Cookies on the shelf

Just Thinking ~       Yep
Billy Sunday said, “When I preach I strive to put all my cookies on the bottom shelf so everybody can reach them.”
What a joy it was this morning listening to Dr. Craig Edwards preaching his topical/textual series “The New Covenant” while on my way to Morgan Co. High to watch my grandson,Bryson, wrestle in the AAA Area Traditionals, on his way to state again this year. How plain and simple Dr. Edwards makes it.  Even I can reach those cookies! .

 Sitting here in the gym between matches, and reading a sermon by Dr. Harold Sightler (“The Four Hallaluahs”) I’m amazed at the simplicity of his sermons!    I began thinking about some of the old hero’s of the faith, those that built mighty churches by just preaching the word of God, plainly and simple,and it occurs to me that they ministered in such a way that even the least educated among us could understand. They ministered so all could all reach the cookies on the shelf!

I found out, in my years of pastoring, that if I could:
1. Win the lost to Christ and
2. Teach them to LOVE the Lord; that everything else would work its way out! 

Becky and I had the privilege in the early 80’s to go to hear Dr. Jack Hyles preach at the First  Bapt. Curch Hammond, In. ....(In the 1980’s FBC had a membership of more than 100,000. (Mind blowing)   Dr. Hyles may have been the most elementary of them all preaching the great truths of the Word Of God- He was a great topical preacher.
I think of the great churches and preaching of many of the giants of the faith that I loved to listen to.   Many of which I’d get their cassette tapes in the mail. 
Some of those men that come to mind.:
Dr. Lee Roberson —
Dr. George Truitt —
Dr Lester Roloff —
Dr. Ralph Sexton. (Sr and Jr)
Dr Bobby Robertson —
Bill Pennell—
Jack Hudson  -
Curtis Hutson.     And so many many more... Johnny Pope,  Adrian Rogers. Gosh, there were so many it would take all day to mention. 
Here is my observation:
The one thing I find that all these men had in common was: their preaching and teaching was simple. Most of them
For the most part always preached Topicial sermons - occasionally Textual.  They, like Billy Sunday, seemed to “always put all their cookies on the bottom shelf.”

    And while mentioning these men I would be remiss if I didn’t mention those those men of God I’ve had the honor to sit under these years I’ve served the Lord .......
Dr. James Ransom.   
Bro Hoyt Skelton 
Bro Willard Thomas
Dr. James Hatcher   
Bro Teague Groce
Bro  Ben and Snider Turner ,
Scott Culpepper 
Bro.  James Phillips
Cecil Wheeler. 
And of course my pastor:
 Dr. Johnny Knight
All these men of God could delve into His Word and ‘wax eloquent’ with the best of them.  But thank God for the cookies they placed on the bottom shelf!
                            Yep!

REV DS