Quotes from Haddon W. Robinson

To the men and women who keep a sacred appointment on Sunday morning. Bewildered by seductive voices, nursing wounds life has inflicted upon them, anxious about matters that do not matter. Yet they come to listen for a clear word from God that speaks to their condition. And to those who minister to them now and those who will do so in the future.

bland composite" of the congregation's "congenial, ever helpful, ever ready to help boy scout; as the darling of the old ladies and as sufficiently reserved with the young ones; as the father image for the young people and a companion to lonely men; as the affable glad-hander at teas and civic club luncheons."1 If that description pictures reality at all, preachers may be liked, but they will certainly not be respected.

Through bifocal preaching, those who hear come to understand and experience what the eternal God has to say to them today.

Preach means "to cry out, herald, or exhort.

Merely to ask, "Is that true? Do I and my hearers believe that?" does not produce instant answers. But failing to contend with those basic questions means we will speak only to those who are already committed.

What does this mean?" What has to be explained so that my listeners will understand the passage? Does the biblical writer explain his statements or define his terms? Does he assume that the original readers understood him and needed no explanation? Are there concepts, terms, or connections that modern listeners might not understand that you need to explain to them?

State the idea so that it focuses on response. How do you want your listeners to respond? Instead of "You can rejoice in trials because they lead to maturity," try "Rejoice when hard times come." If you know what your listeners should do, tell them. State the idea so that your listeners sense you are talking to them about them.