Preaching Archives - Blogging Theologically

Weekend reading (8/05)

August 5, 2017 by Aaron Armstrong

8 tips to help you disciple your kids

Great stuff from Brian:

I think that is how many parents feel when it comes to discipling our kids. We know that we should disciple our kids—it is one of our primary ministries as parents (Deut. 6:4-9)—and we want to, but when it comes to actually doing it, we feel lost. Where do we begin? What do we say? Do I really know enough myself? And so, because of our overwhelming feeling of inadequacy, we tell our kids to listen to their leaders at church and do what they say.

This is understandable, but it doesn’t have to be this way. It can’t be this way. Discipling our kids is far too important to hand off to others—as godly and loving as they may be. And that takes us back to our primary concern—we know we need to disciple our kids and we want to do it, but how do we actually do it? Here are eight tips to help you disciple your kids.

A Millennial Anomaly? Why I’m Still In Church

Emily Gehman:

Hi, I’m Emily, and I’m an anomaly. (Hiiii, Emily.) I’m a Millennial who’s staying in church. I understood (and believed) the gospel when I was just 4, and I’ve been going to church ever since. Sure, I’ve thought about leaving more than once. But let’s just be honest—we all have, haven’t we?

So what’s keeping me, a Millennial—The Generation of Lost Sunday School Boys and Girls—in church? Three things, really. While I can’t speak for all Millennials everywhere, I can tell my story.

Fighting with Ed Stetzer, Becoming Friends Again, and Lateral Leadership

Eric Geiger:

Ed and I were friends before I moved to Nashville. When I served as an executive pastor in Miami, I brought him to our church several times to teach and train our staff. We wrote articles together and enjoyed meals together in different cities where we happened to be speaking alongside one another. Ed was also one of the vice presidents at LifeWay, so when I joined the team there, I was excited to be working alongside him.

But we clashed early on. Pretty hard. I could tell he was frustrated with me, and I was frustrated too. There was tension in the air and it was not fun like I envisioned it being.

The Altar of “Progress”

John Knight:

The desire to alleviate pain and suffering is, of course, laudable. My family (and yours) has experienced the common graces found through medicine, surgeries, and therapy. For centuries, curious doctors and scientists, many of them Christians motivated by a desire to help people, have explored the causes of disease while searching for cures. Ultimately, human subjects must be part of these experiments.

Preaching Under Pressure

HB Charles Jr:

On the other side of leadership challenges over the years, I believe that you have not really learned to preach until you preach through a storm. Unending sunshine creates shallow pulpits. Preaching through a storm anchors the pulpit to the tried and proven word of God.

A Stolen Frog and the Future of Free Speech Online

Chris Martin:

The internet hate and bigotry that gained mainstream attention in the 2016 presidential has existed for years in the deep, dark corners of the internet. But its newfound fame has drawn attention toward the matter of free speech and the internet. What is permissible, what is not, and how do we proceed into the future?

Accidental double agents in the pulpit

A favorite from the archives:

One should quickly and easily see the problem with this kind of thinking. Whether we’re using this concept in thinking about our own growth in godliness, encouragement to fellow believers, or in ministry to the lost, it is a failure to recognize that everything does depend on God, both in prayer and in practice.

Praying as though everything depends on God is right and true—but we also must work as though everything depends upon Him. Because everything does.

Weekend reading (7/22)

July 22, 2017 by Aaron Armstrong

Why Our Church Only Has a $300 Advertising Budget and I Celebrate That

Mike Leake:

I continue to be amazed at the growth in our children’s and youth ministry. We shattered our churches previous records for VBS this year with 185 unique children coming through our doors. (Take that word “unique” however you want). We continue to see around 150 kids on Wednesday evenings as well. One of the reasons I am amazed to see this is that we do zero advertising for our children’s and youth ministry. And I intend to keep it this way.

