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SERMONS of DR. JOHN S. WALDRIP
Expository sermons by Dr. John S. Waldrip:
HOW TO MAKE AN APPEAL, PASTOR JOHN WALDRIP
Dr. John S. Waldrip (pastor, Calvary Road Baptist Church) teaches on Biblical Appeals: a humble, God-honoring method for those under authority wives to husbands, children to parents, employees to bosses to respectfully request reconsideration of a decision based on new information, without challenging or undermining the leader's position.
NEGLECTED PRINCIPLE OF WISDOM:PAGAN FRENZY; PASTOR JOHN WALDRIP
Pastor John S. Waldrip delivers a pastors' breakfast talk covering two core themes:
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Wisdom in Decision-Making - Advocates Scripture-guided wisdom over subjective “nudges,” emphasizing verified facts, the “two or three witnesses” principle, humility, fearing God, and avoiding hasty judgments or gossip.
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Biblical View of Tongues - Argues that New Testament tongues served as a warning sign of judgment on unbelieving Israel (fulfilled in AD 70), not an ongoing blessing; critiques modern charismatic practices as introducing unbiblical “pagan frenzy” instead of reverent, self-controlled worship.
A FORGOTTEN PASTORAL USE OF MEANS, PASTOR JOHN WALDRIP
Pastor John S. Waldrip explores a largely forgotten pastoral practice: elicitation personal, one-on-one conversations with seekers and hopeful converts to clarify the gospel, uncover misunderstandings, and discern genuine faith.
Drawing from historic Baptist figures (Stoddard, Nettleton, Spurgeon), he shows how this intentional dialogue was once standard for guiding souls and shaping sermons, yet is rare today.
He cautions that reintroducing it in established churches often sparks strong resistance or division due to aversion to change, while urging consideration for new church plants or mentoring young pastors.
QUERYING INQUIRERS AND HOPEFUL CONVERTS
Pastor John S. Waldrip shares Samuel Rye’s remarkable testimony -a former Maoist commander from Nepal who came to Christ through humble hospitality, trained under Peter Masters, and has led a sustained, low-intensity revival in the Himalayas for over 30 years.
He urges reviving elicitation: probing one-on-one conversations with seekers to clarify the gospel, detect false hopes, and confirm true conversion drawing from historic Baptists (Stoddard, Nettleton, Spurgeon) and the “two or three witnesses” principle.
A call for biblical discernment in evangelism and membership to avoid baptizing the unconverted.
LEADERSHIP THAT REFLECTS THE NEW TESTAMENT
Pastor John S. Waldrip contrasts modern “CEO/business-model” pastoral leadership (top-down control, program-driven, using associates as motivators/sheepdogs) with true New Testament leadership: servant-hearted, Spirit-led, empowering members through spiritual gifts for grassroots ministry.
Using Charles Spurgeon’s example - pastoring 5,500+ with minimal staff by fostering eager, converted believers who launched 22 ministries he advocates adapting to the flock’s gifts (Eastern shepherding: voice-followed sheep) rather than forcing conformity.
Cites Matthew 20 (rejecting Gentile dominion) and 1 Corinthians 12 (diversities of gifts/administrations/operations) to promote leading/feeding over controlling/driving, prioritizing true fruitfulness over numbers.
PASTORAL WARFARE 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-6 PT.1
Pastor John S. Waldrip teaches on spiritual warfare, comparing Satan’s strategies decapitation (removing leaders) and disinformation (deception, lies, confusion) to human military tactics.
Since Satan cannot always kill believers (martyrdom often advances the gospel), he primarily uses disinformation to neutralize pastors, fathers, and church/family leaders, rendering them ineffective without direct attack.
The two main targets: the family and the local church, which must cooperate to fight effectively.
Paul’s strategy in 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 is the model: spiritual (not carnal) warfare, destroying strongholds through truth prayer, preaching, evangelism rather than power confrontations.
PASTORAL WARFARE PT.2 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-6, DR. JOHN WALDRIP
Pastor John S. Waldrip unpacks 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 as Paul's strategy for spiritual warfare: siege (demolish strongholds of untruth/logic errors and pride using truth + humility) then seizure (capture every thought for Christ's obedience).
Pride and untruth are the enemy's core defenses attack them ruthlessly toward ideas, compassionately toward people.
Call to proactive warfare: penetrate mental barriers via gospel, prayer, Scripture; reject passivity; win daily battles for God's glory.
PASTORAL WARFARE PT.3-DR. JOHN WALDRIP
Pastor John S. Waldrip concludes his series on spiritual warfare with Paul's strategy in 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 as an aspirational model for effective Christian living and conflict.
He stresses implementation: adopt an offensive approach (siege strongholds of untruth/pride, seize thoughts for Christ's obedience) rather than passive defense; readiness to correct others must include openness to correction; balance zeal with restraint address issues with humility, truth, and wisdom, not force.
Emphasizes proactive spiritual engagement (evangelism, prayer, exhortation) in families and churches to win battles, minimize casualties, and glorify God victory is assured through Christ, but requires personal strategy, diligence, and courage over fatigue or passivity.
A final call to lead boldly, fight spiritually, and trust God's proven plan for fruitfulness.
CHRIST CRUCIFIED: SESSION 1- "THE OTHER THIEF"
This sermon, "The Other Thief" by Dr. John Waldrip, explores the profound conversion of the thief on the cross next to Jesus. Dr. Waldrip highlights the thief's recognition of God, repentance, and saving faith, contrasting it with the other thief who railed against Jesus. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith, not works, and that the cross is central to God's eternal plan.
HOW TO LISTEN TO A SERMON
How to Listen to a Sermon," highlights the crisis of unresponsiveness in modern church attendance. Pastor Waldrip identifies sin in the preacher or hearer, and a lack of listening skills as key issues. The message emphasizes active listening and outlines three crucial attitudes for effective sermon reception: eagerness, appreciation, and understanding of God's word.
AMEN
Pastor John S. Waldrip teaches on the biblical use of “Amen” in worship, arguing it is commanded and modeled throughout Scripture (Old and New Testaments, including Jesus’ frequent use) as a vocal affirmation of truth, praise, agreement, and acceptance of God’s judgments.
He explains “Amen” should be said aloud during preaching, prayer, and testimony to involve the congregation, reinforce doctrine, influence others to believe/do right, and participate actively in worship contrasting it with silence or passivity.
Includes an appendix rejecting clapping/applause in worship as worldly, interruptive, and unscriptural (never modeled positively; often linked to mockery or performance), favoring “Amen” as God’s ordained expression.
WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?
The sermon by Dr. John S. Waldrip, titled "Who Is This King Of Glory?" (Psalm 24:10), explores the prophetic nature of Psalm 24, linking David's relocation of the Ark of the Covenant to Mount Zion with the future triumphant return of the Lord Jesus Christ to Jerusalem. Pastor Waldrip emphasizes the qualifications for those who will accompany Christ, highlighting the necessity of "clean hands and a pure heart" through faith in Him.