Simplicity in Preaching

The Banner of Truth has recently published in booklet form J.C. Ryle's address on Simplicity in Preaching. I highly recommend this little treatise - for preachers young and old alike. You will find an abundance of wisdom and common sense in these 22 pages. Here is a summary of the five points he discusses in the booklet:

1. If you want to attain simplicity in preaching, you must have a clear knowledge of what you are going to preach.
2. If you would attain simplicity in preaching, you must use simple words.
3. If you would attain simplicity in preaching, you must seek to acquire a simple style of composition, with short sentences and as few colons and semicolons as possible.
4. If you would attain simplicity in preaching, aim at directness.
5. If you would attain simplicity in preaching, make abundant use of illustration and anecdote.

Monergism's Banner of Truth Sale

4th Annual Banner of Truth Sale

Every Banner of Truth title at Monergism Books is now available for the absolute lowest price anywhere online. PLUS get an additional 5% discount if you order by Friday, August 21st! In order to take advantage of this sale you will need to:

• Make sure you are logged in as a registered user.
  
• Place at least $25 worth of Banner of Truth titles into your shopping cart.
• Enter coupon code banner at checkout.
  

If you can find a better price on these titles anywhere online, Monergism Books will match it!

Shop the sale here.

Pocket Puritans

John Adams once told his son, John Quincy, "You're never alone with a poet in your pocket." I would most certainly agree with Mr. Adams, and I would also add, "You're never alone with a Puritan in your pocket." And with Banner of Truth's "Pocket Puritans," you have no excuse to ever be alone.

These little books are perfect for the ten to fifteen minutes in the day that too often get wasted - waiting to get a haircut, waiting at the doctor's office, waiting for someone at a restaurant, using public transportation, etc. So stick one in your pocket and make wise use of your time.

Here's an excerpt from Samuel Ward's Living Faith that I read this week (it is well worth your time):

Use your faith always, as a necessity, as you use fire, water, salt, bread, wine, or other necessities. Faith is not just the midwife to bring you into joy and peace, and then you may let it go. It is more like a nurse or foster mother to bring you on to full maturity in them. Faith is even sweeter in its mature fruit than in its beginnings. Do you desire to have a continual feast, and to rejoice always in the Lord? I know you do desire it with all your soul. Let me prescribe a daily regimen to be strictly kept (may the Lord give both you and me grace to keep it). Just as often as you refresh your body by food and recreation, cheer up your soul by using your faith. Let your soul have two or three walks each day up to Mount Tabor, that is, to some retired place of meditation and prayer, like Isaac's field, Cornelius' walks, or David's closet.

What is to be done there? Faith is to be put to use! This is the chief mystery of our spiritual life. Stir up your soul in this mountain to talk with Christ. Consider all the promises and privileges you regularly enjoy. Now actually think of them, roll them under your tongue, chew on them until you feel their sweetness in the palate of your soul. View them together and individually. Sometimes contemplate one in particular, or another more deeply.

Consider how wonderful it is that your debts have been canceled, and that the wrath of God has been satisfied. Consider how happy and safe a condition you are in by being a son of God, and how pleasant a state not to fear death and hell. Consider how stately a thing it is to be an heir of glory. Mingle these thoughts with your prayers to heaven for grace and aid. Do not leave the mountain until your heart has been cheerfully warmed and revived in strength for the next day.

This is using your faith. It is living by faith. You will find your soul saying, "It is good to be here." It is good to be here daily, to come here often! The fire in unstirred coals does not glow, and does not heat the house. Sugar unstirred in the cup does not sweeten the wine. Not using your faith is almost as bad as not having it at all.