Some say that Jonathan
Edwards was the most powerful and most effective preacher ever heard on the American
continent. He is generally regarded as America's first "great mind." He
was a scientist, philosopher, author, educator, and preacher. Edwards embodies
puritanism to most people today and his sermons are still published and read widely.
His belief in the holiness of God and the depravity of man caused many to abhor
his preaching. Oliver Wendell Holmes described his sermons as "barbaric."
Mark Twain called him "a drunken lunatic." D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones contended
that "Puritanism reached its fullest bloom" in Edwards, saying, "He
preached sermons...he did not deliver lectures." | Surprised
By God's Judgment Isaiah 33:14
Sinners
In the Hands of an Angry God Deut. 32:35
The
Way of Holiness Isaiah 35:8
God
Glorified In Man's Dependence 1 Cor 1:29-31
Many
Mansions John 14:2
Glorious
Grace Zach. 4:7
Praise,
One of the Chief Enjoyments of Heaven
A
Farewell Sermon 2 Cor. 1:14
Christ,
the Example of Ministers John 13:15-16
The
True Excellency of a Gospel Minister John 5:35
A
Prayer Hearing God Psalm 65:2
The
Excellency of Christ Rev. 5:5-6 Mat.
16:17
A
Divine & Supernatural Light Mat. 16:17 |
| |
George Whitefield
was one of the most original preachers in the history of the church. With
a powerful and dramatic style, this Englishman has been called the greatest
preacher since the Apostle Paul and the Demosthenes of the pulpit. His preaching
in the US was a main cause of the Great Awakening. A master of imagination,
metaphor, and drama, it is said that his delivery was like that of a a great actor.
He was a protégé of the Wesleys and Methodism, but moved away from
their theology toward a more Calvinist position. Though he died at 56 years
old, the world is still feeling the impact of his life. | The
Duty of Searching the Scriptures John 5:39
Christians,
Temples of the Living God 2 Cor. 6:16
The
Potter and the Clay Jere. 18:1-6
The
Temptation of Christ Matt. 4:1-11
Abraham
Offering Up His Son Isaac Gen. 20:12
Persecution:
Every Christian's Lot
2 Tim. 3:12
Intercesson:
Every Christian's Duty 1 Thes. 5:25
The
Almost Christian Acts 20:28
Walking
With God Gen. 5:24
The
Marks of a True Conversion Matt. 18:3
What
Think Ye of Christ? Matt. 22:42
Directions
On How to Hear Sermons Luke 8:18
The
Eternity of Hell's Torments Matt. 25:46
The
Burning Bush Eze. 3:2-3 |
| |
This Scottish preacher
was known as the 'Prince of Expositors' and "the supreme example of the Protestant
expository preacher." His emphasis on exegeting the text was a lifelong
hallmark. He refused many preaching engagements in order to further his
studies in the Word. He was fundamental is his doctrine, and never veered off
the path of the historic truths. He usually preached about 40 minutes, his
voice strong and diction clear, his Scottish brogue making his words musical and
penetrating. Almost always dividing his text into three parts, Robertson Nicoll
said he served the Bread of Life "on a three pronged fork." Along with Spurgeon,
his sermons are the most read of the 19th century. He was truly a man that
today's preacher would do well to study and emulate. "I have always found
that my own comfort and efficiency in preaching have been in direct proportion
to the depth of my daily communion with God. I know no way in which we can do
our work but in fellowship with God. In keeping up the habits of the student's
life, wich needs some power of saying "no" and by conscientious pulpit preparation.
The secret of success is trust in God and hard work." -Alexander Maclaren | As
I Have Loved John 13:34-35
The
Encamping Angel Psalm 34:7
The
Guiding Pillar Num. 9:16
The
Absent Present Christ John 14:18-19
Num. 9:16
Disciple's
Confession, Master's Warning John 16:29-32
The
Delays of Love John 11:5-6
The
Universal Magnet John 12:32
The
Teacher Spirit John 14:25-26
The
Cross: The Proof of God's Love Romans 5:8
More
Than Conquerors Romans 8:37
Love
That Can Hate Romans 12:9-10
Love
and Fear I John 4:18
Jehovah
Jireh: The Lord Will Provide Genesis 22:14
Take
Up the Challenge Psalm 19:18
A
Pattern For Prayer Psalm 86:1-5
The
World's Hatred, As Christ Sees It John 15:21-25 |
| |
John A. Broadus is
called by some the father of American expository preaching. He was a great scholar,
and academic, fluent in eleven languages, and versed in the classics and in Greek.
