A Caution from Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry lived long before the days of social media. However, in his commentary on James, he shares the following words of wisdom that apply to our day as much as to his, including our interactions with others on social media. The text in view is James 1:26: "If anyone among you thinks* he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless" (NKJV). Henry wrote, 

“The man who has a detracting tongue cannot have a truly humble gracious heart. He who delights to injure his neighbor in vain pretends to love God; therefore a reviling tongue will prove a man a hypocrite … This has ever been a leading sin with hypocrites, that the more ambitious they have been to seem well themselves the more free they have been in censuring and running down others; and there is such a quick intercourse between the tongue and the heart that the one may be known by the other.” 

Our words reveal what is in our hearts. May God have mercy on us all. 

*The word translated "thinks" in the NKJV is δοκέω, which can also mean "seem." Hence the KJV: "If any man among you seem to be religious."

Book Recommendation: The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper

 I thought one way to keep this blog going would be to add brief book recommendations. So, here's the first one!

Piper, John. The Supremacy of God in Preaching. 2d Ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.

Back in college, I spent a couple of years as a Piper fanatic. I bought all his books I could find, I read posts on DesiringGOD all the time, and I began to think in terms of Piper's thought. If I had found a bumper sticker that said, "John Piper said it. I believe it. That settles it." I would have purchased it instantly. (OK, maybe not, but you get my point). Later in my theological studies I began adding other authors and didn't follow Piper quite so closely, although I've always had—and still have—enormous respect and love for the man. 

    Perhaps it was my weening off of all-Piper-all-the-time as well as the crazy amounts of reading required both in the MDiv and PhD that caused me to never get around to The Supremacy of God in Preaching. However, having recently took a pastoral position at Brassfield Baptist in Creedmoor, NC, I began to feel a strong conviction to make sure my sermons exalted our glorious triune God like they should. I had this book on my shelf and it was a brief read, so I started it one Saturday night. 

    Reading this book was like a refreshing draught of cool water after mowing the lawn in NC. Piper always writes with fervency, and this comes through clearly in this book. (Note that at least part of the book is based on lectures/sermons of his). Piper divides the book into two main sections: "Why God Should Be Supreme in Preaching" and "How to Make God Supreme in Preaching: Guidance from the Ministry of Jonathan Edwards." Both sections are immensely helpful, although I slightly preferred the first half. 

Piper's passion to see God glorified comes through on every page, but the book is also filled with helpful practical guidance. Don't get me wrong, this is not a technical manual on how to preach.* Rather, Piper establishes solid foundations and points readers in helpful directions. 

I certainly would recommend preachers study other preachers outside of Piper and Edwards. As such, Piper's book is not the only one preachers should read. If you, like me, are not quite as big a fan of Edwards and certain aspects of his theology as Piper is,^ don't let that put you off. Piper draws helpful lessons from Edwards' life and ministry that can benefit every preacher. 

I heartily recommend The Supremacy of God in Preaching. It's a short read but it is packed with good stuff. May the Lord use it to further a greater passion for his glory in us preachers! 

*For volumes of such nature, I recommend McDill, Wayne V. The Moment of Truth: A Guide to Effective Sermon Delivery. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1999; and Akin, Daniel, Bill Curtis, and Stephen Rummage, Engaging Exposition. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2011, especially sections two and three.

^Specifically occasionalism and divine determinism.