Quote

The preacher who jests and jokes with his people all week will soon find that he cannot stand in his pulpit on Sunday with power to reprove, rebuke and exhort. He may be the life of the party but it will be the death of the prophet.

Vance Havner

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Vance Havner
Age: 77 †
Born: 1886
Born: February 16
Died: 1963
Died: May 2
Clergyman
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Plainfield
New Jersey
Power
Jokes
Reprove
May
Soon
Jests
Find
Week
Exhort
Life
Stand
Rebuke
People
Party
Pulpit
Christian
Preacher
Death
Prophet
Cannot
Sunday

More quotes by Vance Havner

Image
The world does not hate its own. It does hate our Lord. It hates His followers. Where do you belong in this lineup?
Vance Havner
Image
When Christ possesses the will He keeps it fixed. The trouble comes when we take matters out of His hand and try to handle them ourselves.
Vance Havner
Image
Revival is simply New Testament Christianity, the saints going back to normal.
Vance Havner
Image
At the rate America is decaying morally, we shall have to change our national symbol from an eagle to a vulture.
Vance Havner
Image
Where are the marks of the cross in your life? Are there any points of identification with your Lord? Alas, too many Christians wear medals but carry no scars.
Vance Havner
Image
There was a time when ministers spoke forthrightly and named things. We don't name anything anymore. Finney had a sermon on How to Preach so as to Convert Nobody. He said 'Preach on sin but never mention any of the sins of your congregation - that will do it.'
Vance Havner
Image
When I pastored a country church, a farmer didn't like the sermons I preached on hell. He said, Preach about the meek and lowly Jesus. I said, That's where I got my information about hell.
Vance Havner
Image
There is great need today for the New Testament prophet who speaks to edification, exhortation, and comfort, a strengthening, stirring and soothing ministry.
Vance Havner
Image
What we love usually manages to get into our conversation. What is down in the well of the heart will come up in the bucket of the speech.
Vance Havner
Image
God is on the lookout today for a man who will be quiet enough to get a message from Him, brave enough to preach it, and honest enough to live it.
Vance Havner
Image
To build character of purpose and integrity is our high mark, and that cannot be done in a world where there are no adverse elements.
Vance Havner
Image
If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees.
Vance Havner
Image
We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God.
Vance Havner
Image
Many people have the right aim in life, they just never get around to pulling the trigger. The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps -- we must step up the stairs.
Vance Havner
Image
Revival precedes evangelism. The church must first repent. This is the blind spot in our eye today.
Vance Havner
Image
You can't preach it like it is if you don't believe it like it was.
Vance Havner
Image
We need men of the cross, with the message of the cross, bearing the marks of the cross.
Vance Havner
Image
Do not so contemplate eternity that you waste today.
Vance Havner
Image
If the devil cannot keep you from being saved, if next he fails to make you backslide, then he undertakes to keep you just an average Christian. Here he succeeds with most believers.
Vance Havner
Image
Too many are willing to sit at God’s table, but not work in his field.
Vance Havner