Biblical Spirituality Press

Category: Sermon

  • Exercise Patience as You Listen to the Preaching of God’s Word

    Sadly, our culture has helped make us all far less patient than we need to be. We live in a world full of impatient people who demand instant gratification from those who serve them. I’m afraid this self-centered way of thinking has now become tolerated, or even accepted, in our local churches. As a result,…

  • Come Prepared as You Listen to the Preaching of God’s Word

    Because the preaching of God’s Word is the most significant and challenging part of public worship, it requires mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual participation from not only the pastor but also the listeners. For the pastor, preaching is an exhausting process. In fact, some think that preaching just one sermon is the equivalent of a…

  • Ten Ways to Listen to Sermons Better (Part 1)

    One crucial part of public worship—and often the longest part of each worship service—is the preaching of God’s Word. Without a doubt, this is the most important part of public worship since it is God’s primary means for saving sinners and sanctifying those who have already believed in Christ. Yet preaching is also the most…

  • Covenant Children Yet Children of Belial

    In 1 Samuel 2:12-21, we meet the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Pinehas, who were described as worthless. Yes, they were priests, but they were worthless. The actual wording for this text reads as follows, “And the sons of Eli were sons of worthlessness.” The word for “worthlessness” in Hebrew is belial, which derives…

  • “The Sixth Petition: ‘And lead us not into temptation’” (Matt. 6:13)

    Elizabeth Koetsier, a member of the congregation I pastor, provides a summary of the sermon I preached on March 1, 2015 during the morning service.   Depending on the context, the Greek word for “temptation” can be either translated as an enticement (evil temptation), or as an examination (good temptation). The word temptation in our…

  • Six Pieces of Advice for Preachers

    In her book The Great American Sermon Survey, Lori Carrell asks a group of listeners, “If you could get one message across to all preachers in the United States, what would it be?” The answers that she gets can be grouped into six sections:   1. “Make the message relevant and meaningful” (36%). “I keep…

  • Dedication, Doubt, & Declaration: A Graveside Service for Mrs. Joan Jacoba Elshout

    Note: This is a revised version of the message I delivered on May 13, 2013 at the grave-side service for my dear mother-in-law Joan Jacoba Elshout (March 6, 1949 – May 6, 2013). To read or print this message in a PDF file, click here.   Introduction Before proceeding to God’s Word, allow me to…

  • Titling Your Sermon for Maximum Impact: The Case for an Integrative Use of Titles (Part 1 of 2)

    By Dr. Jim Cowman (guest blogger)   The lowly sermon title is the most commonly undervalued and neglected part of a sermon, despite its many useful functions. Like an individual’s name, it specifically identifies the work.  It serves as a descriptive summary of the content.  And it can entice the audience in a variety of…

  • What Is Good About Affliction?

    The psalmist says in Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” What is good about affliction? I address this question in my sermon titled “Good To Be Afflicted” (Psalm 119:65-72). John Bunyan (1628–1688), author of the famous book The Pilgrim’s Progress, once said, “In times…

  • Top Twelve Reasons for Writing Out Your Sermon Manuscript

    By Dr. Jim Cowman (guest blogger) You can actually see, while you are writing, the progressive development of each part of the sermon and can alternately bolster each one to the highest quality, coherence and effect – regardless of the order of development. Any remaining weaker or missing elements will show up distinctly, crying out…