Barry O Johnson

Grace Christian Center
, Ohio

• Education: Diploma, Christian Theology, Grace Ministries Bible College Doctoral studies, Vanderbilt University Ed.S., Tennessee Technological University MBA, Tennessee State University BS, University of Tennessee
• Experience: Preached my first sermon in 1974. Received my ministry license in 2006 and ordination in 2014. Faculty member: Grace Ministries Bible College. Ministry calling: Teacher.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: I am a teacher and I normally teach from detailed outlines with lots of scripture. When I submit a sermon to Sermon Central, I have to go back and listen to the message to remind myself what I said.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: Dr. Jim Martin's series "Is My Eternity Secure?" examines scriptures that deal with the "once saved, always saved" issue. Excellent! It changed the way I view and respond to my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
• Family: Married 40 years Spouse, university professor 2 adult children
• What my parents think of my sermons: My Mom heard me preach my first sermon. She said "You have to be yourself. You can't preach Oral Roberts stuff forever." (That was my Mom!) My Dad heard me preach a couple of times and was blessed each time.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She enjoys my messages and because of her gentle prodding I don't use "you know" nearly as much.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Say what the Lord tells you to say Don't teach what you know. Teach what the Holy Spirit tells you to teach.
• Books that have had an impact: The Walk of the Spirit, The Walk of Power by Dave Roberson The Wigglesworth Standard The Bait of Satan by John Bevere
• Hobbies: Reading books about and by those mentioned in God's Generals, playing John Madden football (2004), listening to messages by other teachers
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Don't be ashamed of the gospel.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: I was teaching and said "God is not here to make you happy." As soon as I said that the song "Don't worry, Be happy" started playing in my mind and I started singing it. The congregation cracked up!
• What I want on my tombstone: He loved Jesus and didn't compromise to please.