B. Lockhart and R. Johnson were members of my father's church, when I was a boy. This brother and sister had relocated to Los Angeles from Little Rock. They loved my dad and faithfully served our congregation. But they constantly talked about their former pastor and church in Arkansas. I didn't understand why, until they gave me a tape of Jerry D. Black. He was preaching his classic sermon, "A Trip to Job's House." I vividly remember the first time I heard Jerry Black preach in person. It was during the National Baptist Convention USA in Los Angeles in 1990....

Jerry Black is the Pastor of the historic Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, where he has served since 1991.     I had the opportunity to interview Jerry Black about his life and ministry. Enjoy! [embed]https://vimeo.com/279145176[/embed] Did you find this interview helpful?  Join the conversation in the comments section. Related Resources Steve Gaines Interview Donald Parson Interview The Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference will take place September 18-20, 2018, at the Shiloh Church in Jacksonville, Florida.  This conference is designed to train, model, and promote biblical teaching and preaching. Register TODAY!!!!  

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you to preach faithfully, clearly, and better.  In this episode, I want to offer several answers to the question of how long your sermons should be. Congregations' views on sermon length have changed. Should yours? There was a time when, if I was asked how long my congregation's worship services lasted, I answered, "Until they are over." If asked how long I preached, I answered, "Until I'm finished." Those were bad answers twenty years ago. They are even worse answers now. Time is your members' most important commodity. It is...

Steve Gaines is the Pastor of the historic Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, where he has served since 2005. He has led several congregations over more than thirty years of pastoral ministry. Gaines is also the immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention (2016-2018). Steve Gaines is soul-winning pastor, faithful preacher, and prayer-driven leader, whose leadership, counsel, and preaching a sought-after by many. He is also the author of numerous books, including... Pray Like It Matters by Steve Gaines  Share Jesus Like It Matters by Steve Gaines Pray Like This edited by Steve Gaines When God Comes to Church by...

What does the Bible teach about hell? To ask this question is to acknowledge that hell is a biblical teaching. That is an appropriate starting point for considering the doctrine of hell. A discussion about hell is not like a discussion about purgatory. Scripture nowhere states, affirms, or implies purgatory exists. It is a construct of Roman Catholic tradition, not a teaching of scripture. The doctrine of hell, however, is clearly a biblical teaching. You may not like what the Bible says about hell. You may not agree with what the Bible says about hell. You may not believe what...

Welcome to The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you to preach faithfully, clearly, and better.  It's good to be back! In this episode of the podcast, I want to you to offer you several tips for effective preaching as an associate minister. The pastor-teacher of a local church is entrusted with a crucial stewardship. He will answer to the Lord about his charge to preach the word in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:1-2). The associate minister also has a great responsibility. You may not be the main weekly preacher. But you should make the...

  And a leper came to Jesus, imploring him, and kneeling to him said, “If you will, you can make me clean.”– Mark 1:40   The last passage of chapter 1 (verses 40-45), records the miracle of Jesus cleansing a leper. It is also recorded in Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:12-15. Leprosy was the most dreaded disease in the Bible. The term “leprosy” was used to describe anything from a skin rash to Hansen’s Disease (the modern name for leprosy). Luke 5:12 says this man who came to Jesus was “full of leprosy.” This was no skin rash. It was...

It was a joy to serve as President of the 2018 SBC Pastors’ Conference in Dallas this past week. The conference theme was, “Fulfill Your Ministry." Our goal was to challenge and encourage pastors and church leaders to be faithful to their calling to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in and through local church. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:5 I am deeply grateful for the Southern Baptist Convention body electing me as president of the Pastor’s Conference in Phoenix last year and for the...

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:5 We are only a few days away from this 2018 SBC Pastors’ Conference in Dallas (June 10-11), which kicks-off the Southern Baptist Convention each year. It has been joy, honor, and privilege to serve as conference president this year (The pastors’ conference presidency is an annual appointment. A new president will be elected at the end of this year’s conference.) With all the controversy swirling around the Southern Baptist Convention this year, I appeal to you to pray earnestly that...

Fulfill Your Ministry!   As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. – 2 Timothy 4:5   It is a joy, honor, and privilege to be the president of the 2018 Pastors’ Conference at the Southern Baptist Conference. The conference will meet in Dallas, Texas, June 10-11. The Pastors’ Conference kicks off the Southern Baptist Convention each year. It is geared toward pastors. But it is a blessing and benefit to all who attend. You are welcome to attend, even if you are not a pastor or a member of the...

Running to Win the Imperishable Prize

Running To Win the Imperishable Prize | Handout