1 Peter 4:7-1 appears to be the final climactic section of the Apostle Peter’s letter. After all, it ends with a doxology and an Amen! Of course, it isn’t the end of the letter, it is a compact “manifesto” for church life in difficult times.

1 Peter 4:7-1 [ESV]

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.  8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  9 Show hospitality to one another...

I started writing this from an airport in Panama City, Panama. I was not supposed to be there, at least that was not the original plan.

I was traveling from Memphis, Tennessee to Quito, Ecuador for a preaching Institute.

Due to bad weather in the Memphis area, I flew out of Memphis to Miami a day earlier than originally planned - early on a Saturday morning.

There was no problem with or on the flight to Miami. The plan was to connect in Miami with a flight to Quito, Ecuador.  

The flight from Miami ...

What a privilege it is to be servants of the living God! How wonderful to be available for the service of the Lord!

Yes, ministry has its challenges, hardships, and problems but God is sufficient to see us through the various struggles we face.

Today, I want to address a matter that should not be a problem or a struggle, but it can be.

A friend of mine, who I hold in high esteem, recommended that I address the subject of plagiarism, especially in the preaching ministry.

These comments are b...

Preaching or teaching evangelistically from the Scriptures is very important. It is certainly possible and recommended to preaching or teach expository evangelistic messages.

Let’s consider a specific text: Acts 16:25-34.

Now the whole chapter, Acts 16, is relevant and should be studied, but the core of the message can be developed from verses 25-34. It is helpful to find a text that is easy to follow.

This is the account of the conversion of a Philippian jailor and his household. It is part of the...

In this busy and bustling season with special events, and lots of things to do, let’s take time not just to attend events, but to worship. Bend the knee. Humble ourselves. Give Him our lives as well as our gifts.

Read: Matthew 2:1-23

The whole of Matthew’s gospel presents the majestic and authoritative messiahship of Jesus. The first two chapters are inseparably related to the rest of the gospel. I remind you that this gospel ends with our Risen Lord Jesus Christ declaring that all autho...

Read: Matthew 1:1-2:17

In reading a book by Darrow L. Miller, Emancipating the World, I was challenged by an idea that he shared. He stated that culture is based on or begins with what we worship. Indeed, there is a sense in which people are wired to worship something.

One technical word for religious beliefs and practices is the word “cult.” We often use the word to refer to religious groups that are considered promoting error, but the word has a more general meaning. The cult is our wa...

This past Monday I was asked to speak at a memorial service for a dear Christian man who died quite abruptly due to illness. Recently this brother in Christ lived in another State, but previously he was a committed volunteer in the children’s ministry of my home church here in the Memphis area (Collierville).

I was asked to share some Biblical texts affirming our Christian hope, which I did gladly.

Comfort comes to us in the midst of grief knowing our certain and living hope in our Lord Jesus...

Greetings friend,

The sermon outlines by Dr. Stephen Olford (published bi-weekly on this blog) illustrate the depth and the breadth of Scripture. The outlines do this because they are on different texts and a variety of truths.

This leads me to share a planning tool with you.

A number of years ago I put together a simple form, a preaching plan. The form was made to make a point and a suggestion concerning the selection of texts for sermon preparation.

Let me explain it. 

The form lists ev...

Read Zephaniah 3:9-20

INTRODUCTION:
 
 

"What are we waiting for?” can be asked or exclaimed for any number of reasons.

The joyful closing section of Zephaniah reveals what God’s people in Zephaniah’s day were in fact waiting for. And what a glorious future is described, which encourages the Lord’s “seekers and waiters” to trust the Lord and persevere in anticipation. 

The Lord’s purpose of a transformed and restored people is affirmed with joy and rejoicing not only on the part of the people...

 Tap here to read Zephaniah 2:4-3:8

I think it would be safe to say that we are living in days of crises.