This past week, I prayerfully agreed to be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, which will take place in Dallas in 2018. The Pastors' Conference is held every year in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. It has been my joy to preach the pastors' conference on several occasions. It would be a privilege to lead it in 2018. I am grateful and honored that Ken Whitten of the Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa Bay has agreed to nominate me at the upcoming SBC meeting in Phoenix. I am also grateful for...

Divine Assurance For Christian Suffering (1 Peter 5:10-11)

Welcome to episode #46 of The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. I believe effective preaching involves faithfulness to the text, clarity of the message, and passion in the delivery. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll talk about advice for using quotations in your sermons. Main Content Here are 5 pieces of practical advice about using quotations in your sermons:  Decide if you want to use a quotation. Be careful about who you quote. Make sure the quotation makes the point. Use short quotations. Do not use too many quotations. Question:  Do...

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. – Job 23:10 Trust God’s heart when you cannot trace God’s hand. Have you ever heard this statement before? Have you ever said it before? What does it mean in terms of real-world faith? Job can help us answer these questions. As he suffered, Job complained against God: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to...

It was a joy to speak at the WorshipGod Northeast Conference this week in Philadelphia, PA. Thanks to my friend Bob Kaulflin for the invitation and opportunity! Read my latest article: God Does Not Answer Selfie Prayers!  Check out the latest episode of The On Preaching Podcast. In this episode, we'll discus "Tips for Clear Communication in Preaching." For The Church: H.B. Charles on the Pastor's Most Important Weekly Tasks  Nathan Busenitz: Ten Reminders for Preachers Justin Taylor: Where Did the "Billy Graham Rule" Come From?  Tim Challies: What We Lost When We Lost Our Hymnals Erik Raymond: The Only...

Welcome to episode #45 of The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. I believe effective preaching involves faithfulness to the text, clarity of the message, and passion in the delivery. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll talk about tips for clear communication as you preach the word of God.  Here are five practical tips for clear communication in biblical preaching: Read Write Listen Preach Review Question: What is the one practical thing you have done over the course of your ministry to help you communicate more clearly in the pulpit? Recommend Resources Pastoral Preaching...

What Every Christian Needs To Know About Temptation

I was looking for a cord for a device I had not used in a while. And I knew exactly where to look. My wife keeps a box where she dumps gadget stuff that me and the kids inevitably lose. I rummaged through the box, never finding what I was looking for. But I did find several digital cameras. I pulled each one out of the box, remembering purchasing or using them for special events. After I repacked the box, I wondered why my family did not use these cameras any longer. It was not because there were no more...

My baby girl - Hailey Breanne - turned 9 this week (3/24). She is growing up fast. But she will always be my little girl! Happy Birthday Hailey Bug! Today is Shiloh Community Service Day! Grateful for the army of Shiloh Church volunteers who are letting their light shine in our city today! It was a joy to speak at chapel this week at the Reformation Bible College. It was also my first time on the campus of Ligonier Ministries. Grateful for this faithful gospel work! Russell Moore: Seeking Unity in the Southern Baptist Convention Kate Shellnutt: Princeton Seminary Reforms...

The Ultimate Prayer Partner (Romans 8:26-27)

Who is Like the Lord Our God

I am a news junkie. Or, I used to be. I now find it painfully difficult to watch the news. It seems the news no longer reports the news. Anchors or hosts now make an announcement, usually under the banner of breaking news. Someone explains the announcement in less than sixty seconds, usually with a graphic or clip that points to a conclusion. Then a panel discusses what we just heard… or didn’t hear. These panelists are clearly partisans, who argue for their political affiliation no matter what. The discussions regularly turn into arguments, with multiple people yelling at the...