| The
Latest Additions to Our Collection: The
Sword That Cuts Both Ways
by Louis Albert Banks (added July 24th, 2010)
Time
Is Short
by Robert Murray McCheyne (added July 20th, 2010)
The
Power of an Uncertain Future
by Phillips Brooks (added July 14th, 2010)
Life's
Turning Points
by Charles Kingsley (added July 9th, 2010)
My
Infidelity and What Became Of It
by B.H. Carroll (added July 9th, 2010)
God's
Cure For the World's Worst Disease
by R.G. Lee (added July 5th, 2010)
Democracy's
Day
by A.T. Robertson (added June 26th, 2010)
Tears
Over America
by Walter A. Maier (added June 21th, 2010)
Our
Duty To Israel
by Robert Murray McCheyne (added June 16th, 2010)
Liberty:
Its Dangers and Duties
by Charles E. Jefferson (added June 14th, 2010)
On
the Paternal Character of God
by Thomas Chalmers (added June 7th, 2010)
Eli:
Castaway Preacher & Indulgent Father
by Alexander Whyte (added June 4th, 2010)
////
 | .JONATHAN
EDWARDS .(1703-1758) |
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 .(1714-1770) |
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 Lot2 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 |
| |
 | .THOMAS
CHALMERS .
(1780-1847) | From
Fifeshire, Scotland, this great preacher was know as the 'solar man,' in the pulpit
he was like the sun in promi- nence and power. He led over 400 fellow preachers
out of the state church and formed the Free Church in 1843. He was friends
with Sir Walter Scott, William Gladstone and Thomas Carlyle, among others.
He was thouroghly a Puritan preacher, stressing man's sin and God's grace.
He was convinced of the authority of scripture, always honoring the Word.
His vocabulary is from a different age and difficult for some to follow, but blessings
await the reader who tackles his sermons. | .On
the Paternal Character of God Matt.
7:11 | | |
 | ROBERT
MURRAY MCCHEYNE (1813-1843) |
Another Scottish
divine who soared high in the spiritual realm of preaching in only 30 years of
living. He was a gifted child, learning the Greek alphabet at four years
old and graduating from University of Edinburgh at fourteen. He pastored
over 1000 people at St. Peter's of Dundee and preached in many extended meetings.
His ministry stressed missions, and it was on a mission trip to Palestine that
he became extremely sick. His health was frail all his life. One of
his nuggets of wisdom, "Live so as to be missed" is an appropriate description
of his life, as his preaching is still blessing others to this day. | .Time
Is Short I Cor. 7:29-31
.Our
Duty To Israel Rom. 1:16 |
| |
 | CHARLES
KINGSLEY (1819-1875) |
Charles Kingsley
preached his first sermon at four years old. The son of a preacher himself, he
was a prodigy. He was robust in his studies and his preaching. He
was a writer of poetry, drama and novels; his novel Westward Ho is still
considered a classic even today. He once wrote that false religion was "the
opiate of the people." Karl Marx seized upon the phrase and famously labeled
all religion by the title. Kingsley ministered in poor areas and identified
with his people's needs. He was a champion for social change in England.
Kingsley had a love for the Bible and loved to expound it. He fought against
the compromise and error of the day and exposed it. His success in writing
led him to friendships with with great authors of the day, like Whittier, Harriet
Beecher Stowe and William Cullen Bryant. He was considered a good and godly
father and husband, traits not as plentiful among preachers as they should be.
Kingsley is not well known in our day, but deserves to be read. | .Life's
Turning Points Luke 19:41-42 |
| |
 | ALEXANDER
MACLAREN (1826-1910) |
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, which 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 (1827-1895) |
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 |
| |
 | T.
DEWITT TALMAGE (1832-1902) |
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 people today. | The
Bible Is Right! Psalm 19:8
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 |
| |
 | CHARLES
H. SPURGEON (1834-1892) |
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. | Belief
In the Resurrection Mark 16:6
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 |
| |
 | PHILLIPS
BROOKS (1835-1893) |
By the end of
the 19th century there was an undertow of unbelief and liberalism in some church
movements and preachers. Phillips Brooks was on the edge of this phenomenon.
He was from the old Puritan stock and educated at Harvard. His preaching
often centered more on self-help than on the fundamental truths of doctrine.
Though not a denier of those truths, his preaching had a humanistic and idealistic
flavor. Brooks is a forerunner of new-evangelicals like Joel Osteen
and Billy Graham, men whose sermons are somewhat Biblical, but emasculated. We
include some of his sermons here because of his oratorical skill, the artistry
of his words and as an example of the period in which he lived. He was also
the author of the Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem. | .The
Power of an Uncertain Future Matt. 25:13
The
Beauty of a Life of Service John 8:31-36 |
| |
 |
ALEXANDER WHYTE (1836-1921) |
Alexander Whyte
rose from humble beginnings to become one of Scotland's greatest preachers.
His mother and father were unmarried at his birth. His father was unsaved
and his Christian mother refused to compound her sin by marrying an unbeliever.
Later his father would be saved as a soldier for the Union army in the American
Civil War. He was killed at Bull Run. His mother took him to many
church meetings as a child and as a young man he was a shoemaker's apprentice.