Don’t Hide Behind a Smiling Emoji

Kristen Hatton:

Fun emojis and perfect social media presences have a way of convincing us everyone else is doing great and fully succeeding in life, love, and happiness. Of course, this is rarely the case. But when we compare our actual reality to others’ online reality, we feel worse about ourselves, and we strive all the harder to keep up.

You Have No Heart

Joshua Jenkins:

“You have no heart! You are heartless!”

These are phrases we often hear in response to someone who has just done or said something we consider to be quite inhumane or inconsiderate of another human being. The phrase is meant to convey the idea that the human heart is loving, kind, compassionate, and considerate. So, if someone acts in a way that is contrary to those things, they are considered to be without a heart.

The 5 C’s of Preaching

Jared Wilson:

How do you know you’re preaching a Christian sermon and not simply giving a religious or spiritual lecture?

While I think gospel-centered expository proclamation is the best approach to fulfilling the biblical call to preach, this exercise could probably use some more filling out. And since preachers like alliteration and lists, I thought I might suggest a checklist reflecting what I propose to be the irreducible complexity of true Christian preaching. Next time you’re preparing a sermon, maybe keep these questions in mind. Or, after the next time you preach, share this list with your fellow elders or another team of trusted advisers and ask them to apply the questions to your delivered message.

3 Things You Might Be Mistaking for Love

Michael Kelley:

I’m not arguing that we need to discontinue using the word. I am arguing, however, that the context in which we use it might show us what we really believe love is. And to go further, it’s likely, given our prolific use of the word, that we might have at best a misunderstanding and at worst a dilution of what “love” actually means.

Remember the Rural: Does Modern Church Planting Overemphasize the City?

Michael Kruger:

Most church planters, it seems, want to go urban, not rural. There are many positives about this focus on cities. Certainly, and most obviously, cities are filled with lots of people, and for that reason alone make a good target for church plants. There are also strategic considerations: targeting leaders and influencers—many of whom are located in major cities—makes a lot of sense.

Changing opinions on abortion when legislation isn’t an option

A favorite from the archives:

In the hospitals where our children took their first breaths, innumerable were (and are) never given the chance to take theirs. Christians and all Canadians who are opposed to abortion have no ability to challenge our government to reconsider. We are forced to live with death. We might not be happy about it. We might accompany a small group of people and hold up a sign, but we also recognize that doing so won’t change the fact that there’s (currently) nothing we can do to change the legal situation.

So where does that leave us?

Links I like (7/20)

July 20, 2017 by Aaron Armstrong

Doers and Delegators

Tim Challies:

Successful Christian churches, ministries, businesses, and organizations are dependent upon people who are willing to serve. They thrive when people humble themselves to carry out whatever tasks need to be done. The high-powered lawyer and the struggling small business owner unite when they step into the church and serve shoulder-to-shoulder to brew the coffee and mop the floors. Their actions prove them to be leaders in godly character.

We need this kind of leadership, this leading by doing. No church or other organization can last long without it. We are right to honor those who exemplify it.

Learning to Talk About Disability

Lucy Crabtree:

We, as a Church, are just now learning to talk about disability, and like children with limited vocabularies, we sometimes stumble over our words. When children do it, it’s adorable. Like when my nephew started calling me Tutu instead of Auntie Lu, as I originally dubbed myself. But when we are clumsy with our words in discussions about disability, the stakes are much higher. What we say or write can either build up the Church by drawing in a person with a disability or weaken our unity by pushing someone (or their family) with a disability away. Even when we intend to be kind, our inexperience may lead us to say things that actually do more harm than good.

While preparing that sermon or drafting that article, here are four things to keep in mind when talking about disability.

Brother Must Trump Boss

Eric Geiger:

When it comes to issues of integrity, the family of God must trump an org chart. On issues of character, being a brother must weigh more than being or not being the boss. When it comes to integrity, the commands in Scripture must trump the channels of communication in an organization.

