Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Steve Mathewson
The Lion of Judah Roars in Suffering
What comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb? Revelation 5! In the apostle John’s vision of the heavenly throne room, he weeps and weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll containing God’s plan for establishing his kingdom on earth (v. 4). But then he receives word that the Lion of the tribe of Judah is able to open the scroll (v. 5). However, John sees a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain (v. 6). The slain-lamb image will be familiar to most readers of Scripture.
Judah and Jesus | Steve Mathewson | The Gospel Coalition
Although Genesis 37-50 is commonly known as “the Joseph story,” Genesis 37:2 introduces these chapters as “the account of Jacob’s family line.” Joseph is the main character, but another brother, Judah, emerges to play a surprising role in the continuance of the family line and in the gospel of Jesus the Messiah. While Joseph protects the family line in the moment, Judah is the son of Jacob who continues it and plays a surprising role in the gospel of Jesus the Messiah.
Preach in Light of the Eschaton
Matt Woodley sat down with Rev. Robert Smith, Jr., Professor of Preaching at Beeson Divinity School, to discuss Dr. Smith's big ideas about preaching. In this interview, Dr. Smith shares his passion for preaching from a future condition focus—or preaching that always keeps the Eschaton in view. You're a veteran preacher, and closely connected with the next generation of ministers. What are you passionate about in your homiletics classes these days?
A Sermon in Search of a Text
One of the greatest disservices a pastor can do to their church is preaching a sermon in search of a text. We’ve all done it, and sometimes a congregation needs to talk about important topics which necessitate it. But far too often, as a preaching coach, I hear sermons that are little more than the topic a pastor wanted to talk about, an axe to grind, or a hot-take on the day's news. Pastors, sadly, need to be reminded that we are neither talk-show hosts nor opinion piece writers.
12 Defining Moments: The Moment to Step Out
Editor’s Note: If you have missed any articles in this series, be sure to check out the Introduction article, where you can find all of the articles that have been released. Defining moments are rarely, if ever, determined by us. Time is not some kind of raw material, pliable in our hands. Time belongs to God, and in the fullness of time, God acts in ways purposeful and perfect. We are caught unawares by God’s movements. We have seen evidence of this in previous articles.
A Lesson Wise Moms and Other Influential People Can Teach the Next Generation
From the editor: Mother's Day is just around the corner (May 9), and should you decide to offer a message for the occasion, Steve Mathewson's look at Proverbs 31 might provide some helpful direction for your own preaching. If you're not planning on preaching a sermon about mothers, motherhood, etc, I would still suggest filing this one away for your records. Steve offers some great thoughts for preaching on parenting in general! Click here to listen to the audio.
Persuading Like Luke
One of the preachers’ roles is persuader. Under our sovereign God we want to produce change in the listeners—strengthening existing belief, overturning wrong belief, rebuking sinful action, or coaching new habits. “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Cor. 5:11). One of the best ways to persuade is with story.
Persuading Like Jesus
As the West continues to slide into a post-Christian worldview and lifestyle, preachers will do well to sharpen their skills in persuasion. To do this, we can learn from our Lord and use the greater-to-lesser (and lesser-to-greater) argument. To do this, a speaker begins by stating something that the listeners already believes—a “no-brainer”—and then connects that belief to a second statement that is not so obvious, the point actually in the crosshairs of argumentation.
Redeeming the Book of Judges
On March 29, 1996, a new documentary series premiered on E!, an NBC-affiliated entertainment network. The first episode chronicled the murder of young pop star Rebecca Schaeffer, who was shot and killed by a stalker in 1989. Audiences were treated to a twisting plot of intrigue through the sensationalized scenario of the starlet’s demise. Viewers were hooked.
What Biblical Preaching Is and Isn’t
[Editor’s Note: Haddon Robinson passed away in 2017.] Some questions people ponder all their lives. Einstein wrestled with the question of gravity till his dying day. On the subject of preaching, one of the elemental questions is "What is biblical preaching?" Everyone who takes Scripture seriously says we need to preach the Bible, but even the most ardent disagree widely about what that means exactly.
