Contributors
  • John Boquist

    Contributing sermons since Jul 18, 2008
John's church

Cardinal Baptist Church
Ruther Glen, Virginia 22546
804-994-2208

About John
  • Education: 2005 M.Div, Southeastern Baptist Seminary, Wake Forest, NC 1982 M.A., Vocal Pedagogy, The Ohio State Univ., Columbus 1980 B.A., Church Music, Mt. Vernon Nazarene College (now Univ.) 1976 Diploma, Wilson High School, Youngstown, OH (The place is now only a hole in ground, does that mean something?)
  • Experience: From 1982 to 2004 (except 84-86) I served three churches as full-time associate pastor, focusing on music. In the late 90s I sensed a call to a more pastoral ministry, and commuted to seminary for a little over three years. Cardinal is the smallest church I have served and the site of my first (hoefully last) pastorate.
  • Comment to those looking at my sermons: Feel free to use anything posted here in any way you’d like.
  • Sermon or series that made a difference: I remember preachers better than what they said inside a particular hour. Some of the most memorable are Doug Boquist (brother), Stephen Rummage (seminary prof), Adrian Rogers, Paige Patterson (both great Southern Baptists). Memorable preachers I have only heard but never met include R. G. Lee and Vance Havner.
  • One of my favorite illustrations: One church I served was in a building program while I preached from Galatians. The building had little more than footers and a few plumbing drains in place. I said the only way we could see the building was to consult the drawings and blueprints. When the building is complete, however, the need for blueprints and drawings all but disappear. In the same way, Jesus is the completion of the Old Testament and Jewish observances. Why look at the blueprint when you can walk in the building?
  • Family: Yvonne and I were married in 1983, and are the proud parents of Patricia (1988) and Elizabeth (1990). Both girls are active in the church fellowship and are pursuing college degrees. When I’m not doing something in ministry, I enjoy hanging out with family, preferably at a Barnes and Noble sucking down some Starbucks.
  • What my parents think of my sermons: Unfortunately, they were both in heaven when I started preaching regularly. In the few times they heard me teach or preach, they seemed to enjoy it.
  • What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: At the end of (just about) every service, she joins me at the exit to say good-bye to folks. Before anyone comes by, she gives me a peck on the cheek and whispers "Awesome!" Could it get any better than that?
  • Best advice given to me about preaching: Be yourself, but be your best self. (Stephen Rummage)
  • Books that have had an impact: The Bible (well, DUH), Baptists and the Bible (Bush & Nettles), Power In the Pulpit (Vines & Shaddix), The Story of Christianity (2 vols, Justo Gonzalez). I’ve also greatly enjoyed just about everything written by Tom Clancy and John Grisham, both are excellent story-tellers.
  • Hobbies: Reading, computers, coffee, hanging out, correcting my daughters’ lexical ambiguities (they’re really good sports).
  • If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Life goes by a lot faster than you think, and you have no knowledge or control of when it will end. Make peace with God now!
  • Something funny that happened while preaching: I just asked one of my daughters what they remembered, and she said, "I can’t think of anything, you must be a boring pastor."
  • What I want on my tombstone: Wow, that was quick!
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Newest Sermons

  • The Glorious Tasks Of Ministry

    Contributed on Aug 9, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 3,824 views

    In our ministry, there are various tasks, all of which can serve to glorify Christ.

    Text: Colossians 1:24-2:5 Title: The Glorious Tasks of Ministry Introduction Paul told the Colossians about his many tasks in ministry, all of which served to glorify Christ. In our ministry, there are various tasks, all of which can serve to glorify Christ. We are all called to ...read more

  • Jesus Our Motivator

    Contributed on Aug 3, 2008
    based on 1 rating
     | 4,327 views

    We can be motivated to continue in the faith by realizing that Jesus is supreme in everything.

    Isn’t music wonderful? This morning we’ve been blessed with all kinds of music, as we usually are. Music seems to speak to a part of the soul as nothing else does. I think we’ve all had times when we left church remembering what was sung more than what was said. In 1530 the great reformer ...read more

  • The Power Of The Gospel

    Contributed on Jul 25, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 9,154 views

    Our lives, individually and corporately, can display the power of the gospel.

    Text: Colossians 1:1-14 Title: The Power of the Gospel Most of the time, when we’re speaking or writing, we tend to put the most important information at the front end then move on from there. At the beginning of this letter, Paul and his partner Timothy give a warm greeting in the first ...read more

  • Becoming A Kingdom Church

    Contributed on Jul 19, 2008
    based on 19 ratings
     | 6,639 views

    The church today is tasked with advancing the Kingdom of heaven, here’s how.

    Being a Kingdom Church Matthew 16:13-20 Almost sixty years ago, our nation was shocked by the sudden death of our president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. We all remember the somber pageantry and mood in our nation Ronald Reagan died. But this was far more momentous because our nation was in the ...read more

  • Christ Is Supreme And Sufficient!

    Contributed on Jul 18, 2008
    based on 3 ratings
     | 4,022 views

    We need to be aware of false teaching which mixes other elements with the finished work of Christ.

    Introduction This sermon is an introduction for the next several Sundays as we go through the book of Colossians. The theme of the book is the sufficiency of Christ for all things. This is one of four Prison Epistles written by Paul from Rome about AD 60-62. (The others are Ephesians, ...read more

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Newest Sermon Series

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Newest Sermon Illustrations

  • The Suffering Of Christ's Messengers Ministers ...

    Contributed on Aug 9, 2008
     | 3,398 views

    “The suffering of Christ’s messengers ministers to those they are trying to reach and may open them to the gospel.” John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad p. 91 In this book, Piper tells the story of an indigenous missionary in India who walked barefoot from village to village sharing the gospel. ...read more

  • Lack Of Warning

    Contributed on Aug 9, 2008
    based on 2 ratings
     | 2,833 views

    LACK OF WARNING Imagine if the highway department only wanted to put up highway signs that made people feel good about driving. Instead of speed limit signs with a number, they would say something like, "Whatever seems right to you." Gone would be any signs indicating potential danger such as ...read more

  • Treasure Of Him

    Contributed on Aug 9, 2008
    based on 1 rating
     | 4,277 views

    TREASURE OF HIM The word "treasure" in the Greek sounds like our word "thesaurus." The idea behind a thesaurus is to explore every possible way of stating an idea. In the same way, everything that really needs to be known or said is rooted in Christ. This treasure ...read more

  • In 1530 The Great Reformer Martin Luther Wrote: ...

    Contributed on Aug 3, 2008
     | 1,605 views

    In 1530 the great reformer Martin Luther wrote: “I am not ashamed to confess publicly that next to theology there is no art which is the equal of music, for she alone, after theology, can do what otherwise only theology can accomplish, namely, quiet and cheer up the soul of man, which is clear ...read more

  • The English Word "Image" In The Greek Is Like Our ...

    Contributed on Aug 3, 2008
     | 1,626 views

    The English word "image" in the Greek is like our word icon. Now you know from your computer that an icon is a little picture that represents a larger program. In the same way, Jesus is a man who represents the fullness of God. He not only represents God, He is God. Another way the word was ...read more