So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.– Galatians 6:10   Galatians 6:10 issues a call to do good to others. This command drafts every Christian into service. No Christian can dodge this draft. It is not a suggestion, recommendation, or even an invitation. It is a divine mandate. The word of God commands us to do good for others to the glory of God. The Christian life is about more than what you know, say, or feel. It is about what you do....

The Good Samaritan

  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 When you become a Christian, God the Holy Spirit takes us residence in your heart immediately, permanently, and completely. If you do not have the Spirit of Christ, you are not a Christian (Romans 8:9b). If you are a Christian, you do not need to receive the Spirit. He is already there! The indwelling Spirit gifts the believer for Christian service (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). These gifts, or gracious enablement for service to others,...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.  In this episode, I want to give you ten principles for preaching the parables of Jesus in the Gospels. How do preach a parable of Jesus?  Understand the nature of parables. Study the context of the parable. Analyze the structure of the parable. Seek the main idea of the parable. Be careful of interpreting the parable allegorically. Let the parable speak for itself. Do not get lost in the details of the parable. Pay attention to the conclusion of the parable. Determine the...

The Cost of Following Jesus

  Racism is an ugly reality of American society. You may debate if things are getting better or worse. But no one can honestly deny the reality of racism in society. It is simply and sadly the way the world is. Racism also rears its ugly head in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. This should not be so. Yet, unfortunately, it is true. There is no longer the open racism of slavery or segregation. Yet the spirit of racism is evident in our inability to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15)....

Welcome to the 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 avoiding indecent exposure in the pulpit... To illustrate is to shed light on the subject. Illustrations are like windows in a house. They let the light in. They can also let in voyeurs, seeking to eye the forbidden. There is no place for voyeurism in the pulpit. Sermon illustrations should be like letting sunlight into a window, not like putting a spotlight on a stage. Here are ten guidelines for avoiding indecent...

A Spiritual Credit Check

  One day, a man walked the beach after a storm. Strong tides came in and out. As he strolled the shore, he noticed a little boy grabbing starfish from the sand and feverishly throwing them into the water. The man was intrigued. The beach was littered with starfish. What did the boy hope to accomplish? He had to ask what the boy was doing. “I’m saving starfish,” the boy answered, breathlessly, as he continued working. “But, son,” the man replied, “There are starfish everywhere. Do you think what you are doing will really make a difference?” Unfazed, the boy...

  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 ten men who have influenced my preaching. Every preacher has been influenced by other preachers. Some do not acknowledge the influences. Others deny they have any influences at all. It does not change the fact that every preacher stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before him, some in very specific ways. Who are the preachers who have influenced my preaching?  H.B. Charles Sr. E.K. Bailey John F. MacArthur Jr....

Are You Faithful?

On Thursday, February 28, 2019, the Shiloh Church Choir will record a live worship CD with Bob Kauflin and Sovereign Grace Music. I was introduced to Sovereign Grace Music years ago, while I still served in Los Angeles. I met Bob Kauflin some years ago, as we served in a conference together. Our introduction and budding friendship involved many fruitful discussions about the gospel, corporate worship, and music. In the providence of God, those conversations led to an opportunity for our respective ministries to do something together to serve the larger church. I am grateful and excited that the Shiloh...