Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps....

We, who are African Americans, naturally bristle at texts like this. The suffering of our forebearers during America’s history of chattel slavery makes us uncomfortable with the subject of servants and masters. The matter is worsened by “slave theology,” in which slaveholders used passages like this to keep slaves in bondage. But we must not allow the difficulty of the subject or the misuse of the text to cause us to ignore, minimize, or reject what the Spirit says to the church. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,...

Local churches scattered throughout the Roman province of Asia Minor faced growing cultural hostility. The Roman government would soon ban the practice of Christianity. It would lead to genocidal persecution that would last for centuries. How should these Christians face the current opposition? How should these Christians face the coming persecution?  Peter wrote this letter to answer these questions. This middle section of the letter addresses how Christians should live in a hostile society. 1 Peter 2:11-12 says, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep...

There is a general sense in which every person is a recipient of the kindness of God that sustains life. But it is a far greater thing to be enriched by divine favor. In this regard, some of blessed; others are not. Deep down, every human soul desires to be blessed by God. Many do not acknowledge, understand, or embrace this longing. They spend their lives seeking worldly blessings that do not satisfy. Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow to it.” What is the blessed life? Psalm 128 answers.  The ascription reads: A Song of Ascents. Psalms 120-134...

Warren Wiersbe wrote of Native American chiefs and warriors who met in 1805 at Buffalo Creek, New York, to hear a minister from the Boston Missionary Society present the gospel. In response, Red Jacket, one of the leading chiefs, responded: “Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then...

Identity crisis is a developmental event in which a person experiences confusion, uncertainty, or reorientationof their sense of self. It is to struggle with the question, “Who am I?” It happens when children become teenagers. It happens when youth pass from adolescence to adulthood. It happens when adults face postpartum depression, midlife crisis, or empty-nest syndrome.  An identity crisis is not exclusive to people. Institutions can also suffer an identity crisis. An organization can lose its sense of purpose, mission, and calling. The church can also suffer an identity crisis. The 16th-century Protestant Reformation was a turning point in which the church worked through an identity crisis. Revival functions the same way. Revival is secondarily about...

Under Construction. Excuse Our Mess.Open During Renovation.  When you see these signs, what is your response? Do you boycott that establishment until changes are made? You will if that place or thing does not matter to you. If it is important to you, you will continue to patronize it even with some things out of order.  We respond that way to every institution except the church. Many people’s commitment to the church is sustained as long as they can maintain some false notion of the perfect church. Once they discover something that fails to live up to expectations, they change churches, devalue the church, or abandon the church. There are no perfect churches. The church is...

"Thank You For It All" | H.B. Charles Jr. My new single, "Thank You For It All," has been released. And it is now available on all the various music platforms. Over the past several years, I have been writing music. The process started someone spontaneously, during my devotional times. I would sing melodies as I prayed and read scripture. Other songs were born from study times in sermon preparation. I periodically try out some of these songs during prayer meetings and worship services. At this point, I am eager to share this music with a wider audience. We have...

Isaiah 49 begins with what is called a Servant Songs There are four Servant Songs in Isaiah’s. These songs are about the Servant of the Lord, the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel had failed God as his representative to the nations. But God's redemptive plan was not thwarted. God’s anointed Servant would fulfill his plans for Israel and the nations.  Verse 13 records the proper response to this good news: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.” Sovereign grace invokes universal praise. All creation should sing praise for God’s comfort and compassion toward his afflicted people. ...

Jeremiah’s warnings of judgment were finally coming to pass. Nebuchadnezzar surrounded Jerusalem. His armies would soon attack Judah, destroy the holy city, and take the people into Babylonian Captivity. Jeremiah was in prison. He had counseled Judah’s king to surrender Nebuchadnezzar. Defeat was inevitable. The prophet was arrested for treason for telling the truth. Jeremiah 33:1 says, “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard.” God is good all the time. God is at his best when things are at their worst.  In this moment of crisis, the word of the Lord...

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 2:4-5 "How the Lord Builds the Church" (1 Peter 2:4-5) | H.B. Charles Jr.

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. I do not think preaching needs an adjective, modifier, or descriptor. Either it is preaching or it is not. If I was forced to pick a term to describe preaching, it would not be expository. It would be the word “Faithful.” The goal of the preacher should be to be faithful.  What does it mean to preach faithfully? Here are ten characteristics of faithful preaching... Preach as a herald. Preach the text. Preach the gospel. Preach with conviction. Preach with clarity. Preach with purpose....