by David Allen | Jan 27, 2020 | Bible, Preaching, Scripture References, Sermons
Psalm 1 is the faithful doorkeeper; the vestibule leading into the sanctuary of praise known as the book of Psalms. Psalm 1 is to the entire book of Psalms as middle C is to the piano. It is the text of which the book of Psalms is the sermon. Jerome in the Latin...
by David Allen | Jan 24, 2020 | Bible, General, Scripture References, Sermons
One of the most important things a church ever does is to call a senior pastor. The decision has far-reaching consequences for all involved . . . and for the kingdom of God. Sometimes people view a pastor as a spiritual superhero; like one of the Avengers who steps in...
by David Allen | Jan 20, 2020 | Culture
Two titanic events occurred in May, 1954 that changed America forever. The U.S. Supreme Court issued its epochal decision rejecting the doctrine of separate but equal for whites and blacks in public education. By a 9-0 vote, the court abolished segregation in public...
by David Allen | Jan 8, 2020 | Bible, General, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Sermons, Theology
NOTE: This post is slightly revised from David L. Allen, 1-3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family, in Preaching the Word, R. Kent Hughes, ed. (Wheaton: IL, 2013), 275-77. If you are in a leadership position in someone’s church, and especially if you are a pastor, let me...
by David Allen | Jan 6, 2020 | Bible, Devotional, Preaching, Scripture References
NOTE: This is an excerpt from my sermon on 1 John 1:1-4 in 1-3 John: Fellowship in the Family (Crossway). John gives us another purpose for writing in verse 4; “so that our joy may be made complete.” John says when we have fellowship with you, our joy is full. John...
by David Allen | Dec 16, 2019 | Theology
Part 3 of a 3-part series. You can read Part 1 here, and Part 2 here. This post includes my theological analysis of the passage as well as the implications I see in it, followed by the conclusion and an addendum. Note: the footnotes restarted at 1 owing to how the...
by David Allen | Dec 13, 2019 | Theology
Part 2 of a 3-part series. You can read Part 1 here. I am picking up where I left off in my exegesis of Romans 8:28–34. Note: the footnotes restarted at 1 owing to how the post is divided. Romans 8:28–30 The structure of Rom 8:28–30 is as follows: “God works out all...
by David Allen | Dec 11, 2019 | Theology
Part 1 of a 3-part series. In September I published “Yes, Jesus Did Die for [the Sins of] Everyone!” in response to a Gospel Coalition article championing limited atonement. As a follow–up, I posted “Responding to My Responders” focusing on several...
by David Allen | Dec 4, 2019 | Bible, Preaching
NOTE: This post by Dr. Matthew McKellar, Professor of Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, first appeared at www.theologicalmatters.com on December 9, 2011. It contains some excellent pointers for all preachers about their Christmas preaching. It is...
by David Allen | Nov 27, 2019 | Bible, General
Thanksgiving is much more than Indians and pilgrims, turkey and dressing, or Snoopy and Superhero balloons floating down 6th Avenue in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanksgiving Day is a distinctive holiday. It doesn’t commemorate a battle or anyone’s...
