Category: Preaching

I recently came across this paragraph, written by Foy L. Smith. I believe it was written in 1963. It clearly states the attitude that gospel preachers should have toward their work. It also asserts the importance of sharing the gospel with others:

Brother, roll up your sleeves and thunder forth that message that rocked the hills and vales around the Jordan long ago — that pierced the hearts and convicted thousands on the day of Pentecost and subsequent days — that vibrated through the hills and valleys of Kentucky and Ohio in the days of the restoration, and that still thrills and influences the hearts of men when it is given its rightful place and emphasis! Preach it because you can do nothing greater. Preach it because you love it. Preach it because you are afraid not to preach it. And preach it exactly as it is written, neither fearing nor favoring men. Preach it every time you go into the pulpit like that time will be your last time. Preach it as “a dying man to dying men”

Foy L. Smith, Firm Foundation Vol. 80, Num. 5

The zeal revealed in the quote is one that is too seldom seen among God’s people. Are we apathetic? Paul said, “So as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel” (Romans 1:15). May we all emulate the great apostle!

The apostle Paul was very enthusiastic about the preaching of the gospel. He wrote to the Romans, “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:15-16).

In the apostle’s estimation, there was nothing more important than preaching the gospel of Christ. There was no force that could better effect change in the lives of saint and sinner alike. Opportunities to hear God’s word are precious, and should be coveted by each one of us.

We have such an opportunity to hear the gospel preached beginning next Saturday. Brother Chip Foster loves the truth of God, and has set himself to proclaim it in our presence. Opportunities will be available each day from May 5-10 to hear that gospel described by Paul as the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

You may have other things to do that week, but one thing is sure — there is nothing you can do that week that is more important than what God’s saints will be doing at the West Side building, or more beneficial to you and yours. So, how about it? Will you be there?

Acts 4 and 5 reveals the response of the apostles as they suffered persecution at the hand of the Jewish leaders. Rather than stop preaching at the command of the Sanhedrin, they continued to share the gospel, counting themselves fortunate to be found worthy to suffer for His name’s sake. This response should be echoed in Christians today.

Audio

The text of 1 Corinthians 9 is used to support the concept of financial support of preaching, and to establish the value of the preacher’s work.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The Lesson uses the text of Acts 13 and 14 (esp. 14:8-22, in Paul’s ministry in Lystra) to show how the preaching of the gospel will sometimes result in the salvation of men’s souls, and at the same time will sometimes lead to tribulation and trial. The moral? Preach the word, despite opposition!

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

On September 3, 1989 a 27 year old preacher from Odessa, TX preached his first sermon for the West Side congregation in Fort Worth, TX. He had a beautiful young wife, a 4 year old son, and a little girl just two months shy of her 3rd birthday.

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of that first sermon. In the intervening years there have been two more children, a lot of laughter and tears, the appearance of not a few grey hairs… and hopefully the seasoning and maturity of a preacher.

As we begin our 23rd year together, I wanted to take this opportunity to express my love for each of you. I appreciate the confidence you have shown in me, and the stand for truth you have taken through the years. During conflict and tribulation you have consistently shown a willingness to do what is right. You have never chafed at the preaching of God’s word, nor objected to the declaration of the “whole counsel of God” (cf. Acts 20:27). You have been kind to my wife and children, and allowed me to raise them in a stable environment that too few preachers enjoy.

In short, this congregation is in many ways exemplary. That is not to say that we have not had our share of troubles, nor that there is not much improvement that can be made—but in a day where too many have heaped to “themselves teachers, having itching ears” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3) you are to be commended for your love for truth.

I thank God every day for you, my brethren. I pray I will have many more years and opportunities to share with you my understanding of the treasures of God’s will.

Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell

Justin uses the song to illustrate the importance of sharing the Word of God with others. Who knows how much fruit will be born in the planting of a single seed?

Audio: Click Here .

The importance of the gospel in the salvation of man’s souls can not be overstated. The gospel of our Lord is Persuasive, Pervasive (as it impacts all aspects of our lives), Demonstrative (in the lives of faithful Christians), Declarative and Redemptive.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Peter intimates that his reason for writing this short epistle was the certainty he would soon die, “knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me” (vs. 14). So, he desired to remind them of certain important things. Things such as the need for maturity and growth, the hope of heaven, the trustworthiness of revelation, the danger of false teachers, and the faithfulness of the Lord’s promise of coming judgment.

These are things his readers already knew, “you know and are established in the present truth” (vs. 12). Yet, three times in this short passage he refers to the importance of reminding them of these truths. He said, 1) He was writing to remind them; 2) He would continue to remind them as long as he lived; and 3) He would ensure they would have a reminder of these things after he died.

This points out an important part of the work of preaching. Preaching is not only done to teach brethren what they do not know about God’s will; it is also done to remind them of what they do know, lest they be guilty of forgetfulness or neglect.

The sermon discusses the gospel (the foolishness of God), and expresses why, even as simple people, we can trust in our understanding of the meaning of, and the dependability of, His word. (Lesson based from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Occasionally I receive a bulletin called Preacher Talk written by Cecil May Jr. May is, I believe, the President of Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL, and a long time preacher among the institutional churches. He is a good writer, and wrote the following short article titled, Selective Preaching, in the May 2011 issue.

Continue reading “In the News: On “Selective Preaching”” →

In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul clearly expressed the serious nature of the work of preaching the gospel. He expected Timothy to take the work seriously, and accomplish the will of the Lord.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Meeting season has begun. As mentioned last Wednesday evening, the Old Granbury Road congregation is having brother Jimmy Stevens in a gospel meeting that begins today. Weeknight meeting time is 7:30 pm, through Friday.
Also, the Woodmont congregation has a meeting starting with brother Terrell Bunting next Sunday. If you are of a mind to travel that far, the Hewitt congregation (the Waco area) is having brother Maurice Barnett, also starting next Sunday.

Our own meeting begins in three weeks, and we need to begin our efforts in inviting others to come hear brother Kris Braddock preach the gospel. Area congregations will be more likely to attend our meeting if you have already been to theirs.

There is absolutely no better way to spend a weekday evening than in worship. You will be edified by the preaching efforts. So how about it? Will you be going to the meetings this season?

The West Side congregation supported brother Chip Foster in a recent preaching trip he took the the Philippines. Brother Foster preaches at the Old Granbury Road church of Christ in Granbury, TX. He was gone from February 21 – March 11, 2011. (Note: The powerpoint file is saved in the 2007 .pptx format, and is very large. 60 MB’s. It contains many photographs in it’s 105 slides).

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

In 2 Timothy 4:5, the Apostle Paul exhorted young Timothy, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” The admonition is serious, and any man who would take on the work should have an understanding of what God requires of him. It is also important that all Christians know what is the evangelist’s work.

Too many times I have heard the simplistic answer, “The evangelist is to evangelize!” The Greek word for evangelist means, “the bringer of good tidings … one who brings good news.” So, looking at the definition, the evangelist preaches the gospel to the lost. When this is contended, it is sometimes intended to limit the work of the evangelist to that single act, preaching to the lost.

Continue reading “The Work of an Evangelist” →