This Sunday we continue our summer sermon series, “Shaped by our Story,” as we look at the topic of revelation and the manner in which God makes Himself known to us.  As a bit of listener prep (“expository listening”), here’s a very short video clip from John Piper discussing the difference between general revelation and special revelation:

This, from Iain Murray, on the topic of expository preaching.  Much to chew on:

Why has this view of ‘expository preaching’ become comparatively popular? There are several reasons. First, it is believed that the practice will raise the standard of preaching. By a consecutive treatment of a book of Scripture, it is said, the preacher is taken away from any hobby-horses, and congregations are more likely to be given a broader, more intelligent, grasp of all Scripture. The preacher is also delivered from a constant search for texts – he and the people know what is before them. These reasons are perhaps confirmed for younger preachers by the fact that at our main conventions and conferences the well-known speakers commonly deal with one passage in a few addresses, and when these find their way into print they are taken as models of the best way of preaching. Published sermons of any other kind are few and far between for publishers definitely favour the ‘expository’ on the grounds of their popularity.

In our view, however, it is time that the disadvantages of this view of preaching are at least considered:

Read the rest.

Here’s the link.

One of my favorite preachers, Alistair Begg of Parkside Church, just outside of Cleveland, speaks on temptation:

Listen.

An old friend, Kim Swithinbank, current Vicar of St. James, London, is in town this week.  Had him over to preach this morning.  Here’s his wonderful sermon, “Two Prodigals?”, preached at the morning celebrations.

The Rev’d Dr. Kendall Harmon talks a bit about Augustine’s life in his opening remarks at St. Paul’s Theological Centre’s new course – Great Theologians.

Here’s clip with Tim Keller discussing the “new atheism.”  See what you think:

Tip of the hat to Chelsea Gour.

This sermon just in from an Episcopal Church in NC addressing Mark 7.24-30.  Does one weep, puke or scream?

The Syrophoenician woman snaps right back though, using his feeding-the-dog metaphor and says she’d be happy to have the dog’s scraps, thank you very much, Sir.  Clearly her mixture of audacity and humilty makes Jesus stop and think.  He listens, and apparently learns something, and he realizes he has made a mistake.  He has judged unfairly.  She may be Gentile scum but she values what he has to offer.  She has faith in him.  He decides that he will heal her daughter after all.  What an amazing story!  Jesus is shown to be wrong.  And he changes his mind.  This is unique in all the Gospels – Jesus being bested by someone else – and a Gentile woman at that! (emphasis in preacher’s original text)

Pray tell, preacher, what other mistakes might Jesus have made?

A diet Mountain Dew to anyone who guesses the preacher and parish.  Here’s a hint: their motto is, “Love all, serve all” – oops, sorry, that’s the Hard Rock’s motto.  Theirs is: “Welcome All, Love All, Serve All Through Christ.”