Expository Mutterings
Did you know I host a podcast on writing? I never thought anyone else would listen to it. But, you guys, I’m so encouraged by the emails and tweets, and even handshakes at conferences, from listeners. Thanks for listening. You are the reason I keep it going.
Bullies are the worst. When I see a kid being picked on by a bully, I barge in and confront the punk—even if it’s at the Chick-fil-a playground. (Yes, I really did confront a bully in the playground.) Church bullies are just as sinister. I can’t stand it.
“‘Teacher,’ they said to him, ‘this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?’” (John 8:4–5 CSB) The Bible Belt often presents a Jesus that is foreign to the faith once for all delivered to the saints. One of the […]
When a pastor, professor, or friend in the church falls from sexual sin, does it make a sound? Yes. And it’s louder than when a tree falls.
Who doesn’t love a lengthy list of difficult to pronounce names? I’m sure the genealogies sprinkled throughout the Old Testament are some of the most precious parts of the Bible to you. And I bet you’ve never passed over them in your Bible reading or in a sermon series. Record scratch Who am I kidding? […]
Book |bo͝ok| noun A written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers. A book is much more than pages chained together. A book is a portal to another dimension. A book is a life jacket in the storm. A book is a conduit for transformation. So, […]
Ministry titles abound in the church today. Student Pastor. Children’s Pastor. Creative Environment Pastor (No idea). Senior Pastor and Worship Pastor are pretty standard fair on the leadership page of a church’s site. And what is also becoming standard is the willy-nilly way people use the word pastor. I don’t think we should put Pastor […]
Offensive for offensiveness sake is really offensive.
Preachers walk the line every Lord’s day between offending and being a jerk. Brothers, I think the best to avoid being a jerk, is to just let the Bible say what it says. Don’t be afraid to watch the Spirit point out our unrighteousness or self-righteousness.
Zigging when the Bible is zagging is a bad route for Preachers to take. And dropping zingers out of spite, anger, or bitterness is also a scenic router Preachers must avoid. A wise preacher once said that the aim of our teaching is love from a pure heart.
Be Bold
Don’t back-peddle when the Bible stomps on the gas. God’s word is filled with challenging, convicting, perplexing, and downright offensive verses and truths. Teachers of God’s word will be tempted to soften the wallop with a what-this-really-means-is hot take on the offending verse of truth. Since we can’t silence a thunderstorm, we’ll just look silly trying.
Let the Bible be the Bible. It’s highly profitable for the people (2 Tim. 3:16–17). Don’t dull the sword. Don’t wrap your Bible in eggshells. When the Bible is roaring, roar with it.
Read the text with confidence. Point out the potent words. Lean into the tension, not away from it. Pattern yourself, not after your favorite podcaster, but after the Apostles.
Get Apostolic
Peter didn’t pump the brakes when he told the crowd, “You crucified the Son of God! It’s time to repent”. When’s the last time you called people to repeat, to turn from their sin and trust Jesus? I just checked the weather, and this Sunday looks like a great day to call people to Jesus.
Paul didn’t dilute his doctrine on Mars Hill when he told a group of idolaters about the only true God, the only one they aren’t worshipping. The crowds take offense to Paul’s points and his preaching of the risen Jesus. Get bold. Get apostolic.
You read the title right. Heaven and the New Earth won’t be a never-ending church service. Now, we will sing about his love forever, but it won’t be the only thing we do.
