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December 2017

December 19, 2017

One More (Maybe) Christmas Sermon Idea

Jon Bloom is one of my favorite authors. I love the way the Lord gifted...

December 15, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Whadgya Git?

Recently, I begin a sermon on Isaiah 9:6 this way: I am guessing that...

December 12, 2017

Another Christmas Sermon Idea

Jon Bloom is one of my favorite authors. I love the way the Lord gifted...

December 08, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Rise and Shine

To introduce the 2017 Advent Season, I preached out of Isaiah 60:1-3. The first words...

December 05, 2017

Christmas Sermon Idea

Jon Bloom is one of my favorite authors. I love the way the Lord gifted...

December 01, 2017

Sermon Illustration: God and the Dog Collar

Here is an opening illustration I used recently to preach a sermon on Philip and...

November 2017

November 28, 2017

Three Advent Series Ideas

It's the most wonderful time of the year. No doubt. Who doesn't love Christmas? But...

November 24, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Treating Church Like a Dance

I found this thought from Jared Wilson's The Imperfect Disciple helpful the next time I...

November 21, 2017

Determining HOW to Preach the Text: Look Around

You've determined what text to preach. You've determined how the passage fits in the context...

November 17, 2017

Sermon Illustration: The Whole Dose

In an attempt to help the congregation understand how we believers can be guilty of...

November 14, 2017

Determine the Specific Meaning of the Text

"A text can never mean today what it never meant then." The preacher's job is...

November 10, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Loving the Whole Person

Sometimes we walk away when people really just need to be loved. Southern Baptist's have...

November 07, 2017

Determine the Broad Meaning of the Text

Once you have decided what text to preach, the next step is to determine the...

November 03, 2017

Sermon Illustration: The Secret of the Universe

Below is an illustration about the Bible from chapter 4 of Jared Wilson's The Imperfect...

October 2017

October 31, 2017

Exegesis? Eisegesis? The Real Jesus?

I'll never forget one of the first days at seminary. I heard a couple of...

October 27, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Relationship

In a recent sermon on Praying the Scriptures, I wanted to highlight how a benefit...

October 24, 2017

Just Get on Base

Without doubt, one of the most freeing pieces of advice on preaching I have ever...

October 20, 2017

Sermon Illustration: How’s Your Soul?

To kick off a 3-week series called â€œBeing Present with God,â€ I wanted to begin...

October 17, 2017

Great Sermon Series Idea

At the end chapter 12 of Jesus is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked...

October 13, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Old Spice

In an attempt to grab the congregation's attention, I flashed on the screens a picture...

October 10, 2017

Helping Those Who Think They Know God

I've written elsewhere my conviction and calling to preach to "churched" people. I want to...

October 06, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Twins

Without a doubt, the best book I have ever read on the Sabbath is Mark...

October 03, 2017

What A Dolphin Cruise Taught Me About Preaching

My oldest child loves dolphins. Let me rephrase that. My oldest child is amazed, enthralled,...

September 2017

September 29, 2017

Sermon Illustration: What’s Your Approach?

Recently I preached a message on approach to spiritual influence. We looked at Paul's approach...

September 26, 2017

What Is a Sermon?

In chapter 7 of Eugene Peterson's As KingFishers Catch Fire, he reveals how the book...

September 22, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Stay in Your Lane!

When I think of Arby's I think of two things: One, I think of delicious...

September 19, 2017

Contrast For Clarity

A preacher's job is to help people understand. Understand the meaning of a biblical text...

September 15, 2017

Sermon Illustration: Rest

Recently, the Campus Pastors of Brentwood Baptist preached a message aimed to help spiritual leaders...

September 12, 2017

Searching for Illustrations: Pay Attention!

Every preacher experiences two extremes. The incredible high of delivering a perfect illustration that makes...

September 09, 2017

Sermon Illustration: The Real Article

When officials are trained to detect counterfeit money, they do not study fake bills. Cops...