Pastoral / Church Page
Quote of Note
The devil will let a preacher prepare a sermon if it will keep him from preparing himself.
-- Vance Havner
-- Vance Havner
Why Sermons need to be preached and not Pod Cast on the internet!
This message expresses a view that is seldom voiced. It is my opinion that preaching is something that is meant to occur on Sunday in a corporate worship setting, among the assembled people of the church. This article shows five reasons that sermons should not be broadcast on the internet, MP3's, Videos, Tapes etc. This may sound like something from outer space, but I firmly believe that if we are ever going to see revival, we have to abide by God's methods, which cannot be improved upon. God's method for preaching is that it happens on the Lord's Day, among the Lord's people, in church. Rebroadcasting is out, because it lacks Spirit and power. This might be a shocking study to some preachers who are addicted to having their sermons on the internet. Guess what? Church is where it's at, not headphones and an online video. There is no substitute, for God's man, doing God's work, God's way. CLICK HERE
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Non-doctrinal Fellowship?
 | This potent study is based upon a search term which I received on this site. I found the term "non-doctrinal fellowship" to be interesting, and to open up a slew of questions in my own mind. The study of the phrase, invoked a needed reinforcement of the idea that I have maintained sort of religiously myself, and that is the idea, that we should flee from any and all errors wherever and whenever we find them. I'm aware that there are no perfect churches or perfect people here on this earth, but our obedience to Christ should be perfect, in so much as is humanly possible, by the power of the Holy Spirit who works in us to make us like Christ and give us His mind and truth. We may not always understand, but we must always obey. This study was a blessing to me, if not to anyone else.
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Quote of Note
The Church that is married to the Spirit of the Age will be a widow in the next.
(Dean Inge 1860 - 1954)
(Dean Inge 1860 - 1954)
The church does not take directives from the world!
This short essay, concerns the alarming trend of churches tailoring their ministries and methods after the opinions of the lost. They take a survey of lost people, to find out what they think, and then they devise a program which will be attractive to them, and not be in any way offensive. This is a dangerous and dubious practice. Find out why.
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Believe what you are preaching, or don't preach!
A Quote by Spurgeon
“Oh, Beloved, if we are called to preach, we must believe what we preach, or else we had better give it up! “I believed, therefore have I spoken,” is a text which should be written over every minister’s study door, and over his pulpit, too.”
C.H.Spurgeon 1893, Sermon #2297
C.H.Spurgeon 1893, Sermon #2297
Pluralism and Toleration Examined!
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Called to The Ministry?
This is an extremely important study dealing with the question "How can a person know if he is called to the ministry?" Is it a matter of feelings? Is it some kind of voice that speaks to you? Is there a way to know with certainty? This is a Pastoral/Theological Study.
Notable Quote
"A faithful minister must see before he say."
EDWARD MARBURY
"A faithful minister must see before he say."
EDWARD MARBURY
What is the Gospel?
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 The Apostle Paul Preaching | What is the Gospel?
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What is the Gospel? (Part 3)
This important study, exposes a false gospel, and its demon inspired leader, as well as showing that the true gospel is about Christ and His grace, and not about what you know about doctrines. Gnosticism is pernicious today, just like it was in Paul's day. CLICK HERE
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 George Whitefield Preaching | What is the Gospel? (Part 4)
History has hundreds of examples of men who did nothing more than preach the gospel, and the power of God came, and transformed lives and great Revivals broke out. Today, we underestimate the power of the gospel, and because we do, we have drastically compromised it. We have watered it down to make it appealing to men, rather than preach it as it is. We have felt that programs and special types of services or music, is what our modern churches need, and preaching the real gospel, has almost disappeared from the evangelical scene. Well, the truth is: the gospel has no substitute. If we are not preaching it, nothing else can do God's work in the life of our congregations. When we return to the gospel, then and only then, will revival come to the churches. CLICK HERE
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What is The Gospel?
|  Gearge Whitefield Preaching |
Robert Murray M'Cheyne said:
"It is not so much great talents that God blesses, as great likeness to Christ."
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Notable Quote
"God has set a Savior against sin,
a heaven against a hell,
light against darkness,
good against evil,
and the breadth and length and depth and height of grace that is in Himself for my good,
against all the power and strength and subtlety of every enemy."
John Bunyan
a heaven against a hell,
light against darkness,
good against evil,
and the breadth and length and depth and height of grace that is in Himself for my good,
against all the power and strength and subtlety of every enemy."
