The Cherry Log Sermons

by Fred B. Craddock

A collection of sermons on a variety of texts and topics, all showing the wit, gifted turn of phrase, narrative skill, and biblical insight of Fred Craddock.

Genres: Religion

115 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Andrew Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

For twenty weeks (there are twenty sermons in this book), Fred Craddock was my preacher (I am a pastor — I read a sermon of his every Saturday night until finishing the book).

It is hard to think of something to say in review of The Cherry Log Sermons that has not already been said: The storytelling is remarkable, Craddock’s inductive style keeps you engaged and wondering where he is going with it all, and the messages are profound, yes, but profound in their simplicity. Craddock was not preaching in hopes of having his sermons published. He was preaching to a congregation, offering them messages about how to live a life with and in obedience to God.

It’s that contextual nature of the sermons I want to applaud in review. The gospel is the gospel. Scripture is Scripture. The preacher has an obligation to study and preach the Scripture in context. As Craddock says in his book As One Without Authority, however, the preacher also has an obligation to keep his or her congregation in context, too. The Cherry Log sermons are preached in context to the people of Cherry Log Christian Church. Craddock shares with his congregation in the final sermon in this book, “Every Monday morning I take out the church roll, and here I go, praying for you” (115). These messages are saturated in prayer for a specific people in a specific place and time. Many preachers have read and will read this book, and I hope what stands out to them is what stands out to me: this is what sermons preached in love and in context sound like. I hope to go and do likewise.

[Sharman Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breath of fresh air! I love Craddock's wonderful way of telling a story when he preaches. His humor draws you in and his wisdom makes you pay good attention. I will surely be looking for more of his sermons, whether video, audio, or written, and adding him to my list of spiritual mentors.

[Lorna Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A master story teller at his finest. A true classic!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally agree a master story teller at his finest. A book that stays on my night stand to remind me how simple the message is when we search for the meaning.

[Darrell Vandervort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful devotional read. Outstanding example of powerful preaching as only Fred Craddock can.

[Dan Lupo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recommended The Cherry Log Sermons when I asked for a resource on storytelling in preaching. While I've known the name Fred Craddock for a while, I never have actually interacted with any of his work until now - and that's quite a shame. His preaching style and ethos is quite different from my context's, and while I didn't find this resources as immediately 'helpful' as I was hoping - I am certainly leaving a big fan of Fred Craddock. He is clearly a man who deeply loves Jesus, scripture, and people - and on top of that he is a funny, affable, and clear communicator.

[Ashley Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll miss reading these stories at night before going to sleep. Each sermon is its own parable, and often Craddock had me thinking about his message the next day. I loved the one on baptism.
Cherry Log is a special place—my husband’s family is from the area. I wish I could have heard him preach there.