preaching

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A Parable for Preachers

Christ, the Master Teacher, very often used stories to help His disciples see what He was saying. Recently I came across the following story and thought it was a tremendous illustration...
The Tombs of the Prophets

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” 
Zechariah 14:4

	One of the most overlooked gems in Jerusalem is the Tombs of the Prophets on the Mount of Olives. Every day, thousands of pilgrims on their way up or down the mountain troop past the weatherbeaten sign pointing toward the tombs. Only a few turn in to see it. 
Photos by John Buckner 

	The tombs are believed to belong to Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and their disciples. They are located in an enormous man-made cavern in the side of the Mount of Olives. The ancients carved this place near the summit of the Mount of Olives to bury the prophets because of Zechariah’s prophecy about the coming of the Messiah. 
	Once you descend the stairs into the cavern, there is no electricity or signs of modernity. A little light leaks in from the entrance and illuminates the cathedral-like antechamber where the guard will light a candle, hand it to you, and then show you the map of the tombs. He will smile and exhort you to sing, preach, or pray if you feel like it. Believe me, you will!
From there you can wander carefully by candlelight through the corridors and tunnels until you come to the tombs of the great men deep in the mountain. You can find their tombs by the feeble light from a single candle that always burns in front of each of the the three prophet’s graves. A local custom full of symbolism is to kneel, blow out your candle, then relight it from one of theirs. 
Photos from December, 2020.
John Buckner 

	Scholars are not certain if they are the tombs that Jesus mentioned, or if those tombs were elsewhere. Personally, I imagine Him pointing across the Kidron Valley to the tombs, since the entrance to the tombs was visible from the Temple Mount where He was teaching when He said:

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,” Matthew 23:29

What is known is that the cavern was built by ancient people to honor some great prophets of the Bible. The Tombs of the Prophets have amazing acoustics. I recommend standing somewhere in the dark, and when your meditations on the prophets, and on Jesus’ teachings, ascension, and second coming overcome you, burst into song! It is overwhelming to be near where Jesus will soon return and sing to Him. Whenever I descend the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem, I always stop and glance back to see if He is there. Every time, I remember that right up there is where He said to “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” 
	When you go to Jerusalem, and I hope you do, please schedule an hour or two to visit this beautiful memorial to the prophets. Then go forth carrying the light that they preached to a dark world.  

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;” Malachi 4:2

“For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:6-7

The Tombs of the Prophets

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst...
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The Growth of a Sermon

A preacher’s sermon should simply be an organized expression of a biblical message. The right kind of preaching will not be rooted in a man’s idea but in God’s Word....
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GUEST POST: Moody’s Great Impact Upon My Life

”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 A Snapshot...
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Christians You Should Know: Charles Spurgeon

"For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth." - 2 Corinthians 13:8 A Snapshot of the Life of Charles Spurgeon: Born: June 19, 1834, in Kelvedon,...
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Christians You Should Know: G. Campbell Morgan

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 A Snapshot of the Life...
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Good News In A Bad World

Today's ETJ podcast concludes our study of the first section of Acts. What an encouragement this portion of Scripture has been to my faith! The Adventure Continues...and shortly we will...
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Lessons from the Road: 10 Tips for Itinerant Preachers

Itinerant ministry, like any work, has its unique challenges and its special blessings. There is ample evidence in the New Testament that itinerant ministry has a valid place both in...
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The Newest Member of our ETJ Team

One of the divine designs in ministry is that we are to labor alongside one another. God gave Moses a Joshua and Elijah an Elisha. The Lord Jesus Christ sent...
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Preachers Need Preaching Too!

When my dad was in his 30’s God called him to be a preacher. I have heard him tell the story of seeking counsel from his older brother James who...
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7 Pitfalls in Preaching

Men often fail in their strengths, and too often, those of us who are called and gifted to communicate God's Word fail in that very area. It is not always...
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My Favorite Preacher

Do you have a favorite preacher? I love anyone who preaches the Bible, but there is a preacher who has profoundly affected my life and ministry from the time that...
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7 Suggestions for Church Audio/Video Technicians

Every Christian worker should desire to render their very best service for the Lord and His church. One of the Bible principles of labor is: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to...
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2 Resources for More Bible Preaching

“…they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) If ever there was a time for more preaching, it is now. As we look around, we...
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Dear Pastor – An Open Letter to Faithful Shepherds

Dear Pastor, The last two years have been full of challenges that none of us have ever faced and few of us could have imagined. The physical, emotional, and spiritual...
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Join Us This Week…

Today we begin the annual gathering of the Southwide Baptist Fellowship in Raleigh, NC. We are very grateful that friends from around the country are coming to be with us...
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An Open Letter To Our Friends

Dear Friend, These are challenging and exciting days to be serving the Lord Jesus. The need of our world is great and Christ is coming soon! We are praying that...
Advice To A Teenage Preacher

Needed: Heart Preaching

There are all types of preachers and a variety of delivery styles. For years I told young men in homiletics that the important thing was that they become a Bible...
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A New Listening Option for Full Length Bible Messages

"The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it" (Psalm 68:11). Technology and media platforms have provided amazing ways of multiplying the preaching and teaching...
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What Is An Evangelist?