He was a personal friend of both Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, and ministered
to the Southern troops in the War Between the States. He founded Southern
Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky for the training of preachers. His book
on preaching, On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons, is still
in print over 100 years after his death. His pulpit style was direct and
conversational. He believed in a classical style of oratory, always expounding
on a text and preached extemporaneously. | Delight
In the Will of God Psalm 40:8
The
Necessity of the Atonement 1 John 1:7
Some
Laws of Spiritual Work John 4:32-38
The
Habit of Thankfulness 1 Thes. 5:18
He
Ever Liveth To Intercede Heb. 7:25
Worship
John 4:24
Christian
Joy Phil. 4:4
The
Savior Praying For Us John 17:9
Lessons
For the Tempted 1 Cor. 10:12-13
Loving
Jesus Christ John 21:15
One
Jesus Acts 25:17
The
Lord's Prayer Matt. 6:9
The
Resurrection of Our Lord Luke 24:34
Come
Unto Me Matt. 11:28-30 |
| |
Known as the American
Spurgeon, Talmage was born in New Jersey. Converted at eighteen years old in a
revival meeting, he pastored in Brooklyn and was known as an emotional and passionate
preacher. When warned that his gospel message might deny him the best pulpits,
he said, "If I cannot preach in America, I will go to the heathen lands and preach,"
He was aggressive, not concerned with the feelings of his hearers. His central
message was the Christ, His love and sacrifice. He once said, "I shall take
all of the Bible, or none." Many criticized his theatrical pulpit style, but
not his results. He was not a true expositor, as many on this page, but
he was full of zeal and passion, and thousands responded. He was orthodox
in his doctrine, never wavering from historic Christianity, and his sermons still
touch peoople today. | The
Evils of Drunkenness Gen. 9:20-21
The
Question of Questions Acts 16:30
Windows
Opened Toward Jerusalem Dan. 6:10
Summer
Temptations Mark 6:31
The
Name of Jesus Phil. 2:9
The
Reckless Penknife Jer. 36:23 Mark 6:31
Weighed
and Found Wanting Dan. 5:27
The
Broken Pitchers Judges 7:20-21
An
Atheist Answered Eph. 4:18
His
Name Is Wonderful Isaiah 9:6 Eph. 4:18
The
Ministry of Tears Rev. 7:17
The
Spider in Palaces Pro. 30:28
Mending
the Bible Rev. 22:19 |
| |
Spurgeon was a one-of-a-kind
preacher. There was never a preacher like him before or since. His story
is truly unique in the history of preaching. He started preaching at sixteen
and had preached over 1000 times by the time he was 21 years old.
Almost immediately, e was a master with word pictures and illustrations.
His delivery was like music or poetry and his written word remains as powerful
today as it was during his life. Spurgeon's sermons are still printed today
and sell as well or better than any contemporary preacher. Though not an
expositor in the style of Maclaren, he was thoroughly Biblical in his messages.
His thought process was deep, but his preaching was understandable to even the
most simple minds. It has been said that his hearers listened as one who
was hearing a will read or hearing his sentence given by a judge. Three hundred
million copies of his printed works have been in circulation, mostly his sermons.
His book on preaching, Lectures to My Students, has had over 500,000 copies
printed. His two-volume commentary on Psalms, the Treasury of David,
is sitting on the shelves of over 150,000 libraries. During his ministry,
he edited a periodical, The Sword and the Trowel, in which he dealt with both
theology and politics. He as fundamental in his beliefs, premillennial and
Calvinist. He smoked a pipe from his youth but believed in total abstinence
from alcohol. He preached against slavery so strongly that many of his sermons
were censored in the US, and he was a pacifist in matters of war. | I
Would, But Ye Would Not! Matt. 23:37
All
Comers to God Welcomed! John 6:37
Learning
In Private What To Teach In Public Mat.10:27
The
Saint's Horror at the Sinner's Hell Ps. 26:9
The
Best War Cry Numbers 23:21
Spring
Time in Nature and Grace Is. 55:10-13
Despised
Light Withdrawn John 12:36 Is.
55:10-13
The
Drawings of Divine Love John 6:44-45
Why
Some Seekers Are Not Saved Is. 59:1-2
Ruth
Deciding For God Ruth 1:16
The
Great Physician & His Patients Matt. 9:12
How
a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him Pro.14:14
Salvation
All of Grace Eph. 2:8
Salvation
By Works --A Criminal Doctrine Gal. 2:21
Fathers
in Christ 1 John 2:13,14
The
Fatherhood of God Matthew 6:9
Thanksgiving
& Prayer Ps. 65:11
A
New Year's Wish Phil. 4:19
Holy
Work For Christmas Luke 2:17-20 |
| |
Benajah Harvey Carroll
was born in Misissippi and raised in Texas. He was a soldier for the Confederate
army and later a general in God's army as pastor of the First Baptist Chrurch
of Waco and the founder of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, still
the largest seminary in the world. Carroll was a genuine student of Scripture
and a prolific writer. His 13 volume Interpretation of the English Bible
is still used by Bible students today. He believed that preaching was the essence
of the pastor's duty; he was an expositor in the truest sense. He believed
in the authority and the inspiration of the Bible first and foremost. He
criticized and chided the "Higher Criticism" teachers as being false brethern. | My
Deposit With God & God's Deposit With Me 2
Tim. 1
The
War Between the Flesh and Spirit 1 Thes. 5:23
Having
the Form, But Denying the Power 2 Tim.
