lot harder if I didn't have to preach after this guy was done...

Happy New Year! "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)

I'm back to work after being on vacation for the past two weeks. This was the best vacation I have ever had. I feel rested, refreshed, and ready for the new year. I have been in the office the past several days. But I have not really been able to catch up on much administrative work. The office is closed until next week. So I have kind of had the house to myself. This has allowed me to plunge right into my study. I am scheduled to preach Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Saturday evening, I am to preach a Watch...