The permanent pleasure of reading, studying, preaching, writing and applying to life God’s Word suffuses this preacher’s life. At 84 years the above challenges never fail to summon effort and perseverance. Not a day passes, whether writing a blog, a message or a lesson, but that the privilege inspires.
This writer preaches Biblical messages: that is, Biblical throughout, not Biblical as pegs on which to hang homiletical points. Biblical in that he first explains a text in its historical context, addressing people of its time and circumstance. Then, true to the historical context, draws lessons for everyday life. A formula that produces a consistently Spirit-filled appeal. For no Biblical context exists for its time that doesn’t also apply forcefully for all time, including ours. He presently preaches a series on Heaven. While feeling unqualified to deal with such a mystical, mysterious subject, he finds new insights with every effort. That encourages continued study and prayer: study to understand, prayer to spiritually illuminate the understanding. Having a practice of strict Bible-filled messages, everyday life and historical personalities serve as illustrations. Personal illustrations are sparingly used for a simple reason: their very nature has a limited impact, while God has broadcast examples throughout history. In the lives of believers and skeptics, the obedient and rebellious, the righteous and the wicked. They serve as examples of truth to be embraced, falsehoods to be avoided, and interpretations to be corrected. Why reap pecks of personal examples when long tons of instruction await the harvest of history? Remember a singular illustration. After Alexander Campbell had debated skeptic Robert Owen to a standstill, and Owen’s unbelief had nothing more to say, Campbell began a defense of Christianity. It went on for 12 hours, interrupted only to give listeners short breaks before continuing. Twelve hours BEYOND doubt, hopelessness and human corruption he went...to faith in God, hope in Christ and the certainty of a new body and mind when the Returned Christ opens the New Jerusalem with its new heavens and earth to God’s people Revelation 21-22. Only people of FAITH reap those spiritual rewards. Believers in Christ know that death closes our eyes to this world only seconds before God opens them to HIS. Just as God closed Saul’s eyes on the Damascus road to his limited Jewish perspective before opening his mind to the eternal, limitless majesty of the Glorified Christ. Amen. Fini
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