How does a sermon grow from Scripture? What differentiates one sermon from another? These are types of questions Murray seeks to answer—for both pastors and their congregations. He tries to cover a wide range of ground in short fashion, and that is the book’s undoing. While what was presented here was helpful to the extent of its reach, far too much was attempted in such a short volume. The result is choppy and often underdeveloped.  

It is good to read the mature conclusions of others in order to check our own conclusions. It may also stimulate fresh lines of enquiry. While depending on commentaries alone will generally produce stale and predictable sermons, depending on our own mind alone will eventually have the same effect. [57]

The preacher holds an ‘office.’ He is not preaching in his own right, but as an ambassador sent by God to deliver a message to the people of God. He, therefore, speaks ‘in Christ’s stead’, as Christ Himself would speak to the people were He present. [114]

No amount of speaking skills can make up for a lack of substance. [135]

When a house is on fire the passer-by does not spend any time thinking about how best to say the words ‘Fire, fire!’ The vocal sentiments and accompanying gestures will come spontaneously and automatically. So it should be with the preacher. If he feels the power of divine truth as he ought, his arms, body and voice will fit the words without too much conscious effort. [143]

A preacher cannot bear witness to Christ and to himself at the same time. [154]

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Depression has often been viewed with a stigma, particularly among Christians who seem reluctant to admit any areas of weakness or need in their personal lives. Countering such unhelpful attitudes is Murray’s booklet, a brief examination of the reality of depression—even among believers—and the seriousness with which it must be handled. Though he does not delve much beyond introductory explanations, Murray has put together an insightful, and necessary, starting point that deserves our attention.

If it is true that Christians don’t get depressed, it must mean either that the Christian suffering from depression is not truly depressed, or he is not a true Christian. But if this notion is false, what extra and unnecessary pain and guilt are heaped upon an already darkened mind and broken heart! [KL 63]

Like all affliction in the lives of Christians, depression should be viewed as a talent (Matt. 25:14–30) that can be invested in such a way that it brings benefit to us and others as well as glory to God. [KL 160]

If you feel like you did something very wrong, and you want to manage your sin apart from the cross of Jesus, depression is inevitable. We always want to believe that we can do something—like feeling really bad for our sins—but that is just pride. We actually think that we can pay God back, but this attitude minimizes the beauty of the cross and Jesus’ full payment for sin. [KL 689]

One of the most common contributory factors to depression is wrong and unhelpful thoughts. Many Christians who wouldn’t think of viewing God’s Word in a false way still make the mistake of viewing God’s world in a false way. As they view themselves, their situations, and their relationships with others, they tend to dwell on and magnify the negatives and exclude the positives. This distorted view of reality inevitably depresses their mood. [KL 797]

It is tragic that so many depressed Christians have to prolong their secret suffering because of a justified fear that no one can keep a secret in the church. The church is in desperate need of Christians who are known to have this simple talent—they keep confidences. [KL 960]

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