John Bunyan
More About Altar Calls
This article discusses the Altar Call concept from more of a doctrinal approach. The doctrines of Scripture, Total Depravity, Sovereignty of God, Assurance of Salvation, Good Works, Christian Liberty and the Ordo Salutis are all discussed. For those of you who want to delve deeper into the question of Altar Calls, this is the article to read.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. |  |
C. H. Spurgeon Said: "Unless we have the spirit of the prophets resting upon us, the mantle which we wear is nothing but a rough garment to deceive. We ought to be driven forth with abhorrence from the society of honest men for daring to speak in the name of the Lord if the Spirit of God rests not upon us." |  |
Quote of Note
Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
 | When Entertainment and Amusement Replaces Sound Preaching
When it came to the centrality of sound Biblical preaching in church, Spurgeon knew what he was talking about. One of the greatest preachers the English language ever produced Listen to his brief but poignant comments on this. CLICK HERE.
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Is Church Attendance a Spectator Event?
This is not a long article. It was written way back in 1994, but is amazingly apropos for our day of the emerging church movement, mega-churches, and a completely new style of worship service, featuring spectator elements never before seen in church. Some modern churches are comparable to sporting events or theatrical venues. Rock and Roll, which was condemned by churches just 30 years ago has now almost universally replaced the hymnbook , choir and organ. Big Screens and theater seating, has reconfigured the sanctuary. This is not specific to the current emerging trends, because it was written before most of this newfangled stuff began invading the churches. This is a must read. CLICK HERE
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A Brief and Simple Study on Church Government
A Child Shall Lead Them
Churches seem to needlessly struggle with the problem of governance. It would be no struggle at all, if we simply followed the Biblical plan. But the Biblical concepts have been endlessly clouded by human inventions. Whether it be a top down hierarchy system like Rome's, a one man mini dictatorship like most fundamentalist churches, an endless parade of committees and boards for this and that, all these man-made things are doomed to difficulty. The Bible way is so simple it's scary. But it has worked for 2000 years, and it cannot be improved upon. Check it out.
R. L. Dabney said:
"The state of the pulpit may always be taken as an index of that of the church. Whenever the pulpit is evangelical, the piety of the people is in some degree healthy; a perversion of the pulpit is surely followed by spiritual apostasy in the church."
Warning About the Next 3 Articles
Please note: The next 3 articles might seem offensive, divisive, backward, and hurtful to some people, and that is not the intention here. The 3 articles present 3 historic view of women in ministry. They are historic documents, and are being presented to show the three viewpoints. If you stop reading at the first or second article, you will miss the point entirely. By the same token if you read the third article, without reading the first two, you will not have the information necessary to make an intelligent decision.
The first view is a historic Presbyterian view. The second view is a historic Baptist view, and the third view is also a historic Baptist view, but it is substantially quite different from the first two views, both in tone, Scriptural reasoning, and in appreciation for the great work which women have always done in in Service to the Lord. While there is no doubt that technically all three views can be supported by Scripture, and by equally sound exegesis, and indeed all have been adopted officially by various churches throughout history; my personal opinion, is that the third view is by far the most Scriptural, sane and practical view of the three. I think it is the correct view, and that it merits extremely careful study. Mr.Gordon allows for the full and free operation of the Holy Spirit, and the ministry of the of the all the Spirit's gifts in women equal with men, but he stops, (and I think this is Scriptural) with the office of Bishop or Pastor. His view does not allow the ordaining of women to be Pastors of Churches. I believe his reasoning and exegesis on this subject is far superior to the first two view. But I'm presenting all three so you can make up your own mind.
Women Preachers?
A Historic Presbyterian View
By Robert Lewis Dabney (1829-1898)
Dabney was a Southern Presbyterian theologian of great power and insight. This work is typical; of Dabney's great depth of thought and skilled handling of the Biblical issues. I present this to show that the Biblical view of the order of the sexes, especially as it relates to corporate worship, is not a new view. Dabney wrote this long before the currents of feminism and the modern effort to abolish gender specific language from the Bible. The truths of God's word are timeless, and do not vary from generation to generation. They are permanently etched on the pages of our Bibles. When people, groups, societies, trends, fads, and so called new-light comes along from age to age, we must judge and condemn the things that go against God's word, and we must never give in to the temptation to make God's word agree with our personal likes or dislikes, or the trends in society or liberal Bible-ignoring churches. CLICK
Should Women Speak in Church?
