Who have been the most influential pastors and authors (popular pastors and authors) in your thinking and why?
For me there are a handful. First is John MacArthur. I had his sermons downloaded to an ipod (now I just stream them). I like that he makes these resources available without charge. He had a sermon a long time ago discussing God's will (a little over 20 years ago he wrote a book titled "Found: God's Will). I realized the importance of God's Word and the freedom of the believer when abiding within His Word through MacArthur's sermons.
Then there is John Piper. I found both Piper's sermons a blessing but perhaps the most impact was his book "Desiring God". I do not like the term he developed (Christian Hedonism) as I think it problematic however his focus on the change we have in our desires and in our lives was something that resonated with me when I read the book (I guess about a decade or so ago, I can't remember when it came out).
Tim Keller's sermons had an impact on my thinking as well. My favorite is "Come and See". I have this downloaded and listen to it on a fairly regular basis. The theme of the sermon relates to how we point people to Christ. I liked his illustration of watching a movie and urging others to see it. When you explain it the joy you had in watching the movie does not translate. Others can only know by seeing.
The last I'll mention is C. H. Spurgeon. Spurgeon's published sermons are his reworks of the sermons he preached. I had downloaded, and still have downloaded, many of his sermons. I've several books on Spurgeon and have books of his sermon notes. My favorite Spurgeon sermon is "Choice Portions". The reason is that in this sermon Spurgeon explores the uniqueness of the relationship between the church (and its members) and God.
What about you guys? Any stand out?
For me there are a handful. First is John MacArthur. I had his sermons downloaded to an ipod (now I just stream them). I like that he makes these resources available without charge. He had a sermon a long time ago discussing God's will (a little over 20 years ago he wrote a book titled "Found: God's Will). I realized the importance of God's Word and the freedom of the believer when abiding within His Word through MacArthur's sermons.
Then there is John Piper. I found both Piper's sermons a blessing but perhaps the most impact was his book "Desiring God". I do not like the term he developed (Christian Hedonism) as I think it problematic however his focus on the change we have in our desires and in our lives was something that resonated with me when I read the book (I guess about a decade or so ago, I can't remember when it came out).
Tim Keller's sermons had an impact on my thinking as well. My favorite is "Come and See". I have this downloaded and listen to it on a fairly regular basis. The theme of the sermon relates to how we point people to Christ. I liked his illustration of watching a movie and urging others to see it. When you explain it the joy you had in watching the movie does not translate. Others can only know by seeing.
The last I'll mention is C. H. Spurgeon. Spurgeon's published sermons are his reworks of the sermons he preached. I had downloaded, and still have downloaded, many of his sermons. I've several books on Spurgeon and have books of his sermon notes. My favorite Spurgeon sermon is "Choice Portions". The reason is that in this sermon Spurgeon explores the uniqueness of the relationship between the church (and its members) and God.
What about you guys? Any stand out?
