By Michael Gowens It would be admittedly presumptuous to address this important, yet essentially subjective, topic without a preliminary disclaimer. Beyond the instructions regarding what the gospel minister should preach (i.e. “…preach the word…” – 2Ti 4:2), the command to study (2Ti 2:15), and a few recorded examples of how Jesus and the apostles delivered…
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The Value of Expository Preaching
By Michael Gowens I believe that sustained expository preaching, under the blessings of God the Holy Spirit, builds strong, mature believers. Even though each message is a complete message in and of itself (that is, has a theme, an explanation of that theme, and an application of it to life), each also builds on the…
The Solemn Charge of a Christian Minister
By John Brine John Brine was an English particular Baptist during the 1700’s. The attached PDF is a sermon he preached at the ordination of Mr. John Ryland to the office of gospel minister. by John Brine13 page PDF file>>>Click here to download this file as PDF<<<
Ministerial Qualifications
Editor’s note: Elder Joe Holder publishes a weekly email devotional called “Gospel Gleanings.” From August 15 through September 5 he directed his attention to 1 Timothy 3:1. 1 Timothy 3:1 reads, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” The series name is “Ministerial Qualifications.”…
How do ministers know where to serve? Balancing desires, burdens, open doors, and needs.
By Joshua Winslett The gospel ministry is different than any other vocation or activity. You see, God alone calls men to preach his gospel and God alone directs their field of labor. Ministers are not, as it were, “mamma called and daddy sent.” Nor is gospel ministry a field of labor where we decide the…
Pastors
By Michael Ivey “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 When we think about the role of pastors, we likely think of preachers. We associate preaching the gospel to the duty of a pastor. Certainly, preaching the word is part of a pastor’s…
The Two Functions of the Holy Spirit
By Michael Gowens It is important to distinguish between what old preachers called “the two functions of the Holy Spirit.” In relation to the Everlasting Covenant, he is the agent of regeneration and has been functioning in that role since there was an elect on the earth (Jno. 5:25a — “The hour is coming and…
A Brief Look at Sign Gifts, Faith Healing & Tongues
By Michael Gowens The last century brought a significant change to the religious landscape of the West. With the upsurge of Pentecostalism in the early 1900’s and the Charismatic Movement it spawned, the configuration of the Christian community was significantly altered. No longer was Christianity defined by the two traditional categories of emphasis—Evangelicals and Catholics….
Justification By Faith: Historical Versus Biblical
By Joseph R Holder Is our eternal justification solely by the merits and grace of Jesus Christ? If so, where does justification by faith come into the picture? In this edition of Gospel Gleanings, Elder Joe Holder examines the concept in light of scripture, rather than Reformed or Arminian tradition. ~Editor Gospel Gleanings: July 8, 2007…