Text-Driven Blog
The Mystery of Preaching: The Spirit, The Word, and Human Agency
In his classic work, On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, John A. Broadus stresses the need for effective preaching, arguing that the “the record of Christian history has been that the strength of the church is directly related to the strength of the ... Read More »
The Response of Preaching: Why the Invitation Matters
On November 14, 2011, a sincere husband and wife approached me after my Contemporary Evangelism class to present a serious request. They asked, “Dr. Queen, we are the only Christians in both of our families of origin. When we go home for Thanksgiving Break, ... Read More »
The Response of Preaching: Why the Invitation Matters
Jerusalem was probably quiet as the Day of Pentecost dawned on those one hundred twenty believers who prayed fervently in that upper room. Few outside that sacred prayer vigil could have expected the glorious events about to occur. Then marvelously, God opened... Read More »
The Spirit of Preaching: Allowing the Holy Spirit to Lead the Preacher in His Study
The preaching ministry is a spiritual enterprise. John Knox says, “True preaching from start to finish is the work of the Spirit.”[1]John Knox, The Integrity of Preaching (Nashville: Abingdon, 1957), 89. Consequently, preaching has to be navigated in utter... Read More »
The Temptation of Preaching: Exalting Christ or Magnifying Self
Is it possible to be sinful in our preaching? Is it possible that preachers can be consumed with self in the very moment they are supposed to be consumed with a message from God? I think we all know the sad answer is that it is indeed possible. Human beings ha... Read More »
The Worship of Preaching: Hearing God’s Voice in the Sermon
I would be surprised to find out if anyone reading this blog does not agree that the Word of God is paramount in our ministries. To state it positively, I feel safe assuming that everyone to whom I am communicating right now believes the Bible is important to ... Read More »
The Recipients of Preaching: What Role Does the Audience Play in Preaching?
“Sermons don’t change the world; changed people change the world”-Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr. At its best, preaching is not what is said but ultimately what is heard. Most of the emphasis in the preaching moment is on the preacher. As much as the preache... Read More »
The Relevance of Preaching: Applying an Ancient Text to Modern Situations
The Bible is relevant. God’s Word is just as living, active, and penetrating today as it was when the Spirit first inspired its writers to record its truths for its original recipients. Unfortunately, we preachers sometimes muddle its relevance as we attempt... Read More »
The Medium of Preaching: Speaking a Never Changing Message in an Ever Changing World
The Genesis account of creation tells us both that God created and how he created—by His Word. Christians have steadfastly affirmed that God created ex nihilo (out of nothing), but many have forgotten that God works the same way in the miracle of salvation: ... Read More »
The Source of Preaching: The Power of Text-Driven Sermons
In recent years, the phrase, “text-driven preaching” has appeared on the landscape of homiletical studies. One might wonder why such a designation is necessary. After all, he might muse, isn’t the term ”expository” simply a synonym for “text-driven... Read More »
The Secret of Preaching: What Do I Preach?
Now that we know why we preach, we must determine what we preach. The only valid and sufficient basis for preaching is the Word of God. It is the Word of God that establishes and confirms the theology and ministry of the church. It alone adequately addresses t... Read More »
The Secret of Preaching: Why Do I Preach?
The most significant thing the pastor does is to preach the Word of God. While he must engage in many different tasks, his preaching remains the most important because it is the most visible and valuable. Many of the congregation will never see the pastor exce... Read More »