It was my first extended vacation from the first church I served. I really didn't want to take the time off. But, wisely, the men insisted. With my first Sunday off, I decided to visit Grace Community Church to hear Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. I would often attend the Sunday evening service at Grace. But I had never been there on a Sunday morning. That morning, Dr. MacArthur was preaching about the family. The conclusions he drew from the scriptures affirmed convictions I already held. However, for some reason, I became angry as I listened to the message. I felt...

Here is the video of the sermon I preached Sunday at the Shiloh Church on Matthew 6:19-21. I called it, "Having Possessions and Being Possessed." In the message, I argued that to have possessions without being possessed by them, you must... I. Be concerned of where your treasure resides (vv. 19-20) II. Be committed to treasure that remains (vv. 19-20) III. Be concerned about what your treasure reveals (v. 21) You can also read the sermon manuscript here. Join the conversation in the comments section. 

The late Dr. E.K. Bailey, founding pastor of the Concord Church in Dallas, wrote a booklet, entitled, "Ten Reasons for Expository Preaching." In this booklet, Dr. Bailey defines expository preaching: "An expository sermon is a message that focuses on a portion of scripture so as to clearly establish the precise meaning of the text and to poignantly motivate the hearers to actions or attitudes dictated by that text in the power of the Holy Spirit." Then Bailey gives ten reasons why the church desperately needs expository preaching: 1. Expository preaching creates a Bible-bringing congregation. 2. Expository preaching creates a Bible...

Here are several personal resolutions made by the late Dr. Robert G. Lee (1927-1960) that every minister should consider. For that matter, every Christian should embrace these resolutions. I will be joyful that life may give me wings. I will be courageous that there shall be no binding fears. I will be balanced that neither work, nor play, nor rest, nor worship shall lose its proper share. I will be self-restraint that thoughts of failure shall not hold me back. I will be self-controlled that emotions shall not be dominant. I will be intelligent that straight thinking and knowledge shall...

I love the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church! We had a good time in my BSF class this morning. I taught from 1 Timothy 1:12-20. I called it, "A Defense against False Teachers." (In typical H.B. fashion, I did not finish my lesson and will have to pick it up next week.) As always, I am excited about the guests we had in worship today. Praise God for those who were baptized today, including a mother and her four children. I can still see the father's excited face in the hallway before service. Wonderful! I preached, "Having Possessions and Being Possessed,"...

Thanks for reading my blog this week. Shout-out to my new subscribers. You can sign-up for email updates of new posts under the picture to the left. A big shout-out to Pastor Reginald Bryant and the volunteers who serve in our new Shiloh Outreach Center. Next week, they will host a graduation for 53 people who have completed their GED through the outreach program. Praise God! Shout-out to Pastor Larry Covington and the Ebenezer Church of Burlington for the invitation to minister the word in their annual church revival this week. While in North Carolina, I visited a massive used...

I recently interviewed Dr. Lloyd C. Blue, who lives in Dallas and leads the Lloyd Blue Ministries. Years ago, I would miss the E.K. Bailey Conference every year, because of scheduling conflicts. My associates pastors would attend and bring me back the recordings. I was introduced to the ministry of Lloyd Blue through those  recorded lectures. We connected several years ago, during an event at which we were both scheduled to speak. His fond memories of my father were such an encouragement. I had the following conversation with Dr. Blue while he was in Jacksonville, minister to the men of our congregation....

Yesterday was a long, good day of worship. I really enjoyed teaching my Bible Study Fellowship group. In completed an exposition of 1 Timothy 1:3-11. I plan to teach 1 Timothy 1:12-17 next week. As always, it was great to have our guests in worship yesterday. Our children’s choir sang during the 10:15 service. Hailey participated for the second time. And for the second time, she stared at the floor monitors, rather than actually singing. The choir sang a Thomas Whitfield classic, “Only A Look.” Loved it. Praise God for the seven persons who were baptized yesterday! I preached from...

Thanks for reading my blog. And a special shout-out to my new subscribers this week. You can sign-up under the picture to the left to receive email updates of new posts. If you did not catch the interview with David Olford that I posted this week, you can see it here. Shout-out to Pastor Welton Pleasant and the Christ Second Baptist Church of Long Beach (CA). It was an honor to preach their 105th church anniversary Wednesday night, as my father once served as their pastor. I attended the 23rd WHW Expository Preaching Conference. This conference was a great help...

Wednesday night, I preached for Pastor Welton Pleasant at the Christ Second Baptist Church of Long Beach, CA. Christ Second Baptist Church is celebrating its 105th church anniversary this month. Pastor Pleasant, whom I have known for some years, invited me in honor of my father, who pastored the church for ten years, before he was called to Mt. Sinai in Los Angeles. I remember the first time I preached at Christ Second Baptist. I was 16-years-old boy preacher. It was not long after my father had died. Members greeted me and told me how much I reminded them of...

We recently hosted David L. Olford at the Shiloh Church in Jacksonville. Dr. Olford lectured of Bible interpretation during our fall church institute. David holds the Stephen Olford Chair of Preaching at Union University, a professorship named in honor of his late father - Stephen F. Olford. He has served as President of Olford Ministries International and Director of studies at Olford Biblical Training Center. Dr. Olford holds a B.A. and M.A. from Wheaton College and a Ph.D from Sheffield University. During his time with us, Dr. David graciously permitted me to interview him. I hope you are challenged and encouraged...

I love first Sundays! We celebrated the Lord’s Table in both worship services. We also welcomed our new members that completed New Members Class Saturday. What a joy! By the way, I really enjoyed my time with our new members Saturday morning. They had really great questions. And I enjoy talking about Christian doctrine. I was encouraged by their eagerness to learn. It was good to have our guests in worship today, including the Raines High School class of 1977. In my Bible Study Fellowship group, I taught from 1 Timothy 1:3-8: “A Warning against False Teachers.” In typical H.B....