Introduction “But mark this,” writes Paul. “There will be terrible times in the last days” (2 Tim. 3:1). On the face of it, you would say this does not apply to us because our modern technological world has nothing in common with the ancient world. They walked and rode camels; we drive cars and fly […]
The psalmist exclaims in Psalm 84:1: “How lovely is your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts.” The word tabernacle means dwelling place. The tabernacle was the place that God chose to come down and meet with his people in the wilderness. The God of heaven and earth descended to meet with his people so that they […]
Fewer and fewer churches have an evening service these days. And in those that do, attendance is almost always better in the morning. Why is that? That’s obviously a huge question with lots of answers. Some have dropped the evening service for pragmatic reasons. People don’t come anyway, so why put all the work into […]
A few years ago I was about to preach for the first time in a certain church. As I began to arrange my papers and books I noticed a sign on the top of the pulpit. It was a quotation from John 12:21 in which it is recorded that certain Greeks approached Philip and said […]
Someone has said, “Preparation is half the battle.” How often do plans fail for lack of preparedness? How often are we like the young man I once observed speaking with the manager of a gas station about getting a job? He was wearing his pajamas; his hair was a mess. He looked like he had […]
Many young men recently graduated from seminary and are awaiting a call. How many of them, do you suppose, want to be removed from their ministry by means of discipline or because they cannot get along with their elders and congregations? I dare say that the answer would be: none of them. Of course not. […]
It is a few hours after church on Sunday. The phone rings. An excited voice on the other line announces: “You’ve been selected to win a million dollars. All you have to do is think about this morning’s sermon and tell me the theme, the main points and a few personal applications, and the million […]
Humor, idealism, and sanctified imagination are three rhetorical tools that most preachers make use of at one time or another. We will explore why they should be avoided. Humor in the pulpit rarely serves the intended purpose of illustrating the text of Scripture. Invariably, the only thing that it accomplishes is to cause those who […]
Esteemed Brothers in the Church of Christ: It truly is an honor and privilege that I may once again be present in your midst and address you as General Synod of the URCNA. The fact that I can address you in your broadest assembly with all your churches represented by its delegates makes this moment […]
Trinity United Reformed Church of Visalia, California, served as the convening consistory and host church for the United Reformed Churches in North America’s ninth meeting of the Synod. The pleasant surroundings of this central valley of California provided a warm atmosphere for Synod in both the climate and the mood of the delegates. The beautiful […]