Instruments in the Hands of God

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Matt Jury under Uncategorized

Ministers are mere instruments in the hands of God. The doctrines which they preach are not their own discoveries, and the power which renders their preaching successful is not in them.

Charles Hodge, A Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians, p. 51

God’s Favorite Method To Make Christ Known

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Matt Jury under Andrew Blackwood

God makes Himself known today supremely in Christ, that He does so through the Scriptures, and that His favorite method of making known the Christ who speaks in the Scriptures is through preaching.

Andrew Blackwood, The Fine Art of Public Worship, p. 2

The Privilege of Evangelism

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Matt Jury under Monroe Parker

It is a great privilege to be a soul winner. It is a privilege that angels covet. I believe the angels would be glad to leave their high estate and come down into this old sin and woe… if they might have the privilege of winning souls.

Monroe Parker (1909 – 1994)

The Pastor’s Goal

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Matt Jury under John C. Thiessen

The great end or aim of pastoral work is to help bring about a spiritual union between men and God, and then to help the one thus linked with God to live a life that is pleasing to God.

John C. Thiessen, Pastoring the Smaller Church, p. 20

Pastor, Are You Praying for Your Congregation?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Matt Jury under E. M. Bounds

A prayerful ministry is the only ministry that brings the preacher into sympathy with the people.

E. M. Bounds (1835-1913)

Pastor, You Have the Joy and Privilege To Preach!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Matt Jury under John Piper

[The] highest joy [of preaching] is in the great ambition that is set before it, the glorifying of the Lord and the saving of the souls of men. No other joy on earth compares with that. The ministry which does not feel that joy is dead.

John Piper, Desiring God, pp. 109-110

Pastor, What Are You Communicating?

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Matt Jury under John MacArthur

Nothing is wrong with the message. Nothing can be. It is God’s Word! If they don’t hear the truth, cool music won’t help. If they don’t like the message, drama and video won’t help. Our task is to go on preaching repentance and submission to Christ Jesus as Lord.

John MacArthur, Hard to Believe, p. 49

Pastor, Do You Want Cheap or Fruitful Ministry?

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Matt Jury under J. Oswald Sanders

All spiritual ministry flows from the reality of our knowledge of God and the vitality of our fellowship with Him and His Son. A successful, fruitful ministry does not just happen — it is purchased. And the more influential the ministry, the steeper the price. It cannot be paid with a lump sum; we pay for it in gradual increasing installments. There is no such thing as a cheap, fruitful ministry.

J. Oswald Sanders, Enjoying Intimacy with God, p. 118

The Essential Quality of Spiritual Leadership

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Matt Jury under F. W. Krummacher

The first and essential quality of a herald of the Gospel is ever a thorough broken and contrite heart for it is only after having obtained mercy as guilty criminals, that we are in a position to ‘strengthen the brethren.’

F. W. Krummacher, The Suffering Saviour, p. 88

Truth Divides People

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Matt Jury under John MacArthur

The truth divides people. The more fundamental the truth, the deeper and wider the division. The goal of Christian preaching — the goal of presenting the Gospel, the goal of the church — is not just to open the door so wide that we suck everybody in and make them feel comfortable. The goal is to preach the truth to as many people as possible, so that we can sort out the true from the false.

John MacArthur, Hard to Believe, p. 173

Life Is Worship

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29.2)

Tag Archives: Pastoring

Instruments in the Hands of God

Ministers are mere instruments in the hands of God. The doctrines which they preach are not their own discoveries, and the power which renders their preaching successful is not in them.

God’s Favorite Method To Make Christ Known

God makes Himself known today supremely in Christ, that He does so through the Scriptures, and that His favorite method of making known the Christ who speaks in the Scriptures is through preaching.

The Privilege of Evangelism

It is a great privilege to be a soul winner. It is a privilege that angels covet. I believe the angels would be glad to leave their high estate and come down into this old sin and woe… if they might have the privilege of winning souls.

The Pastor’s Goal

The great end or aim of pastoral work is to help bring about a spiritual union between men and God, and then to help the one thus linked with God to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Pastor, Are You Praying for Your Congregation?

A prayerful ministry is the only ministry that brings the preacher into sympathy with the people.

Pastor, You Have the Joy and Privilege To Preach!

[The] highest joy [of preaching] is in the great ambition that is set before it, the glorifying of the Lord and the saving of the souls of men. No other joy on earth compares with that. The ministry which does not feel that joy is dead.

Pastor, What Are You Communicating?

Nothing is wrong with the message. Nothing can be. It is God’s Word! If they don’t hear the truth, cool music won’t help. If they don’t like the message, drama and video won’t help. Our task is to go on preaching repentance and submission to Christ Jesus as Lord.

Pastor, Do You Want Cheap or Fruitful Ministry?

The Essential Quality of Spiritual Leadership

The first and essential quality of a herald of the Gospel is ever a thorough broken and contrite heart for it is only after having obtained mercy as guilty criminals, that we are in a position to ‘strengthen the brethren.’

Truth Divides People