The following is an exert from Rediscovering Expository Preaching by John MacArthur, Jr. Fling him into his office. Tear the “Office” sign from the door and nail on the sign, “Study.” Take him off the mailing list. Lock him up with his books and his typewriter and his Bible. Slam him down on his knees before texts and broken hearts and the flock of lives of a superficial flock and a holy God Force him to be the one man in our surfeited communities who knows about God. Throw him into the ring to box with God until he learns how...

The following is an exert from the introduction of my new book, The Difference Jesus Makes. I was in junior high school the first time a girl gave me her phone number. I did not ask for the number. As our families had dinner together that Sunday evening, it was obvious that I liked her. But I did not have the guts to ask for her number. I didn’t even know that was what you were supposed to do. But she saved the day. Before we left the restraint, the young lady told me she needed a pen. I borrowed...

Thanks for reading my blog. Saturday Shout-Outs is my weekly online bulletin board. Enjoy! You can sign up for my FREE weekly sermon manuscript email list in the box in the top right of this page. Shout-out to my friend, Mac Brunson, for the opportunity to give the opening lecture at the Jacksonville Pastors' Conference hosted by the First Baptist Church. A shout out to Josh Buice for the opportunity to speak at the G3 Conference in Douglasville (near Atlanta) this week. It was way cool to meet Tim Challies and Voddie Baucham for the first time at G3. Check...

One Friday evening, he died on the cross for your sins and mine! They buried him in Joseph’s new tomb! But early Sunday morning, he rose from the dead with all power in his hands! The church tradition I grew up in expected the preacher to end the sermon by going to the cross. My father ended his sermons with a summarizing illustration of whatever text he preached. But many other preachers I heard closed their messages with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some claim if you do not go to Calvary at the end. And you...

My father was a good preacher. People who heard my dad will tell you Junior cannot touch Senior when it comes to preaching. There are many preachers who have influenced my preaching. But my dad is at the top of the list. My dad would often tell me, “Son, I don’t want you to be a jackleg preacher.” I didn’t know what a “jackleg preacher” was. Still don’t. But I heard the term enough to know it was something I did not want to be. I hope I am or am becoming the kind of preacher my dad would be...

Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed in me, when as yet there was none of them. - Psalm 139:13-16   Join us, along...

Thanks for reading my blog! You can sign up for my FREE weekly sermon manuscript email list in the box in the top right of this page. A big shout-out to all the Shiloh Church members who participated in Prayer Emphasis Week 2015. Clay Today: Shiloh Merger: More than black-and-white Check out the devotional I wrote this week: "Commit Your Work to the Lord."  Take a listen to the latest episode of The On Preaching Podcast: "What I Pray When I Preach" Ray Pritchard: 20 Sermons for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday James Hamilton Jr.: Worthy of Double Honor: Expository Advocating...

For several months, I have read a chapter of Proverbs daily. I have read Proverbs countless times over the years. But it has come alive for me in fresh and new ways recently. One proverb I have meditated a great deal on is Proverbs 16:3… Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs are not guaranteed promises. They are practical wisdom for a godly and peaceful life. It may not be wise to read them as a principle and promise. It is more like a cause-and-effect. There is a choice and a consequence. You make...

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. – Colossians 4:2 January 11-18 is Prayer Emphasis Week at the Shiloh Church. Our goal is to begin the year giving thanks, making confession, submitting our lives, offering petitions, and interceding for one another. In our worship services yesterday, members filled out prayer cards and left them at the altar. We asked each member to come this week and spend at least 15 minutes praying for the needs on the cards. YOU CAN SUBMIT PRAYER REQUESTS THROUGH OUR CHURCH WEBSITE (www.shiloh.church). CLICK THE ENGAGE TAB TO FIND THE PRAYER LINK....

Thanks for reading my blog! Saturday Shout-Outs is my weekly bulletin board. I send out a free sermon manuscript by email each week. You can sign up for the sermon manuscript list in the box to the right. Praise God for the launch of Shiloh Church of Orange Park!  Shiloh Church in the News: Black & white congregations hope racial reconciliation reflects in New Year merger | Christian Examiner Congratulations to my friend, Carlos L Kelly, who begins his new assignment as pastor of the Beulahland Bible Church this weekend! We mourn the passing of Gospel Artist, Andrae Crouch, and thank...

Why do you wear black suits ALL the time? I get this question often. But it’s not true. I don’t wear black suits all the time. I have and wear different colors occasionally. Yet I wear the same thing so often that my wife and kids are shocked when I emerge from the closet with something other than a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. My father was a connoisseur of fine clothes. He is remembered for his preaching, generosity, and clothes. My dad was not a flashy dresser. But he was always clean. That gene skipped me. I...

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! – Psalm 115:1 Yesterday marked the official launch of the Shiloh Church of Orange Park. The Shiloh Church is now one church in two locations. The first Sunday of 2015 marked the beginning of our new worship schedule. The congregation now meets for worship three times on Sundays between two locations. I led and preached our 7:45 service downtown. After extending the invitation, I headed to Orange Park. I didn’t really know what to expect. I...