Bosses who are in sin need brothers to confront them.

Yes, it is risky. To initiate the awkward conversation feels like you are putting friendship and even more on the line.

Pray for Forgetfulness

Brandon Freeman:

There is a kind of forgetfulness, however, that should be pursued and prayed for: self-forgetfulness. This is not to say that any self-reflection before, during, or after the sermon is to be completely avoided. In fact, sermon reviews done well can be extremely beneficial and humbling. It is to say though that the most God-honoring, people-serving preaching is preaching absorbed with God and Bible-expounded truth, not the preacher himself.

Insecure and the Need for More Authentic Friendships

This was an interesting piece by Kathryn Freeman.

4 Essentials for Spiritual Maturity

R.Kent Hughes:

When the New Testament addresses spiritual maturity, it uses the common Greek word teleios, which means “perfect” or “complete.” When it is applied to Christian growth, it indicates spiritual maturity in contrast to childlike immaturity as, for example, in this command from Paul: “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature (teleioi).” (1 Cor. 14:20; see also Heb.5:13–6:1). Sometimes it indicates perfection, as in Jesus’ summary command in the Sermon on the Mount: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect” (Matt.5:48). Spiritually, it always references solid, biblically informed understanding and conduct in Christ—spiritual adulthood.

It’s not home anymore

A favorite from the archives:

We’d spent the last five years in that townhouse. Like London, it wasn’t perfect, but it was home (or at least as close to it as either of us have ever felt). It was where we landed after selling our home. Where we waited for God to send us to wherever we thought we were supposed to go. We brought Hudson home to this house. It was the only one he and Hannah ever really knew. Where Abigail lost her first tooth. Where we saw God work through us and in us in some pretty cool (and often painful) ways.

We laughed, we fought, we told silly stories, we cried…

Sure, we made fun of it a lot. Even so, it was home.

Then, in an instant, it wasn’t.

Links I like (6/29)

June 29, 2017 by Aaron Armstrong

2 Signs You’re an Insecure Leader

Chad Williams:

Insecurity is a heart/identity issue that is uniquely manifested in how we lead others. Every leader struggles with it in some way due to both the demanding nature of leadership and the depraved nature of our own hearts. Leadership drags out our insecurities because leadership is a difficult and public enterprise. As a result, we feel the pressure to have all the answers, to make great decisions, and to generally make those that follow us feel secure.

At its core, insecurity is a sinful response to the reality that the only leader who actually has it all together is actually Jesus. So, what does insecurity look like in the life of a leader? There are many possible manifestations, but for the sake of brevity, I will share a couple of tell-tale signs.

When Christian Comfort Hurts More Than It Helps

Gaye Clark:

What’s God been teaching you? The same question had slipped out of my own mouth when I sought to point an afflicted friend to Christ. But being on the receiving end of the question, particularly at a time when rational thought took profound effort, I had another perspective. It sounded like inquisition.

Stop Trying to Preach a Home Run

Chad Lengyel:

I have a friend named Larry. I won’t mention his age, but let’s just say Larry can remember life before the Internet was invented. When you are a young pastor, you need a man like this in your life. Although I was once Larry’s pastor, he often pastored me.

When I left the Bible Belt to take a new church in the Pacific Northwest, Larry gave me his best piece of advice on preaching: “Chad, don’t try to hit a home run every Sunday. Just get a man on base. Week in and week out, just get a man on base. After a while, you’ll start bringing people home.”

My 3 Big Fears in Parenting Teenagers

Trevin Wax:

On Sunday, I baptized our oldest son Timothy. He also turned 13. I mention the baptism before the birthday because it matters more.

But I don’t want to give the impression that the thirteenth birthday is insignificant. It’s the year that English-speakers move into what we call the “teen years.” We officially have a teenager at home, a soon-to-be eighth grader who is about to overtake me in height (admittedly, not a hard marker to meet!).

