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...

  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20   The Great Commission is the mission of the church. Christ commands us to make disciples by proclaiming the gospel and calling the lost to trust the crucified and risen...

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 the dynamics of Spirit-empowered preaching. I believe there are three characteristics of effective preaching: faithfulness to the text, clarity of the message, and passion in the presentation. When I speak of passion, I do not refer to some fleshly demonstration. Or the deacons in my Dad's church would call, "An outside show to an unfriendly world." I am talking about spirit-empower preaching. What are the dynamics of Spirit-empowered preaching?    Godly Character Doctrinal...

The Mission of the Church

  There I am, preparing to speak. Someone introduces me, who does not know me personally. So he reads from my bio. Two things capture the congregation’s attention. First, my name – H.B. Charles Jr. “Just in case you’re wondering,” he says, “H.B. does not stand for anything.” I am going to be asked about that later. Usually, I simply answer, “What can I say? My father did it to me. And I did it to my son.” Then the second, bigger details comes up. “H.B. succeeded his father’s forty-year pastorate at the age of seventeen, a senior at Los...

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 passion in preaching. I believe effective preaching involves faithfulness to the text, the clarity of the message, and passion in the presentation. Passion, however, should be the natural outflow and overflow of the preacher's determination to preach faithfully and clearly. What does preaching with passion involve?  Spiritual Devotion Personal Worship Bible Exposition Doctrinal Conviction Shepherd's Heart Believing Prayer Spirit-Infilling   Question What do you think passion in preaching involves? Related Resources  On Preachingby...