“Did you ever imagine that you would be an evangelist?” This question from a pastor recently was a reminder that for the first half of my life I never thought...
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3 Things Every Preacher Must Remember

There is something very special and deeply spiritual about the moment when we are called to stand before a group of people - any people! anywhere! - and preach the...
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Beginning Tomorrow

It is hard to believe it has been almost a year! The international shutdown at the beginning of the pandemic has become a point of reference in a variety of...
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Preachers Need Preaching Too!

It was only after I went into full time evangelism that I began to appreciate how much good preaching I had been privileged to listen to…and how much I still...
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The Final Month of a Unique Year

2020 has become a byword for the unexpected and unusual. While we have all laughed and cried at the twists and turns of this year, let me encourage you not...
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Praise and Prayer – Our November Schedule

As we approach this Thanksgiving month I am both grateful and prayerful. The Lord continues to guide and protect us. Week after week we see His hand at work and...
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The Last Few Days and the Days Ahead

My heart is full of the goodness of the Lord to us! Over the last few days it was a privilege to gather with so many pastors and Christian workers...
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Our October Schedule

This evening I will fly to Pennsylvania for the first meeting of a new month. It is a privilege to serve the Lord alongside pastors each week. October is designated...
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Our August Schedule

The adventure continues! Following Christ is always an adventure but the current situation in our world makes it even more so. These are days where we must exercise faith at...
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3 Elements for Effective Preaching

Preaching the Word of God is a grand privilege and great responsibility. For the faithful minister there is a joy and a soberness in standing to deliver the Lord's message....
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5 Books To Read On Preaching

It is a great privilege to stand and preach God's Word to others. In fact, it is a high and holy calling that should never be taken for granted! Preachers...
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Looking Ahead To May

Someone said that man plans and God laughs. Scripture says it better, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). In recent weeks we...
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Our New YouTube Channel!

In recent days we have all been reminded of the positive use of technology and online resources for Christians and churches. They are platforms that can be used for the...
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Update On Our Travels

These are unusual and exciting days to be serving the Lord. I believe that revival is on the way and whatever God has to rearrange in all of our lives...
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Our March Itinerary

Today I am on my way to speak at a very special men's conference in North Carolina. It is the last meeting of what has been a very busy month....
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4 Suggestions For Preachers

Augustus Toplady, author of the great hymn “Rock Of Ages,” was twenty-eight years old when he spent an afternoon in London with an older preacher whom he admired greatly. The...
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Our November Schedule

As I write these words I am sitting in my study on a beautiful fall day, overwhelmed with the goodness and faithfulness of my Lord. This has been a truly...
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Why I Am Doing What I Am Doing

Frequently I am asked if I plan to continue in evangelism, if I want to pastor, or if I miss what I did in the past. They are good questions...
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A Brand New Series Of Bible Messages Now Available

When I was a student in college, Dr. Frank Sells once challenged us to choose a “life book” – a book of the Bible to immerse ourselves in and to...
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30 Years Ago Tonight

Thirty years ago tonight I surrendered my life to Christ to preach His Word. Thirty years. A few days later, as a twelve-year-old boy, I stood in a cottage prayer...
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Our July Schedule

Thank you for continuing to pray with us for souls and the revival of God's people. We covet your prayers as we approach the heart of the summer! Monday-Tuesday, July...
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Would You Help Us Pray For These Exciting Opportunities In June?

June is a big month for families and always a special time for young people getting out of school! I love this time of year for the opportunities to minister...
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I Need Your Prayers

Today I leave for a 10 day preaching trip. The Lord is helping us and we are seeing His hand. At the same time there is always spiritual warfare because...
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Our May Itinerary

Thank you for praying with us and for us month after month. The Lord is so very gracious and we are humbled just to be in His work. Several folks...
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Messages In March

Recently we have heard from precious friends who are watching and listening to messages given at recent meetings. Sometimes the churches that we are in livestream their services or archive...
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Our March Prayer List

Life is not about things "to-do" but about things "to-pray" for. Every event should be an opportunity to pray. The calendar should become part of our prayer list! As I...
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“Where Did You Get That Sermon?”

Every preacher is different. The same all-wise God who used the unique personalities and gifts of the Bible writers continues to minister through all different types of men. Over time...
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Looking Ahead To February

It is a privilege to labor with others for the cause of Christ. The Lord is doing some wonderful things in churches all over this country. I thank God for...
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Our November Itinerary

Would you pray with us for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit in each one of these meetings? I know that apart from the Holy Spirit using God's Word...
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Preacher, Are You Growing?

As preachers of God's truth we must always be growing. Certainly we must continue to mature in our understanding of the truth itself, but we must also develop in our...
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September 2018 Schedule & Prayer List

The month of August has been a month of transition as our oldest daughter, Morgan, has begun college and Lauren and Grant have returned to school. God has graciously allowed...
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Dear Preacher, Preach In Faith.