A Historic Baptist View
John A. Broadus, D. D., L.L.D., 1880
John Broadus was one of the most respected Southern Baptist Theologians of his day. I am not presenting his viewpoint in imaginination that there will ever be a return to this way of thinking. I am presenting it as a historic Baptist doctrinal position. Historically I thinkit is very important to know why our forebears believed and practiced certain things, and to understand how they thought. The words of this short statement, may actually seem curious and stange to our modern thinking, but if you follow his reasoning, you can see that he had good solid justifications for the way he thought and interpreted the Bibe on this question. Interesting reading. CLICK
The Ministry of Women
A more moderate Historic Baptist View
By A. J. Gordon Founder of Gordon College Pastor Clerendon Street Baptist Church, Boston
Here is a view from a man who was highly respected and of international influence at the latter half of the 19th century. A brilliant thinker, and pastor of one of the most influential pulpits in North America. My opinion is that this view is the most Scriptural, rational, and kind of the three view, and it seems to be the view which puts a premium emphasis on the Ministry and Gifts of The Holy Spirit in the New Covenant age. Please note, this article is a 15 page PDF file. CLICK HERE
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John Owen said:
"In preaching there is the need for an experience of the power of the truth in our won souls; if it does not dwell in power in us, it will not pass in power from us."
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C. H. Spurgeon said:
"Preach not calmly and quietly as though you were asleep, but preach with fire and pathos and passion."
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2Ti 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
C. H. Spurgeon said:
"If some men were sentenced to hear their own sermons, it would be a righteous judgment upon them; but they would soon cry out with Cain, "My punishment is greater than I can bear."
Is My Church Worldly?
In Reformed Baptist Fellowship on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 9:38 pm
. . . Where Christian faith is offered as a means of finding personal wholeness rather than holiness, the church has become worldly.
There are many other forms of worldliness that are comfortably at home in the evangelical church today. Where it substitutes intuition and feelings for biblical truth, it is being worldly. Where its appetite for the Word has been lost in favor of light discourses and entertainment, it is being worldly. Where it has restructured what it is and what it offers around the rhythms of consumption, it is being worldly, for customers are actually sinners whose place in the church is not to be explained by a quest for self-satisfaction but by a need for repentance. Where it cares more about success than about faithfulness, more about size than spiritual health, it is being worldly. Where the centrality of God to worship is lost amidst the need to be distracted and to have fun, the church is being worldly because it is simply accommodating itself to the preeminent entertainment culture in the world. Is it not odd that in so many church services each Sunday, services that are ostensibly about worshiping God, those in attendance may not be obliged to think even once about his greatness, grace, and commands? Worship in such contexts often has little or nothing to do with God.
David F. Wells, “Introduction: The Word in the World,” in The Compromised Church: The Present Evangelical Crisis, ed. John H. Armstrong (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1998), 31.
In Reformed Baptist Fellowship on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 9:38 pm
. . . Where Christian faith is offered as a means of finding personal wholeness rather than holiness, the church has become worldly.
There are many other forms of worldliness that are comfortably at home in the evangelical church today. Where it substitutes intuition and feelings for biblical truth, it is being worldly. Where its appetite for the Word has been lost in favor of light discourses and entertainment, it is being worldly. Where it has restructured what it is and what it offers around the rhythms of consumption, it is being worldly, for customers are actually sinners whose place in the church is not to be explained by a quest for self-satisfaction but by a need for repentance. Where it cares more about success than about faithfulness, more about size than spiritual health, it is being worldly. Where the centrality of God to worship is lost amidst the need to be distracted and to have fun, the church is being worldly because it is simply accommodating itself to the preeminent entertainment culture in the world. Is it not odd that in so many church services each Sunday, services that are ostensibly about worshiping God, those in attendance may not be obliged to think even once about his greatness, grace, and commands? Worship in such contexts often has little or nothing to do with God.
David F. Wells, “Introduction: The Word in the World,” in The Compromised Church: The Present Evangelical Crisis, ed. John H. Armstrong (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1998), 31.
Charles H. Spurgeon said:
"The power that is in the gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher; otherwise men would be the converters of souls. Nor does it lie in the preacher’s learning; otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach until our tongues rotted, till we would exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless the Holy Spirit be with the Word of God to give it the power to convert the soul."
Are we celebrating communion right?This is a short consideration of the question of whether or not there are non-essentials in the Christian Faith, and how we celebrate the Lord's Supper. This may be eye-opening to you.Click Here to read.
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Can't We All Just Get Along?
(author unknown)Testing the Spirits
Since the beginning of the church we have been called to test the spirits, as described in 1 Jn 4:1. There have always been vain philosophies and false witnesses. The church has had periods where error was called heresy and the price was death! Although there may have been extreme examples of punishment for error it seems as though we have come full circle and a stand for biblical truth is considered divisive. As the debates rage between the charismatic movement, the seeker friendly church, and now the emergent church we are faced with the challenge of discerning between the true church and the frauds. Read the rest of this article Click Here Download this articleClick Here |   |
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Notable Quotes
“Lord, help us who cannot preach to pray for the man who does! Have you, dear Friend, who cannot preach, made a point of praying for the pastor of the Church to which you belong? It is a great sin on the part of Church members if they do not daily sustain their pastor by their prayers!”— Charles H. Spurgeon, 1892, Sermon #2261
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