Jojo Agot

Preaching Moments

R. Kent Hughes, in his introduction to the Preaching the Word Commentary of the Bible:

There are times when I am preaching that I have especially sensed the pleasure of God. I usually become aware of it through the unnatural silence. The ever-present coughing ceases and the pews stop creaking, bringing an almost physical quiet to the sanctuary– through which my words sail like arrows. I experience a heightened eloquence, so that the cadence and volume of my voice intensify the truth I am preaching.

There is nothing quite like it– the Holy Spirit filling one’s sails, the sense of his pleasure, and the awareness that something is happening among one’s hearers. This experience is, of course, not unique, for thousands of preachers have similar experiences, even greater ones.

Continue reading Preaching Moments

Pursue Edification and Worship

John Piper on pastors who use churches as studios:

Serve your people with your best energy. Serve your people with full affection. Serve your people with focused attention. Feed your flock with the food they need. Don’t give them generic messages for a generic audience. And if God means for you to have a wider impact because of what you are saying to your sheep, let others draw that out. You just be so faithful. Love your people. Serve your people. Feed your people. Beware of the addicting dangers of being widely known. Don’t pursue that. Pursue truth. Pursue edification and worship. Pursue your flock and let the ripples take care of themselves.

The Most Moving Story

A. W. Tozer on the most moving story in all of literature:

A group of literary men was talking about pathos in literature. They were discussing books that moved you to tears. Matthew Arnold said of Burns that his poetry was so poignantly beautiful, piercingly pathetic, that it was hard sometimes to read because it wounds you so deeply. Somebody asked Mr. Dickens what literature he thought had the most pathos. “Oh,” he said, “there is no question– the story of the Prodigal Son. There is nothing like it in all literature.”

Ordinary People Aren’t Fools

CS Lewis in Mere Christianity:

Everyone had warned me not to tell you what I am going to tell you in this last book. They all say “the ordinary reader does not want theology; give him plain, practical religion.” I have rejected their advice. I do not think the ordinary reader is such a fool. Theology means “the science of God,” and I think any man who wants to think about God at all would like to have the clearest and most accurate ideas about Him which are available. You are not children; why should you be treated like children?

Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I do not get involved with things
too great or too difficult for me.
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself
like a little weaned child with its mother;
I am like a little child.
–Psalm 131:1-2 (HCSB)

God, settle the raging panic of my heart. Help me to trust that you are Sovereign over the twists and turns of my life.

In the Very Midst of Life

In the very midst of life, snares of death surround us. Who shall help us in this strife, lest the foe confound us? Thou only, Lord, Thou only.

In the midst of death’s dark veil, powers of hell overtake us. Who will help when they assail? Who secure will make us? Thou only, Lord, Thou only.

In the midst of utter woe, when our sins oppress us, where shall we for refuge go? Where for grace to bless us? To Thee, Lord Jesus, only.

Thy precious blood was shed to win, full atonement for our sin.

—Martin Luther

Author: Jojo Agot