Preaching with Passion

IN THE TRUE SERMON there must always be passion. Our Lord’s testimony concerning John, His forerunner, was this: “He was a burning and a shining light” (John 5:35). It is one thing to shine; it is quite another to burn as well.

Half the sermons today—may I be forgiven if I am cruel—are failing because they lack the note of passion. A man was formerly said to “handle his text.” If he handles his text he cannot preach at all. But when his text handles him, when it grips and masters and possesses him, and in experience he is responsive to the thing he is declaring, having conviction of the supremacy of truth and experience of the power of truth, I think that must create passion.I am not arguing for mere excitement.

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But Mine Eye Spared Thee

Should there be but one verse in the Bible to unveil to us the heart of God towards His most beloved creation, this one would suffice. Perhaps one may complain that this particular verse is not direct speech from God, and therefore does not qualify for such an honor. To me, the very circumstances under which these words were uttered adds to, rather than diminishes, their power. Most of us know the story, so I will only highlight the peaks.

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The Influence of Family Worship on Children

Taken from The Family

There are many readers of these pages who, like the author, can go back to no period of recollection in which the worship of God was not duly observed under the parental roof; and they will agree in testifying that this is among the chief blessings for which they have to thank an ever-gracious Providence.

If called upon to name the principal benefit of the institution, we should indicate it’s benign operation on the children of the house.

The simple fact, that parents and offspring meet together every morning and evening for the Word of God and prayer, is a great fact in household annals. It is the inscribing of God’s name over the lintel of the door. It is the setting up of God’s altar.

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