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...

  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 executive decisions every preacher must make. Preachers are ministers of the word (Acts 6:4). Literally, we are servants of the word. As a result, there are fundamental elements of pulpit ministry over which we have no control. We have no authority over the biblical message we proclaim. We have no authority over the response of the hearer. We have no control over the ministry of the Holy Spirit as we preach But there...

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

  Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.  In this episode, we discuss how to structure a sermon. Good, clear, sound and sermon structure is key to effective preaching. But sermon structure must stay in its place. You do not want to preach a jellyfish sermon, with no structure. And you do not want to preach a skeleton, with no life. How should you structure your sermon for effective preaching?  Structure the sermon based on the text. Structure the sermon around one main idea. Structure the sermon for clear communication....

God Is Not a Crooked Judge

  How can Christians experience victory over temptations to sin? Here are ten dynamic steps you can take to gain victory over temptation… Think clearly and correctly about temptation. Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). You are not immune to temptation. You are not unique when tempted. You are not alone in your temptations. James writes,...

When Duty Calls

  Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.  In this episode, we discuss the use of Bible commentaries in sermon preparation. Make friends with several good commentators. Find the best commentaries on individual books of the Bible. Use different types of commentaries. Consult commentaries toward the end of your study. Make strategic use of Bible commentaries. Do not read too many commentaries. Remember that no commentary is the ultimate authority on scripture. View commentaries as a sermon preparation tool. Though shalt not steal! Preach the Word, not the commentary.  ...