Posts by Thomas Overmiller
Thoughts about Preaching Styles
Thomas Overmiller Do you tend to appreciate one style of preaching over another? How do you respond to a methodical teaching approach? What about a more dramatic, high-energy approach with some pulpit pounding? Or how about a sermon filled with illustrations, stories, and testimonies to make a biblical point? Variety in the pulpit is a…
Read MorePinball or Chess?
Thomas Overmiller Which best portrays your life– a pinball game or a chess match? Daniel describes the pinball lifestyle distinctly when he says, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Dan. 9:24). Non-stop action and superfluous information certainly characterize the normal American routine. Like the start of a pinball round when…
Read MoreWinning the Battle against Media Bombardment
Thomas Overmiller All kinds of media clamor for your attention – news, social buzz, marketing, movies, music, books, gaming, and gossip. They utilize an overwhelming variety of platforms – desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, e-book readers, cell phones, smart phones, mp3 players, theatres, satellite TV, cable TV, radios, billboards, magazines, tabloids, libraries, newspapers, post…
Read MoreThe Difference Between Preaching and Teaching
Thomas Overmiller A couple of years ago, a missionary on the field sent me two questions: (1) What is preaching? (2) How does preaching differ from teaching? He didn’t ask because he didn’t know the answers. He was preparing lecture notes for an upcoming homiletics class and wanted outside input. In this article, I’d like…
Read MoreSearching for the Perfect Sermon
Thomas Overmiller A preacher never should settle intentionally for an imperfect sermon. He is responsible to “rightly divide” – that is, exposit – the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15). Yet, what preacher can say that he has ever delivered a perfect sermon? Mistaken exegesis, inaccurate illustrations, mispronounced or mistaken word choices, unrelated or neglected…
Read MoreIs It Worldly? Check the Expiration Date (3)
Thomas Overmiller This is part three of three. Part One • Part Two In Part One, Thomas said: We need to avoid using the term ‘worldly’ as mere jargon, but have a good grasp of the concept according to the Bible. The first aspect of worldliness we need to understand, based on 1 Jn 2.15-17,…
Read MoreIs It Worldly? Check the Expiration Date.
Thomas Overmiller This is part two of three. Part One is here. In Part One, Thomas said: We need to avoid using the term ‘worldly’ as mere jargon, but have a good grasp of the concept according to the Bible. The first aspect of worldliness we need to understand, based on 1 Jn 2.15-17, is…
Read MoreIs It Worldly? Check the Expiration Date.
Thomas Overmiller This is part one of three. Christian Jargon Christians use jargon. We use vocabulary and phrases that are unique to our born-again, Bible-based lifestyle. Some common examples of Christian jargon include: born again, edify, evangelist, faith promise, gospel, grace, mission field, pastor, tithe, total surrender, and will of God. These are good expressions.…
Read MoreThe Kingdom of Heaven
Thomas Overmiller The phrase “kingdom of heaven” occurs exclusively in Matthew’s gospel. He uses the phrase 33 times, while no other gospel writer employs it at all. How is this significant? Some teach that the kingdom of heaven is distinct from the phrase “kingdom of God.” Matthew actually uses this counterpart phrase five times, whereas…
Read MoreStay Awake for Preaching
Thomas Overmiller What do preaching, teaching, and sleeping have in common? All three occur in the story of Eutychus, the man who fell out of the third story window listening to Paul (Acts 20:7-12). This brief narrative stirs the curiosity of any attentive reader and raises the question, “What is the point of the story?” …
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