Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15   Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference exists to train, model, and promote expositional preaching. Expository preaching is that preaching in which the point of the sermon is rooted in, is in alignment with, and flows out of the selected scripture. It is preaching in which the sermon in shaped by the content and intent of the sermon text. In short, expositional preaching is biblical preaching Expository preaching...

  A friend and I had a long conversation. It was a typical discussion that happens when pastors get together. We tried to fix all of the problems in the church and the world before we got up from the table. As is typical, nothing changed when we finished our conversation. After an extended debate about transitions and succession, we considered our own future retirements from pastoral ministry, God willing. “When I retire, I’m not going to church anymore,” my fried joked. “I will do like my members and just watch the services via livestream.” My friend assured me that...

  Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, I want to talk to you about where you do your sermon preparation. There seems to be two obvious answers to the question about where a preacher does his sermon preparation: at home or at the church.  But the the question is bigger than just a geographic location. Where should you prepare to preach?  Prioritize concentration. Go to your secret prayer closet. Turn your "Office" into a "Study." Work where you tools are. Not in an ivory tower. Work...

How God Says I Love You

  And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”– Mark 6:31   Jesus sent the twelve apostles on a short-term mission trip to preach the word, heal the sick, and cast out demons (Mark 6:7-13). After some unspecified time, the disciples return to Jesus and report to him all they did and taught (Mark 6:30). The ministry of Jesus consisted of words and works. The apostles continued Jesus’ ministry by proclaiming truth and performing miracles. This is...

  Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, I want to you talk to you about developing a sermon preparation checklist. Many "thought workers" use checklists to do their work with effectiveness, efficiency, and excellence - like doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, and chefs. Preachers should also use sermon preparation checklists as they prepare to preach the word. What should be in a preacher's sermon preparation checklist? When and where will I be preaching this sermon? Do I understand the meaning of the text? Have I applied this...

  Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. Sermons have three basic elements: explanation, application, and illustration. Explain what the text means by what it says. Call on the hearer to respond to the truth with repentance, faith, and obedience. Illustrate how the truth of the text works in the world of the hearer. Illustrations are powerful. But the preacher must harness the power of illustrates by using them effectively in preaching. How do you use sermon illustrations effectivel? Remember the purpose of sermon illustrations. Place illustrations in your semon...

Are You a Child of God?

  Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, I want to talk to you about what it means to preach the word. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul charged Timothy to preach the word. This is the definitive, central, and primary function of the pastor and the church. But we live in a time where there is a conspiracy against preaching - in the pews and in the pulpit. But it is and has always been the will of God to save the lost and sanctify the church...

A New Beginning at the Last Minute

Clinton McFarland and I tried to figure out how long we have known each other. It has been about twenty years. However, we simply concluded we were still young preachers way back then. I met Clinton McFarland in Columbus, Mississippi, where he served at the time. I lived and served in Los Angeles. Since then, the Lord has moved McFarland to Atlanta. And the Lord has moved me to Jacksonville. Clinton McFarland is the founding pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Atlanta, which he planted almost five years ago. He is also a much -sought after preacher who ministers...

  “Unchurched Christian” is not a biblical category. Ask Paul, John, or Peter what they think about unchurched Christians and they would have responded, “Why are you calling them Christians, if they are not a part of the church?” The New Testament does not have a vision of the Christian life outside of the church, the local church. But there are many professing Christians today who seek to be commited  to Christ with no commitment to the church. They do not believe in organized religion. They claim the church is full of hypocrites. They have experienced church hurt. They cannot...