3:5
Conditions
of Success In Soul Winning Acts 11
Christ
Seeks Not Your's, But You! 2 Cor. 12:14
Little
Christians Mat. 18:6
The
Inspiration of the Bible 2 Tim. 3:16-17
A
Sermon For Erring Christians 2 Chron.
7:14
The
Providence of God Psalm 11:3
The
Conquering Word of God Jer. 23:28 |
| |
John Wilbur Chapman
was born to Christian parents who raised him in preparation for the ministry.
He publically professed Christ at seventeen and entered college and then the seminary.
He pastored several Presbyterian churches before entering evangelism in 1893.
He preached with D. L. Moody, Billy Sunday and "Praying" Hyde. He believed in
the imminent return of Christ and the inerrancy of Scripture, once advocating
his denomination recall all foreign missionaries from the field who did not hold
to inerrancy. He possessed a deep and musical voice in the pulpit and a
good sense of humor. His sermons were well illustrated and fully applied,
and serve as excellent models for today's preacher. | A
Lost Opportunity 1 Kings 20:40
Grieving
the Spirit Eph. 4:30
The
Accepted Time 2 Cor. 6:2
The
Master Is Come John 11:28
Eternity
Is. 57:15 |
| |
Billy Sunday was
a colorful and powerful preacher who preached to hundreds of thousands at the
turn of the 20th century. He got his start in preaching by helping J. Wilbur
Chapman (see his bio above) in his revival campaigns. Chapman schooled him
in doctrine and homiletics. In 1898, he set out on his own to preach. His crusades
became regional events, with thousands turning out to hear him. He became as well
known as any man in America, including the president. He had been a baseball
player before his conversion, and was known in his early ministry as "the baseball
evangelist." His preaching against "booze" was one of the main influences
for prohibition. He was a conservative and fundamentalist. Because he was
direct in his style and often uncouth, he was accused of being somewhat of a buffoon.
Though he used homey illustrations and backyard metaphors, his preaching was filled
with the Bible. Many old line preachers despised his agressiveness and his
know-it-all demeanor. It was easy to take shots at a man like Sunday, but
no one could gainsay the thousands who accepted Christ after his preaching. | Show
Thyself a Man 1 Kings 2:2
Second
Coming of Christ 1 Thes. 4:17-18
The
Devil's Boomerangs Ecc. 11:9
Gethsemane
Luke 22:24
Dancing,
Drinking, Cardplaying Gal. 6:7
The
Old Time Religion
Teach
Us To Pray Luke 11:1
Broken
Down Altars 1 Kings 18:30
Spiritual
Food For a Hungry World Matt. 14:16
He
That Winneth Souls Is Wise Pro. 11:30
The
Blood of Jesus Christ Heb. 9:13-14
Why
Delay Your Real Conversion?
Backsliding
Jer. 11:19
Booze
Motherhood
Exodus 2:9
Wonderful
Isaiah 9:6
Under
the Sun Ecc. 1:3 Mat. 27:22
The
Need For Revivals
What
Shall I Do Then With Jesus? Mat. 27:22 |
| |
R.G. Lee was the
longtime pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church of Memphis TN. He was a great
orator and his sermons never failed to show his skill. He pastored at Bellevue
from 1927-1960. During his pastorate there, over 24,000 people joined the church,
over 7,600 of these for baptism. Lee is best known for his sermon, Payday
Someday, which he preached over 1000 times. | Is
Hell a Myth? Mat. 10:28
Payday
Someday I Kings 21:18,19,23
Mat. 10:28
Ichabod:
Goodbye To Glory 1 Sam. 4:18-22
Christmas
Then & Now Luke 2:15 John
16:33
Paths
of Disappointment Ecc. 1:2 |
| |
Lee Roberson was
one of the giants of 20th century fundamentalism. He worked his way through college
and seminary (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville KY) by
washing dishes and scrubbing floors. Early in his ministry, Roberson was known
as a great singer. He reportedly turned down opportunities in the popular
music world. He was called to be pastor of the Highland Park Baptist Church in
Chattanooga, TN in 1942 and later founded Tennessee Temple University. His
preaching was always simple and direct. He preached in revivals and Bible
conferences up to his death in 2007. Though not a "deep" preacher, he focused
on the Christians' need to live a holy life, and never failed to clearly point
sinners to Christ. | Keep
On Rejoicing! John 16:33
The
Need of This Hour
Tears
Gone Forever Rev. 21:4
Stir
Up the Gift of God 2 Tim 1:6-13 |