Last week, a friend asked me about my biggest fears in parenting during this next phase of life. Here are the three that came to mind.

Announcing The Gospel Project’s New Managing Editor

Big news for our team!

Dwight K. Schrute, Politeness, and the Pursuit of Hospitality

Allyson Todd:

Though The Office is far from real life, Christians often treat their relationships much like Andy and Dwight. You buy me coffee, I make a mental note to get you back next time. I come watch your kids, you feed me dinner. You give me a compliment, I give one right back. “Do not test my politeness,” says Andy.

People who don’t know Jesus are able to say, “thank you” and buy the next dinner. Politeness is not all that difficult. Christians, though, are called to pursue hospitality from an understanding of unity.

How helpful is the Christian confessional?

A favorite from the archives:

Sometimes, though, I wonder if the Christian confessional is just another attempt to have the appearance of godliness without actually having to be godly. It’s like confessing generic issues in a small group— “Gosh, y’know, I’m just really wanting to follow God’s will for my life, but it’s a struggle. Pray for me, if you don’t mind.” Now, there are definitely times when you need to be a little more vague than even you might prefer—especially if you’re in a place where you’re not sure what’s actually wrong, but you’ve just got a sense that something’s off—but it’s easy to use this kind of thing to give you a pass from actually repenting of anything at all.

It’s like saying “mistakes were made,” or “I’m sorry you felt that way,” which is really just having the appearance of contrition without a contrite heart. And the thing that is so deadly is that most of us wouldn’t even be able to recognize that’s what’s going on. But that’s how pride deceives us, isn’t it?

Links I like (6/27)

June 27, 2017 by Aaron Armstrong

Loving the People You Love to Hate

Jared Wilson shares about his latest read-through of Mere Christianity.

The Church’s Biggest Challenge in 2017

Mark Galli:

In fact, prejudiced evangelicals are cause not for rejection but love that goes the extra mile. If they are believers who don’t go to church, the first step might be to invite them back. If they are already in church, they are ripe for discipleship. Go therefore and teach them to observe all things whatsoever our Lord has commanded us—which includes the love of the neighbor, who is often someone we’re tempted to despise (as in the parable of the Good Samaritan). In most cases, pastoral patience and care is needed; in others, church discipline that leads to repentance. But in either case love, not shame or rejection, has to win the day. To love the racist does not mean we give him a pass. Love bears all things, but it also confronts when necessary, just as Jesus demonstrated with both his enemies (religious leaders) and his closest friends (Peter).

Why a Church Playground Matters for Religious Liberty

This is an important story to follow. Which, of course, means that there will be many articles about it, mostly assuming that it’s an attack on separation of church and state (which the ruling is not).

4 Harmful Impacts of Leaders Who Need to Be Liked

Eric Geiger:

Typically genuine and kind and reasonable people like being liked. They don’t wake up in the morning wondering if they can cause a new person to hate them today. But needing to be liked is different. When someone needs approval from others, the person is willing to sacrifice conviction and do anything to earn that approval. Leaders who need to be liked adversely impact those they are leading.

The Bittersweet Parting

David Murray:

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” This is one of William Shakespeare’s most oft-quoted lines. What few realize is that it was uttered in the context of Juliet saying goodnight to Romeo “till it be tomorrow.” The sorrow of that parting was sweetened by the knowledge that it was only for a few hours.

3 Reasons Why I Quote the Church Fathers When I Preach

Trevin Wax:

Quoting people in sermons can be challenging, no matter what era of church history you pull from. A sermon is an act of exposition intended to evoke exultation and conclude with exhortation. That is, we expound on the biblical text, seeking to lead our congregation to experience a worshipful awe at these truths, which provides the fuel for exhorting them to obey King Jesus. Quotes can either enhance that process or hinder from it. (If you quote so often or in a way that it sounds like you’re reading an essay with footnotes, you’re doing it wrong.)