Always a careful student, he seemingly came out of nowhere by preaching in revival
meetings of 1859. His preaching caught the eye of educators and he was taught
theology by Robert Candlish and others. A shy person by nature, he was like
a lion in the pulpit. He preached hard on the depravity of man and the need
of salvation. His messages are described as "imaginative, arresting, and
awakening." He was very knowledgeable on a variety of subjects and used
that knowledge in his sermons. It is said that he studied with Roget's Thesaurus
at his elbow. His written sermons stand the test of time and are valuable
for the Christian to study today. | .Eli:
Castaway Preacher & Indulgent Father
I Sam. 2:22-25 | | |
 | B.H.
CARROLL (1843-1914) |
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
Infidelity and What Became Of It
Psalm 8:3-4 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 |
| |
 | LOUIS
ALBERT BANKS (1855-1933) |
Louis Albert
Banks was a Methodist preacher from the state of Oregon. He pastored churches
in Boston, Kansas City, Denver and Cleveland. He was widely known and published
in his time, but few, if any of his sermons can be found online. He was
a dynamic speaker, eloquent and illustrative. Like all great preachers,
he took the common truths of scripture and dressed them in direct and vibrant
language. The First Methodist Church of Cleveland, Ohio was the scene of
his greatest ministry as real revival was seen there for a time. While pastoring
in Boston, he ran for governor of Massachusetts on the Prohibition Party ticket.
He was a child prodigy who entered college at the age of eleven. The Methodist
denomination has declined dramatically in the years since this great man preached,
but Banks was true to Scripture and his Savior. | .The
Sword That Cuts Both Ways Isaiah 40:31
The
Problem With Man-Flight Isaiah 40:31 |
| |
 | J.
WILBUR CHAPMAN (1859-1917) |
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. | ...And
Judas Iscariot Mark 3:19
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 | | |
 | CHARLES
E. JEFFERSON (1860-1937) |
Charles Jefferson
was a gifted preacher and scholar from Ohio who taught at Ohio Wesleyan and Ohio
State University. He pastored the Broadway Tabernacle in Manhattan for more
than 30 years, where Charles Finney had labored before him. He was called
the "greatest American preacher" by some and was profoundly influenced by Phillips
Brooks. He was simple and direct in his style and was penetratingly serious about
the ministry and the craft of preaching. His sermons lasted around an hour
and were extemporaneous. As the theological wars raged between liberalism and
the historic Christian faith, Jefferson found himself in the middle and tried
to be a peacemaker. As he aged, his compromise became more and more evident.
He began with a sentimental attachment to the old paths, but gradually drifted
from complete orthodoxy. | .Liberty:
Its Dangers & Duties Gal. 5:13 |
| |
 | BILLY
SUNDAY (1862-1935) |
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 aggressiveness 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 |
| |
 | A.
T. ROBERTSON (1863-1934) |
Archibald T.
Robertson was a scholar and an expositor. As the author of more than 40
books and a professor at Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, he influenced
hundreds of thousands in their Christian life and service. His books are
still on the shelves of preachers and teachers today, especially the great Word
Pictures of the New Testament and his commentaries. He was sometimes
severe in his preaching style as he was blunt and direct, but he also possessed
good sense of humor and delighted audiences with references to Deacon Skinflint,
Sister Sharptounge, and Dr. Dry-as-dust. The Greek language was his specialty;
he preached with a Greek New Testament in his hands. He was born in Virginia
and grew up in North Carolina. As a youth, he had a speech impediment, which
he overcame by preaching. | .Democracy's
Day John 8:32 |
| |
 | J.
GRESHAM MACHEN (1881-1937) |
J. Gresham Machen
was as much a scholar as he was a preacher. He studied at Johns Hopkins
and taught at Princeton, being dismissed from the latter because of his unyielding
stand for the truth. Called by his enemies a "high-browed fundamentalist,"
he challenged the liberal doctrines that were becoming popular. He said
that the social gospel was nothing more "than positive thinking in modern garb."
Machen was attacked and maligned for his faith but stayed true to Biblical Christianity
throughout his life. His writings and sermons still circulate. |
SERMONS COMING SOON |
| |
 |
R.G. LEE (1886-1974) |
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. He was born in South
Carolina and educated at Furman University in Greenville, SC. His first
pastorate was at First Baptist Church of Edgefield, SC where Senator Strom Thurmond
and his family were members. It was there that he first preached his Payday
Someday message. His style was literary but not deep biblically. He
'painted pictures' with words and his preaching was eloquent and imaginative. | .God's
Cure For the World's Worst Disease
2Kng5:10 Payday
Someday I Kings 21:18,19,23
Mat. 10:28 Is
Hell a Myth? 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 |
| |
 | WALTER
A. MAIER (1893-1950) |
Walter Maier
held a doctorate in philosophy from Harvard and taught at Concordia Seminary in
St. Louis, but is best known for his worldwide radio broadcast, Bringing Christ
To the Nations. He was heard in over 120 nations and by over twenty million
souls. He was a Lutheran at a time when his denomination was denying the old time
religion. He stood true, extolling the reliability of Scripture and man's need
for the sacrifice of Christ. His preaching was inspiring and direct.
Early in his ministry he won the Billings Prize in Oratory and used all of the
rhetorical tools of the good communicator. Billy Graham called him the greatest
evangelist of the 20th century. In the face of harsh opposition, he never
dipped his colors or compro- mised his principles. | .Tears
Over America Luke 19:41 |
| | . |