Honoring Tim Keller
Editor’s Note: This will continue to be updated as submissions come in. Randy Pope, Founding Pastor of Perimeter Church, President of Life on Life Ministries Thirty years ago, a mutual friend and spiritual influencer of both Tim and me, Terry Gyger, invited us to be part of a group of younger pastors that would meet annually. That group, called “The Gathering of Friends,” was designed to allow us to grow as friends and pastors, learning from one another and praying for each other.
Guest Preaching
Guest Preaching 7 things to consider before your next invitation. Image: carolo7 / Getty Determining what to preach as a guest preacher is often a challenge. For one, preaching at a church where you have no context can be unsettling, even unclear for the guest preacher. In addition, you have interests (passages of study or sermons you’ve preached before that are favorites) that might or might not intersect with what the congregation to which you’re preaching needs.
What It Takes to Be a Mother
From the editor Mother's Day is just around the corner (May 9), and should you decide to offer a message for the occasion, Mark Mitchell's look at the life of Jochebed (Moses' mother) might provide some helpful direction for your preaching. Introduction I don't know why, but it seems that when Mother's Day comes around each year, I can't let it pass without preaching a sermon on it.
A Love Letter to Mr. Covid-19
Maybe you’ve heard of the concept: writing a love letter to your enemy or archrival for all they have given you. It isn’t easy to do while looking through the thick fog of fear, loathing, and discontent brought on by Covid-19. But the exercise is noble and revealing. Let’s start a list of things we can thank the coronavirus for today: Thank you for revealing our fragile supply system and the downside of “just-in-time” inventory for a wide variety of products important to our national health.
How Can I Regain the Use of Greek and Hebrew?
After three decades in pastoral ministry, I can think of several reasons not to study the Bible its original languages. First, I am not a language whiz. My skills in Hebrew and Greek are average at best. Second, a good exegetical commentary will explain the grammatical and linguistic nuances of the passage I plan to preach this Sunday. Third, I need more time to read theology. Reading Hannah Anderson, James K. A.
Monster Brown Trout Save the Day - 2 Guys and A River
It is a late October afternoon, and rifle season has just begun. But the Montana weather is unseasonably warm. So my son, Luke, and I grab our fly rods instead of our rifles and head for the Beartrap Canyon in the Madison River. I’m looking forward to time on the river with Luke. I wish my oldest son, Ben, could be with us, but he is in college a thousand miles away. Luke and I find spots about thirty yards apart on a favorite run in the Madison about a mile upriver from where it leaves the Beartrap.
The Goodness of Creation
Don't miss the creative wonder of the Artist's masterwork. We represent and glorify God by taking good care of his creation. This motion features a beautiful forest landscape of pine trees. The tree lines reflection is below it creating a more abstract landscape. Faint subtle grungy texture moves slowly on the sides. The warm yellow hues help set a peaceful serene feeling. In the middle are the words “Small Groups”.
God's Love Language
God's Love LanguageLive and love in a way that makes God smile. Dan Meyer Average Rating: Not rated [see ratings/reviews] Read Full Transcript Introduction I. Live toward a better world II. Live toward the ultimate world III. Make God smile Conclusion Dan Meyer is pastor of Christ Church of Oak Brook in Oak Brook, Illinois. Dan Meyer:Follow|Search sermon OutlineThis sermon is available to purchase a la carte orfor PreachingToday.com subscribers at no additional cost.
The Jekyll and Hyde of Motherhood
God can use the tensions of motherhood to transform you. Introduction Motherhood opened a new world of conflicting emotions. I. Motherhood is a struggle between two opposing forces. II. God uses the tensions of motherhood to shatter our illusions. III. God uses motherhood to show us we need him. IV. God uses motherhood to reveal his character. V. We can relearn God's character. sermon OutlineThis sermon is available to purchase a la carte orfor PreachingToday.com subscribers at no additional cost.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Steve
Contact Steve, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack