If a preacher is looking for good sermon material
to preach that a congregation really needs to hear, then the preacher
should spend some time in the study of the division of the Bible
we call the Minor Prophets. This reminds me of a story about brother
Tom Butterfield (or as I have heard him affectionately referred
to as "Old Tom") who wrote to his brother George, asking
him to send him some sermons he could use. George sent him a New
Testament! That will preach!
The term "minor" is not in reference
to their worth or importance but to the actual length of the writings
when compared to the "major" prophets. The Minor Prophets
are abundant in lessons for Christians in the United States. I
have several good books on the Minor Prophets, but David Pharr's
book is one I wanted to add to my personal library. It is an excellent
source of material that can be converted to sermons that congregations
need to hear! In fact, this material was a series of lessons presented
at a Preacher's Workshop, but the demand for the material led
to the publishing of it in book form.
Often we hear about our country's being given
over to materialism. Indeed, this is a disease that appears to
have infected some in the church. The condition today is not unlike
the situation when God sent the prophets to teach and warn Israel
to "consider their ways"; e.g., Haggai 1:5. Indeed,
many in the church and our nation need to reflect on their priorities.
In his outline, "Stealing From God But Cheating Self"
from Malachi 3:8-12, brother Pharr's conclusion states "We
have been commanded to give as we have prospered. Liberal giving
is an act of faith. Covetousness and the miserly giving that proceeds
from it are characteristic of criminals and heathen, not faithful
servants of a beneficent God." This book will show us what
messages God gave through the prophets for the nation of Israel
to reflect upon. Indeed, we need to hear and heed the messages
of the Minor Prophets.
David Pharr attended Freed-Hardeman College (and
was classmate with Alan Highers, Editor of The Spiritual Sword),
Rio Grande College, and Southern Christian University. He was
the former director of the East Tennessee School of Preaching.
He has published the Carolina Messenger for several years
and is a frequent writer for The Spiritual Sword. Any material
written by brother Pharr is worthy of our consideration. -29 Flora
Dr., Bedford, OH 44146-2011. DRKenney@email.com For previous book
reviews, visit www.streetsborochurch.org