Preaching from Hebrews. James Earl Massey
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Advance Praise for
Preaching from Hebrews…
Several years ago, after James Earl Massey spoke at our seminary, one of my students followed me out of the chapel service to ask, “How can I become that kind of preacher?” I couldn’t give a succinct answer but this book is a good step in that direction. Preaching from Hebrews demonstrates Dr. Massey’s love for the Scriptures, his meticulous scholarship, and his creative homiletical insights. Any careful reader will come out a better preacher.
J. Ellsworth Kalas Senior Professor of Homiletics Asbury Theological Seminary
Preaching from Hebrews is a masterpiece of seasoned insights from the esteemed biblical scholar and master preacher James Earl Massey…Massey takes us inside the mind of the author of Hebrews and showcases the preaching prowess and interpretive genius of this first-century follow of Jesus. No one who can offer a more comprehensive and compelling look at Hebrews than James Earl Massey. This is a “must read” for all students of the Bible and all preachers. It will make you want to preach from Hebrews!
Curtiss Paul DeYoung Professor of Reconciliation Studies Bethel University
As an exegetical surgeon, Dr. James Earl Massey carefully and precisely dissects the book of Hebrews and produces a commentary that is both biblically and theologically preachable. In Preaching from Hebrews, Massey demonstrates an intimate understanding and ready use of scripture in centering the book of Hebrews within the overall plan and comprehensive purpose of the whole counsel of God. His functional and applicable employment of the Greek language along with his special occasion sermons from various texts within the book of Hebrews make this volume a necessity and not merely a luxury for those who are serious about rightly dividing the Word of truth.
Robert Smith, Jr. Professor of Christian Preaching Beeson Divinity School
In Preaching from Hebrews, James Earl Massey brings together his unique skills as a biblical scholar and homiletician to create a new and different kind of book. In Part One, Massey provides an insightful commentary into the Book of Hebrews. In Part Two, he looks at Hebrews through the eyes of a preacher, bringing to bear his considerable skills as a one of the most significant homileticians of his age. This book enables today’s preachers to do quality exegesis in Hebrews and provides understanding about how context matters, how preaching themes can be developed, and how sermons can be produced from those ideas and themes. Massey provides examples from some of the greatest preachers who have ever lived and practical examples from his own preaching work. In the end, Massey’s greatest gift in this book may be to foster a new template for how preaching books should be written. I recommend it to all who want to grow in their preaching skills.
Jeffery W. Frymire Associate Professor of Homiletics Asbury Theological Seminary (Orlando)
My friend James Earl Massey loves the book of Hebrews. Get into this notebook of research findings and see for yourself! His years of in-depth study, with the intent of preaching from Hebrews, have yielded bountiful fruit in this volume. He takes pains to unearth theological and historical detail, then uses his discoveries to create a valuable resource for announcing the Good News.
Donald A. Demaray Emeritus Professor of Preaching Asbury Theological Seminary
Dr. Massey has given us a short guide to preaching from Hebrews that takes the history of the book and its place in the New Testament canon seriously. By carefully chosen examples, he shows us what can be done to make the text live in the lives of God’s people today. A great achievement.
Gerald T. Bray Research Professor Beeson Divinity School
This extraordinary study of the Letter to the Hebrews is an exhilarating pilgrimage into the heart and mind of James Earl Massey. His seasoned embodiment of the vocation of biblical hermeneutics and homiletics bears fresh witness to the challenge of preaching Christ to diverse audiences in modern times.
Cheryl J. Sanders
Professor Christian Ethics
Howard University School of Divinity
Contents
Advance Praise for Preaching from Hebrews…–i
1. The History and Influence of Hebrews in Early Church Life–19
Part II: Preaching from Hebrews
3. The Author’s Hermeneutic –75
4. Themes of “Holiness” and “Perfection”–93
5. The Author's Homiletic–105
6. Preaching from Hebrews–123
III. Illustrative Sermons
An Advent Sermon: He Was Like Us–157
A Lenten Sermon: The Days of His Flesh–163
A Stewardship Sermon: On Being Responsible–169
All Saints’ Sermon: Stay in the Race!–174
A Commitment Sermon: Our Noblest Pursuit–183
A Communion Sermon: Remember Where You Stand–188
Ascension Sunday Sermon: This Jesus–195
An Easter Sermon: Brought Back from the Dead–202
For Further Study–207
Index of Proper Names–217
Foreword
James Earl Massey holds together two traits that ought to characterize every minister of the Gospel but that often seem lacking or disjointed today: gravity and grace. Although he has a great sense of humor, there is nothing frivolous or cheaply funny about him. His words carry weight. He is a person of serious intent, and his preaching is marked by purpose. In a culture where words are frequently inflated, defaced, and manipulated, in a world where “words strain, crack, and sometimes break,” as T. S. Eliot put it, Massey speaks with clarity and eloquence—and out of the depths.
Such gravitas, in pulpit, pen, and personal devotion is balanced with a grace-filled life of service to Jesus Christ and his church. This is evident to all who know James Earl Massey, and I have known him well as friend and mentor for more than twenty-five years. His long and varied ministry has been marked by what St. Paul called “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22). His spirituality—deep but not pretentious—shines through in his demeanor and discipline, in his humility, compassion, and consideration of others. True godliness is the byproduct of having lived and walked with Jesus. It is evident that this is the source of both Massey’s character and his calling.
Massey is a master communicator in pulpit and classroom alike. He has served both church and academy in diverse roles and settings. For twenty-two years he served as senior pastor of the Metropolitan Church of God in Detroit, a congregation he