A few days ago I was thinking back to a few classic sermons and essays that have made a significant impact on my own thinking and ministry. They are the sorts of pieces that can get lost in the shuffle in the midst of book recommendations, classic and contemporary. For example, a few that came to mind were:
- Thomas Chalmers, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection“
- Jonathan Edwards, “The Excellency of Christ“
- B.B. Warfield, “The Religious Life of Theological Students“
- B.B. Warfield, “The Emotional Life of Our Lord“
So I thought it might be helpful to ask some pastors and theologians what they would recommend as sermons or essays that have had a special impact on them, or that they would seriously urge students and pastors to consider reading.
I’m thankful for all of the responses. I’ve tried to add as many links as possible to free versions online:
Bryan Chapell
- J.I. Packer, “What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution“
- Francis Schaeffer, “A Day of Sober Rejoicing“
- Thomas Chalmers, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection“
Graham Cole
- “The Martyrdom of Polycarp“
- Adolphe Monod, Adolphe Monod’s Farewell to His Friends and to His Church
- B. B. Warfield, “Imitating the Incarnation“
Mark Dever
- Jonathan Edwards, “A Farewell Sermon“
Dever also mentioned three books:
- Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed
- John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress
- Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry
Kevin DeYoung
- John Piper, “Boasting Only in the Cross” (Passion OneDay 2000 sermon)
- C.S. Lewis, Introduction to Athanasius’ On the Incarnation
- J.I. Packer, Introductory Essay to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ
- Jonathan Edwards, “Heaven, a World of Love“
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “What Is Preaching?” (included in Knowing the Times)
- J. Gresham Machen, “What Is Christianity?” (in Selected Shorter Writings)
- J. Gresham Machen, “History and Faith” (in Selected Shorter Writings)
- J. Gresham Machen, “What Is the Gospel?” (in Selected Shorter Writings)
Stephen J. Nichols
- J. Gresham Machen, “The Good Fight of Faith“
- Jonathan Edwards, “The Most High, A Prayer-Hearing God“
- John Chrysostom, “Homily 21, On Ephesians 6:1-4“
Ray Ortlund
- Francis A. Schaeffer, “The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way“
- C. S. Lewis, “Three Kinds of Men“
- Martin Luther, Letter to Jerome Weller, in Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel, edited by T. G. Tappert, pages 84-87.
- Jonathan Edwards, on spiritual pride, in “Thoughts on the Revival,” in Works, I:398-403.
John Piper
- C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory” (first sermon in the book by that title)
- C.S. Lewis, Introduction to Athanasius’ On the Incarnation
- J.I. Packer, Introductory Essay to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ
- Jonathan Edwards, “A Divine and Supernatural Light Immediately Imparted to the Soul“
- Martin Luther, “Justification by Faith” (Luke 16:1-9) in The Protestant Pulpit, ed. by Andrew Blackwood
- Charles Spurgeon, “The Minister’s Fainting Fits“
- Charles Spurgeon, “The Blind Eye and the Deaf Ear“
- Geerhardus Vos, “The Scriptural Doctrine of the Love of God“
David Powlison
- B. B. Warfield, “Imitating the Incarnation“ (“The last page and a half offers the most riveting description of the goal of Christian living that I’ve ever read.”)
Fred Sanders
- Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man
- Athanasius, “Letter to Marcellinus on the Reading of the Psalms“
- Lancelot Andrewes, Private Devotions
R.C. Sproul
- Jonathan Edwards, “A Divine and Supernatural Light“
- This section of Luther’s last sermon at Eisleben
Carl R. Trueman
- R. V. G. Tasker, “The Biblical Doctrine of the Wrath of God“
- Martin Luther, “Two Kinds of Righteousness“
- George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language” [the most brilliant statement (and example) of clear prose—something which pastors and theologians need to grasp.]
Bruce Ware
- R.C. Sproul, Lecture on “The Locus of Astonishment” (A brief summary is available here. For a similar talk, listen to “When Towers Fall.”)
Donald Whitney
- Charles Spurgeon, “The Minister’s Fainting Fits,” from Lectures to My Students.
- Charles Spurgeon, Sermon on “The Eternal Name,” from Ps. 72:17, no. 27 (New Park Street Pulpit), May 27, 1855 PM
- Charles Spurgeon, Sermon on “Baptismal Regeneration“
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “‘But God': The Christian Message” (Ephesians 2:4)
Let the reading/listening commence.
Thank you so much, Justin for this incredible list, and especially the online links!
“J.I. Packer, “What Did the Cross Achieve? The Logic of Penal Substitution””
Boo yaa
“Boo yaa”
Is that a good thing???
What an amazing list. Where do I possibly start? Thanks for providing. An excellent idea.
David, http://www.redletterbelievers.com, “Salt and Light”
Warfield links for “Imitation of Incarnation” don’t work…
Nick, hopefully it works for you now.
The article by George Orwell is a punch in the face to deceptive and vague communication. I wish everyone would read it.
Thanks so much brother, I wish more bloggers, pastors, and preachers would share lists like this. They are truly helpful.
What? No CS Lewis? Amazing!
Here’s a C.S. Lewis essay that’s good reading: Priestesses in the Church?
There are actually 4 Lewis pieces in the listings.
Oh! My bad.
What a huge blessing this list is! I love seeing recommendations for suggested readings from leading theologians and pastors!
Justin, alongside some great classics here, I’d add Ben Patterson’s comparatively recent essay (really a one page opinion piece) in Leadership Journal The Inadequacy of Yes Theology”.
It was first published in 2004, which was my first year of full time ministry as a pastor after theological college. It gave me courage to “say the no” – to point out error – and not just simply affirm the truth.
Ministry changing for me – especially when the Toronto Blessing soon came to town and then to our church’s youth group.
Sorry for not finishing the hyperlink properly – but it will gets you to the article!
Great stuff! thank you so much.
Thanks for putting this together.