The Bible is a treasure-chest filled with good news of God’s grace and wisdom for living day by day. Clergy and laity alike find it a rich and practical resource, and many return to it daily, seeking what God offers them there.
For centuries the lectionaries of the church have been divided into three readings: Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel. The Epistles are letters. The sermons in this book are all, with the exception of the three sermons from the Apocalypse, from letters written by the apostles to churches or individuals for the purpose of instruction in the Christian life, sometimes in answer to questions and concerns raised by the recipients.
More than one of my seminary professors pointed out that many of the Epistles could be outlined into two sections: an indicative section about the Gospel of Jesus, followed by an imperative of apostolic direction for Christian living, often connected by the word therefore, as if the holy writer is answering the reader’s question, What shall we do about this?
Francis Schaeffer famously phrased the question this way: How shall we then live? Christianity is not simply agreeing to a set of propositions. Being a Christian is not simply a way of talking, but a way of walking. The epistles supply evangelical counsel for believers in how they are to conduct themselves in their marriages, in child-rearing, and in the workplace as well as in the church.
Accordingly, the sermons in this book frequently deal with practical issues such as church quarrels, sexual behavior, over-eating, attitudes about money, and minding one’s tongue. All were preached as a part of a congregation’s regular worship gatherings. It will be evident to readers that some examples and illustrations are dated. Time brings changes, to be sure!
As in my other sermon books, the format of paragraphing and spacing, which reflects the influence of the late Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall, is designed to help the reader hear as well as see the message. Scripture citations are in bold print. Entire words may be capitalized or underlined for emphasis.
My prayer for you as a reader is that the Word may have free course and serve to edify you in the living of your life in Jesus Christ. To Him alone be glory, now and forever.
