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Quotes by Irvin Busenitz

1

Prayer is the ultimate acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty.

2

Prayer may not change your circumstances, but it will change your perspective.

3

The preacher’s proper task is to deliver the goods, not to manufacture them. He is the waiter, not the chef. Therefore, the biblical text must be his resource, the fountain of truth to which he constantly resorts, from which he himself continually drinks, and from which he faithfully draws to satisfy the thirst of others. Exercising this kind of control over topical preaching is hard work.

4

When preaching on a theme, a theological doctrine, or a historical event or character, the expositor must endeavor to utilize
Scripture fully in his preaching. His task is to unfold the Scriptures, not merely to enfold them into a topic. The latter will bend the Word to conform to the preacher’s perspective; the former will bend the preacher’s perspective to conform to the Word.

5

Topical preaching has many benefits. First, used at the end of one book study and before starting another, it provides variety. The change from one type of presentation to another often contributes freshness and causes increased attentiveness. Preaching on a theme or salient point of doctrine can give people a greater understanding of a particular subject, resulting in a greater impact on their lives… Second, restricting preaching solely to the verse-by-verse method without including any kind of didactic treatment of major biblical themes, doctrines, and ethical teachings is to make an unbiblical distinction between preaching and teaching, thereby withholding from a congregation essential perspectives on the Word.

6

It is the Word that is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12). It is the Scriptures that bear witness about Christ (John 5:39). It is the Gospel that is “the power of God for salvation” (Rom 1:16). Desire to be relevant or current must not prevail over biblical authority. Through the knowledge of the Word, the Spirit of God convicts, directs, and strengthens for Christian living.