When building anything of lasting value, it's important to lay a solid foundation -- and the foundation of our Christian faith lies in the Hebrew scriptures. In this collection of inspirational messages based on the First Readings from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary, five outstanding practitioners of the homiletic art explore passages from the Old Testament and the book of Acts. These ancient texts chronicle God's intervention in the lives of ordinary people throughout history, and the messages in this volume show how the stories of God's chosen people offer many lessons to guide us in our spiritual journey today. Drawing on diverse backgrounds and perspectives, this set of sermons for each Sunday and major celebration throughout the entire church year inspire us to see God's influence -- not only in our own lives, but also throughout all humanity.
This essential resource is useful for:
- Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts
- Inspiring preaching illustrations and sermon starters
- Understanding scripture passages
- Bible study and discussion groups
- Personal devotions and inspirational reading
Richard Gribble, CSC is an associate professor of religious studies at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts. Gribble holds a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America, and he has also earned degrees from the University of Southern California and the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.
Ken Lentz presently serves as a transition pastor for congregations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Grand Canyon Synod. Lentz holds degrees from Capital University, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and the University of Heidelberg, Germany, where he earned a Th.D. in church history.
William J. Carl III is the president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of the University of Tulsa, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the University of Pittsburgh (Ph.D.).
Donna E. Schaper has had a varied career as a writer, pastor, denominational executive, college chaplain, and community organizer. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College, Gettysburg Seminary, and the University of Chicago.
Robert A. Hausman is the pastor of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (ELCA) in St. Paul, Minnesota. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

This book gathers a diverse group of leading pastors and preachers and asks them, what is your best advice to colleagues in ministry about preaching and being a pastor? The responses are full of wisdom and practical advice, illuminating and helpful for all who are pastors and preachers. This book is a unique window into perspectives on ministry in the twenty-first century. It is an ideal book to give to one's pastor or a graduating seminarian. It is one pastors will turn to often for inspiration, insight, and wisdom.

This volume in the For Today series presents an accessible study of the familiar words of the Lord's Prayer. Well-known preacher and seminary president William Carl III interprets the prayer in light of how it was understood by Jesus' disciples and also the significant role the prayer can play in the life of Christian believers today. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter make this an ideal book for group study in churches or for individual reading and reflection.

The For Today series was designed to provide reliable and accessible resources for the study and real life application of important biblical texts, theological documents, and Christian practices. The emphasis of the series is not only on the realization and appreciation of what these subjects have meant in the past, but also on their value in the present--"for today." Thought-provoking questions are included at the end of each chapter, making the books ideal for personal study and group use.

When pastors look out over their congregations, there's a good chance that they see a lot of gray hair. This book gives practical instruction and examples of biblical and theological sermons to this growing population, enabling the preacher to proclaim the gospel more clearly for older adults. Covering topics from biblical and historical views of age to older adults' need for social justice, each chapter concentrates on the practical issues for preaching to this group and contains a sermon to illustrate the application of the principles discussed.

"I know it's not easy to believe in miracles in our time. The problem with them is not that they don't happen. The problem is that they do. The question is do we have faith enough to see them and experience them and God's presence in our lives Only you can answer that question for yourself."
-- from the sermon "The Problem With Miracles In Our Time"
The ten sermons in this book are based on Gospel texts from Matthew. Homilies follow the Roman Catholic, Revised Common, and Lutheran lectionaries.
"(These) are tough texts which lead, in some cases, to tough messages," writes Carl. "But since Jesus rarely pulled any punches, neither should we. Jesus... challenged us with the greatest cautions and warnings, since through us the people of God learn who God is."
William J. Carl III, Dallas, Texas, has served as associate professor of homiletics and worship instructor of New Testament Greek at Union Theological Seminary, Virginia.

Teaching preaching, and preaching to people-- "Carl's book is one of those very few books that can also give birth to a love for preaching among students and even stir up some flames from those burned out in the parish. . . .Far from being merely dazzled by the author's erudition, the reader becomes aware of, and is placed within, a vast cloud of witnesses who have sought to proclaim the faith of the church. The experience is empowering, energizing, and exciting." --Homiletic "This book's strength is in its comprehensiveness; it incorporates a theology of preaching and a concept of biblical and liturgical preaching as inherent to the preaching of theology. . . . Carl brings the best of both seminary and parish to this volume." --Word & World "This is a be-sure-you-buy-it book if you're still trying to preach!" --Clergy Journal William J. Carl III confronts the problem of using theological language in preaching through a combination of serious theological reflection, rhetorical criticism, cultural analysis, and practical homiletical advice. He examines the approaches of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Barth, and Tillich to determine how these theologians brought life to the pulpit and what today's preachers can learn from them. Preaching Christian Doctrine organizes and describes the various approaches to doctrinal preaching developed throughout the history of the church and across denominational lines, making this volume a unique systematic homiletics text dealing with the problem of preaching Christian doctrine today. William J. Carl III, President of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, was for twenty-two years Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas, and formerly taught Homiletics, Worship, and New Testament Greek at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia.