I have been thinking a lot about endurance these days. This is partly because of the experience we all have had these past years of the pandemic. It certainly gives us a reason and context for endurance. Also, we have seen many wonderful examples of people serving under very stressful conditions and displaying endurance that is worthy of recognition and reward. Likewise, we know that many people are trying to endure as they struggle with the serious impacts that the virus and...

Singing A New Song

Text: Revelation 5:1-14

To get a better handle on our situation on earth, it helps to get a fresh vision of what’s happening in heaven.

We don’t do this to escape our responsibilities, we do this to gain a better perspective, a better of picture of God, and greater courage to face the present challenges of our world. Having only an earth-bound perspective can lead to pessimism and even despair.

Ultimately an “earthbound” perspective is...

I hope that you celebrated Christ’s resurrection joyfully this past Sunday. Resurrection is at the heart of the Christian life and message. If there is any doubt about the reality of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ needs to be the focus of attention.

The Apostle Paul’s thorough presentation concerning Christ’s resurrection and the resurrection of all Christians was prompted by some in Corinth who denied that there was any resurrection for anyone. So, the...

Part Three: Encouragements to Embrace  

CHAPTER 13 Trust His Sovereignty and Sufficiency 

One of the popular metaphors for life these days is “the journey.” When people speak of being on a journey, the emphasis is often on the experiences and the process they are going through rather than their final destination.

The Christian journey certainly includes experience, process, development, and growth. But the final destination is clear and certain. Furthermore, the...

Expository Preaching and Spiritual Growth Institute

May 9-12, 2023 

Prospect Baptist Church
Albemarle, North Carolina

Register at http://www.prospectbaptist.com/omi.html

Part Three: Encouragements to Embrace  

CHAPTER 12 Do Not Lose Heart 

Over the last twenty years or so, I have met many people in ministry who are discouraged. On numerous occasions people have come to one of our seminars or training events really needing to be encouraged and strengthened to persevere through hard times.

I remember specifically one couple sharing their pain. The wife shared verbally, while the husband just shook with emotion, speechless. The pain in...

Part Three: Encouragements to Embrace  

CHAPTER 11 Live by Faith 

Certainly one of the critical moments in our Lord’s earthly life was the time in Gethsemane before His arrest and all the events of His passion.

Despite the presence of the disciples, the Son of God (in a very real sense) was alone with His Father in moments of agony and surrender. The Lord was “troubled and deeply distressed,” and He said that His “soul [was] exceedingly sorrowful,...

Part Two: Responsibilities to Fulfill 

CHAPTER 10 Multiplying Yourself 

Have you ever received a boxed product that had a little slip of paper or sticker inside with a name or number on it? I have. The name or number represented the person responsible for the inspection of the item or product sent. In short, that name or number indicated that the item was indeed “send-able.” Someone had inspected the item and authorized that it be sent out.

In Philippians...

Part Two: Responsibilities to Fulfill 

CHAPTER 9 Praying for Others 

I suppose it is possible to be a gifted leader, generally speaking, without a vital prayer life. But in the life of the Christian leader, the role of prayer cannot be overestimated. It is not possible to be a faithful Christian, much less a Christian leader, without prayer.

The Old Testament, of course, is full of examples of fervent and effectual prayer, especially voiced by chosen leaders, whether...

Part Two: Responsibilities to Fulfill 

CHAPTER 8 Persevering in the Will of God 

After the great and glorious years of David and Solomon, after the divided kingdom period, after the two exiles of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms due to sin and disloyalty, after the return of many of God’s people to Jerusalem and the surrounding country—when Israel was still under foreign control—something monumental happened in Sushan, Persia.

While serving as...