Preaching with impact

August 25, 2012 Christianity and Culture, Preaching Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

Preaching doesn’t need to be flashy or entertaining to be effective. Here are some thoughts on which preachers have made an impact on me and why.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones on True Christians and the Sermon on the Mount

February 19, 2012 Quotation Mark McIntyre 1 Comment

A comment made by Martyn Lloyd-Jones in the introduction to a collection of his sermons on the Sermon on the Mount is still relevant today. We need to be honest about the Church’s failures, repent and begin again.

The blessing of being poor (in spirit) – Matthew 5:3

November 6, 2011 Bible Reflection Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

Matthew 5:3 reads: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NASB) One must assume that Jesus knew what he was doing when he put this Beatitude first in the list. Blessed are the poor in Spirit. Luke’s record shortens this saying to simply, “blessed are you who are poor” […]

Introduction to the Beatitudes – Sermon on the Mount #3

November 2, 2011 Bible Reflection Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

Before examining the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11, it would be helpful to offer a few words on the meaning of the word translated “blessed” in our English Bibles. The word in the original is makarios, which in Homer denoted the “transcendent happiness of a life beyond care, labor and death.” (Theological Dictionary of the New […]

He sat down to teach – Sermon on the Mount Series #2

October 21, 2011 Bible Reflection Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount: 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them . . .” (Matthew 5:1-2 NASB) At the end of chapter 4, Matthew informs us […]

On holy heartburn

We should be reading with expectation of learning how our involvement in the story will change us. We should be reading with expectation of learning the extent of God’s love for us. We should be reading with the expectation of getting a glimpse of what we will become when God finishes his work in us.

We should be reading with expectation of holy heartburn.

The Minimalist’s Path to Spirituality

Minimalism is not an encouragement to renounce life as you know it and live out your days as a pauper. It is a call to embrace that which you need to survive comfortably and to release yourself from the rest.

John Stott on Jesus’ Hour

Jesus referred to an “hour” that was coming in his life and ministry. John Stott writes about what Jesus meant by this.

Quantity versus Quality

My guess is that most Christians would agree that reading Scripture is a good thing. The fact that the Bible is a perennial best seller lends credence to this.

But what is the best way to read it? Should I keep to a reading schedule or take a little bit at a time. Do I want to focus on the quantity or the quality of my reading?

Please God alone

My greatest struggle in being part of the church has been when leaders possessed a certitude about how things should be done that borders on presumption. If I have learned one thing about humanity, it is that we are all inherently flawed. I have ample evidence in myself and others of the depravity of man. We are broken and that brokenness affects everything that we touch. As a result, we should have a healthy distrust of ourselves and a confidence in God alone.