What is the greatest compliment that a preacher can receive after a sermon has concluded? You always have the go-to compliments that brethren use with a sincere heart, such as, “Wonderful sermon! Good job!”, or, “That was powerful! Thank you.” On the humorous side, perhaps the most honest compliment I have received came from an older sister, when she said, “I liked that sermon, but last Sunday’s sermon was better.” That’s a real quote. Because of the time-consuming efforts poured into the construction of a sermon outline and the demand for sermon delivery, many preachers appreciate when members complement the depth and delivery of their sermons. But is that the greatest compliment a gospel preacher can receive? I believe the greatest compliment that can be given to a preacher, at the conclusion of a sermon, is simply, “I understood everything you said in your sermon. It was simple.” I believe the goal of every gospel preacher is simple: To preach your sermon in all simplicity, despite the complexity of the subject under discussion, so that the audience can understand what you are saying. In the words of the Lord, we ought to write it down, make it plain, so that they may read it and run at the same time, (c.f., Habakkuk 2:2-3). Therefore, this is the reason that I love the statement made of Jesus, in Mark 12:37, “And the common people heard him gladly.” I think we, sometimes, have a misunderstanding of the word common in this text. …

At the height of the Pax Romana, the angels of God began to sing a new song, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”, (c.f., Luke 2:14). With the announcement of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of God, our Creator bestowed something upon mankind through His Son that man could not give itself, peace. However, at the birth of Jesus, many politicians were worried that the one born to be King would unseat them politically, so they desired to destroy Him at the behest of Herod, (c.f., Matthew 2:13). The political powers of the day were afraid at the political power Jesus could possess.   In fact, throughout the life of Jesus, He was tempted and encouraged to take hold of great earthly, political power. One of the temptations that Satan laid at His door was the power to rule over all kingdoms of the Earth, (c.f., Matthew 4:8-9). His closest friends believed that He would establish an earthly, political kingdom, so they wanted to sit on his right and his left, (c.f., Mark 10:37). Pilate judged Jesus on charges that He sought political power, (c.f., Matthew 27:11). Yet, each time, the King of Kings explained that His kingdom was not of this world, and if it was, there would be political turmoil involved, (c.f., John 18:36). In His life on Earth, Jesus never sought political power though many sought Jesus to seize political power. However, the question is: Would you …