Richard Foster begins his book, Celebration of Discipline, with these challenging and penetrating words:

“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people or gifted people, but for deep people (Page 1, Harper & Row, Publishers; San Francisco, 1978).”

It seems that nowadays, we can be pulled in so many directions with responsibilities, relationships, commitm...

These were our participants at the Expository Preaching and Spiritual Growth Institute held at Prospect Baptist Church in North Carolina.

The Mission of Jesus Christ is the context for communicating Biblical truth today.

There are different aspects or phases of ministry that are well illustrated in the Book of Acts. I am not thinking of geographical phases of ministry but practical spiritual phases of ministry. One illustration of these phases is found in Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). These phases or “specifics” of ministry and mission can be viewed as functional contexts for communicating the Word of God.

So, tu...

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 quarantine restrict...

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 limited and inadequate. Biblica...

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 Apostle Paul addresses th...

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 journey has been granted and a...

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 ministry is real and it go...

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, even to death” (Mark 14:33, 34).

You sense H...