All of us who have preached for any length of time can testify that some things are different every time we stand to preach. The truth never changes, but the...
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Our August Schedule

What a precious summer we have had so far! God has helped us and we have seen Him at work in so many places. Thank you for praying for us...
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Our June Ministry Schedule

Hello, praying friends! Thank you for standing with us on your knees. We need your prayers more than ever and are conscious every day that someone is praying. God bless...
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A Guest Post And An Exciting Announcement

Pastor Scott Hooks is one of my dearest friends on earth. The work he has been chosen to lead in Hickory, NC is being blessed of the Lord in a wonderful...
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Preachers Are All Different!

No two people are the same, and no two preachers are either. The gifts and callings of God are unique in the life of every one of His servants. It...
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Our April 2018 Itinerary

It is hard to imagine that we are near the end of the first quarter of 2018! Next week we will publish our quarterly family newsletter with several special reports....
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Advice To A Teenage Preacher

Recently a teenage boy wrote to tell me that God had called him to be a preacher. What a joy to see another generation of young people yielding their lives...
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Cliche Christianity

So much of our Christianity has become trite and cliche. Words often overused and under-appreciated are common place. Do we even think about the things we are saying? I hear...
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GUEST POST: Preaching 101

Pastor Kenny Kuykendall is being mightily used of the Lord in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It was my privilege to review his newest book on preaching. I know it will be a...
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Use A Story!

Everybody loves a good story. Some preachers and teachers are known as story-tellers. This should never be our goal. Our mission is to be truth-tellers. However, learning to tell a...
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A Special Update and Our February Itinerary

The first month of 2018 has exceeded our prayers and plans. In the words of the Psalm 118:23, "This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." So...
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What I Have Learned About Series Preaching

Evangelists are not typically known for series preaching. For many years I thought that sermon series were basically pastoral in nature. More and more I believe that such preaching is...
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Will You Join Us On the Journey?

Six years ago this month I began writing on our blog. At the time God led me to call it Enjoying the Journey. (You may read more about why I chose...
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January 2018 Itinerary and a Prayer Request

If God lets us live until Monday we will begin a brand new year. What a privilege to serve the Lord! Below you will find our scheduled meetings for the...
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The 3 Most Important Times in A Revival Meeting

We have just come through one of the busiest seasons of the year for revival meetings. In reality, God chooses the season for revival. It cannot be scheduled or planned....
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Special Announcement: New Podcast!

As a twelve year old boy the Lord called me to be a preacher of God's Word. Through the years He has confirmed that call and deepened this conviction in...
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The Final Month of the Year: December 2017 Itinerary

We are drawing to the close of a very busy year! I am grateful to have a little extra time with the family over the next few weeks. Most of...
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Please Pray for These November Meetings

This is my favorite season of the year and a busy season of ministry. God has been faithful and we are seeing Him work in many places. Thank you for...
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Our October Schedule & A Request for Prayer

Thank you for your continued prayers. A precious lady at a church recently asked me, “What can I pray for specifically?” I love that. Specific prayers bring specific answers. Please...
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Now That You Are Called

Several weeks ago I published a short post on how to know when you have been called. (You may read the original post here.) It was encouraging to hear from...
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Exciting Days – Our September Itinerary

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Not every day is the same. In fact, in itinerant evangelism,...
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“How Do You Know When You Have Been Called?”

When the Lord first began dealing with me about being a preacher I asked my dad, “How do you know when you are called to preach?” He gave what I...
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Our August Itinerary and A Quarterly Update

This summer has been exceedingly busy and blessed. We thank the Lord for His goodness in our lives and in the work He has called us to do. God has...
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I Only Have One Message

Dr. Tom Malone used to joke about having five sermons and five hundred titles. My pastor challenged me years ago to work constantly at preparing new Bible messages. That counsel...
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Some Thoughts On Our Recent Campaign

It is a joy to be home for a couple of days after a busy season of meetings. Just a few days ago we conducted a Go Reach America Campaign...
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Our May Itinerary

Forgive me! Over the last few weeks I have heard from many of you who regularly read the blog and pray for us. The month of April was exceptionally full...
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Our January 2017 Itinerary

This morning I preached the first meeting of the new year. The Lord's Word and Spirit was so very precious. Only God knows how many more meetings we will be...
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Getting the Most Out of a Church Meeting

Boredom seems to be the order of the day. Why go to church anyhow? A Church in Decay Church attendance nationally is on the decline. Even...
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A Deepening Conviction

Every conviction in our hearts should grow out of God's Word. With the passage of time those convictions that are founded in eternal truth only deepen. The Holy Ghost confirms...
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Our Itinerary for January 2016

In a few weeks we will launch a new website. We hope that enjoyingthejourney.org will provide gospel resources as well as encouragement to believers, families, and churches. It will also give us...
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Getting More Out of This Sunday’s Sermon

Over the last few days I have been in numerous meetings where someone was preaching the Bible.  The messages were delivered by different men with varied styles, but in each...
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Why I Believe In Saying, “Amen!”

Amen.  It is usually the last word. It is the last word in the model prayer.  It is the last word of the Bible.  It is found about 30 times...
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An Encouraging Word for Preachers: Preaching out of the Overflow

A fine young man was driving me to the airport in another state recently.  We had a pleasant conversation about many things.  He is soon to be married and has...