Olford Expository Preaching

After sixty-five years of ministry, Stephen Olford, founder of the Olford Institute for Biblical Preaching, was completing Heart Cry for Revival at the time of his death in 2004. Thoroughly immersed in scriptural reference, and full of consistent historical references to revival, Heart Cry answers the What, Who, Why, When, Way, Wind, Wake, and Wait of revival.

Is tithing just giving my ten percent? If I'm not a cheerful giver, should I not give at all? How do I give out of love and not habit?

Financial giving is a topic many people don't openly discuss. It is also a topic that many Christians misunderstand and undervalue. With a solid biblical perspective, Dr. Olford has penned a comprehensive, honest, deeply perceptive study of financial stewardship. The topics covered include:

• Keeping the work of God alive
• Giving joyfully
• Integrity on giving
• Managing gifts
• Tithes, offerings, expenses, and savings

Take a journey through Scripture to see the reasons for giving, the discipline of giving, and the motivation of giving. Application questions at the end of each chapter, and extensive biblical references for further study, make this an excellent guide for church, home, and individual use.

“Preach the Word . . . Do the work of an evangelist.” These two imperatives are as relevant today as when the great apostle Paul first dictated them. Even if a pastor or preacher doesn't consider themselves to be evangelists in the sense in which Philip was gifted, they are still mandated to “do the work of an evangelist.” To “reach the people and preach the Gospel,” it is our duty to God and our debt to humanity—in the local church and in the global ministry. The evangelistic expositions offered in this volume are messages Dr. Stephen Olford actually preached at an evening “Witness” service at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City.

The Subjects. These are varied but vital in substance and scope. In adopting and adapting these subjects for your own preaching ministry, Dr. Olford encourages the reader to change titles and modify structure, asking only that one remain true to the message of the text. Olford let his passion carry his message, and this set of tools is meant to help others do the same.

The Sermons. Even though the thirteen sermons are individual messages, each one is an exposition. Whether in the churches in the U.K., or at Calvary Baptist Church in New York, or crusades around the world, the author never preached an evangelistic sermon that was not expository. God has not promised to bless what we say; but He has promised to bless what He has forever said in His son, and in His Word. The sermons do not constitute a series per se, nor are they individual topical sermons. Each message is an expository treatment of a gospel theme—with its own call to decision. For this reason, there is no designed sequence that must be followed.

The Spirit. Paul reminds us that “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:6). Words, in and of themselves, cannot produce “the fruits of righteousness” in the lives of those to whom we minister, even though they may be divine oracles. The Apostle states this clearly when writing to the Thessalonians. Mark his language: “Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:5). So as you expound these evangelistic sermons, make sure that you claim “the Promise of . . . the Father”—even the enduement—“with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Blessings on you as you preach!