But here’s why I quote often from the church fathers and why I recommend you consider doing so as well.

Memorizing Scripture is easier (and harder) than you think

A favorite from the archives:

At one point, I had the entire book of Philippians memorized. Basically, I spent several weeks working through individual verses using a combination of writing and speaking to help make them stick. The great news is, it worked. The bad news is I didn’t keep up with it. And because I didn’t, I lost it. I still have pieces of it floating around, but I can’t say with integrity that I still have it memorized. At best, I have a strong familiarity with it, which is better than nothing.

We talk about memorization a lot at my house. Emily and the kids recently memorized the Apostles’ Creed. They did it using a song, which is a great approach. So now, when they recite it, the girls actually sing it, which is kind of fun. And this got me thinking about how easy and difficult it is to memorize Scripture.

It’s taken me years, but I finally understand that nothing about my womanhood is at odds with my mind. If anything, being female lends me a unique perspective that my male intellectual counterparts lack. My parenting, too, has shifted with these concerns in mind. A few weeks ago, I observed as my ten-year-old son took a battery of achievement and IQ testing. When the proctor finally met with me, he confirmed that, yes, just like his mother, my son will probably always analyze everything. I couldn’t help but wonder how his experience of his own intelligence will be different from mine. Will his giftedness open doors for him in ways it hadn’t for me as a girl? Will I be tempted to parent him differently than I parent my daughter, who also excels academically?

It was an abomination

In other news, water is wet.

Why I Use “We” More Often Than “You” When Preaching

Marty Duren:

I need correction and admonition as much as any brother or sister in Christ. My role as a pastor does not make me less in need of instruction, but more.

My choice of words when preaching either reveals this awareness or reveals my lack of that same. If, as the old saying goes, the ground is level at the foot of the cross, I should not seek an acclivity from which to preach down on the gathered crowd.

One Very Good Reason to Study Church History

Tim Challies:

When you became a Christian, the history of Christianity became yours. You became a citizen of Christ’s kingdom and gained its past in all its glory and shame. The early church is your early church. The Church Fathers are your church fathers. The Reformation is your Reformation. The rise of Evangelicalism is your rise of Evangelicalism. On a less positive note, the religious wars and persecutions are yours, as are the advocacy of slavery and the apathy toward abuse within the church. You are right to feel pride over the church’s accomplishments as she has stood fast in the face of trial and error, carrying out the Great Commission given to her. You are right to make these accomplishments known and to attempt to ensure there are many more like them. Likewise, you are right to feel sorrow and even shame over the church’s transgressions and to work equally hard to ensure she never succumbs to such sins again.

Our Minds Are Like Baking Stone

Erik Raymond:

I often think about that baking stone when I consider our pursuit of sanctification. Our minds are to be like baking stones seasoned by the promises of God in the Bible. The daily exposure to the Scriptures should seep into everything we do. Throughout our days, we are to retain the flavor of who God is, what he has done, and what he has promised.

The Covenant of Candy

David Murray:

My greatest passion in life is to teach profound biblical truth simply; to take the deepest theological doctrines and explain them in a way that a child could understand. That’s what constantly motivates and shapes my preaching and teaching. It probably adds about 2-3 hours of work to every sermon I preach as I struggle mightily to simplify, simplify, simplify.

Three questions I really hope will be answered in the new creation

A favorite from the archives:

Y’know, one of the things I’m looking forward to about the new creation is the opportunity to ask a whole lot of questions. And I don’t mean that in the “When I get to heaven, I’m gonna have a word with Jesus” way, either, because while that’s cute and all… no.

Seriously though, I have a ton of questions I would love to have answers to eventually. They’re not questions which affect my faith all that much. They’re the curiosity ones about events in history, the background of certain books of the Bible, and how Jesus really feels about King James Only-ism… (Kidding. I’m pretty sure I already know that last one.) But of those, there are three that, at this moment anyway, I’d love to have an answer to eventually.

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