85: Preaching & Teaching with Crawford Lorrits

In this episode of Wordsmith, Dr. Clay Smith is joined by Meredith Beatty to explore Luke 4:14–30, where Jesus begins His public ministry in His hometown of Nazareth. Together, they unpack Jesus' reading from Isaiah 61, the significance of His message, and why the people who initially welcomed Him ultimately rejected Him. Their conversation challenges us to consider how our own expectations can shape the way we see Jesus and whether we're willing to recognize Him for who He truly is. Clay and Meredith also discuss the importance of understanding the Old Testament to fully grasp the life and ministry of Jesus. From the promises of restoration to the stories of Elijah and Elisha, they explore how Scripture tells one unified story pointing to Christ and how a deeper understanding of God's Word can expand our view of who He is. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined by Steven Bonham to unpack Luke 4:1–13 and the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Together, they explore what this passage reveals about the identity of Jesus, the reality of spiritual warfare, and how Jesus remained faithful to the Father in the face of temptation. They also discuss how Jesus' time in the wilderness points back to Israel's story and reminds us that He understands the struggles we face. From everyday cravings to our desire for approval and affirmation, temptation takes many forms in our lives. Clay and Steven discuss how we can recognize the things competing for our hearts, why relying on willpower alone isn't enough, and how spiritual disciplines like fasting can help us grow in dependence on God. Through it all, we're reminded that Jesus is greater than anything this world can offer. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

What can we learn about Jesus from one of the few stories Scripture shares about His childhood? As we continue walking through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by Meredith Stuart to explore Luke 2:41–52, where Mary and Joseph discover that 12-year-old Jesus has stayed behind in Jerusalem. What initially seems like a story about two worried parents actually reveals something much greater about who Jesus is. Together, Clay and Meredith unpack the historical and cultural context of this passage, the significance of Jesus' time in the temple, and what His words and actions reveal about His identity. They also explore the mystery of the incarnation, what it means for Jesus to be fully God and fully man, and how we understand His growth in wisdom and stature. Through this conversation, we're invited to look beyond the familiar details of the story and discover more of the person of Jesus. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Clay Smith is handing over the microphone! Student Pastor Logan Grantham takes the host's seat to ask Clay some questions as Johnson Ferry begins a new sermon series through the Gospel of Luke. Together, they explore why Luke matters, the importance of understanding Scripture in context, and how studying the life of Jesus challenges our assumptions about who He really is. What happens when we build our understanding of Jesus around the parts we like and overlook the rest? Clay and Logan discuss the difference between knowing what you believe and understanding why you believe it, the relationship between faith and evidence, and how to approach difficult questions about Christianity. Whether you're opening Luke for the first time or have studied it for years, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on knowing Jesus more fully and growing in confidence in God's Word. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay sits down with longtime pastor, author, and speaker Dr. Crawford Loritts for a conversation about preaching and teaching God’s Word. Crawford shares his journey from preaching his first sermon at 16 to decades of ministry, along with the people and experiences that shaped his approach to communicating Scripture. Together, they explore what makes preaching effective, the importance of depending on the Holy Spirit, how to keep Scripture at the center, and why great preaching is about more than communication techniques. They also take a practical look at sermon preparation, from understanding the text and its context to organizing, internalizing, and ultimately delivering a message with clarity and conviction. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined by Johnson Ferry Worship Pastor Bobby Smith for a candid conversation about money, generosity, and what it actually means to be a cheerful giver. Walking through 2 Corinthians 9, they explore why Christians can get so uncomfortable talking about money, why our motives matter when we give, and the difference between generosity that flows from obligation and generosity that flows from a heart transformed by grace. Along the way, the conversation tackles some complicated questions surrounding money and ministry, Christian celebrity, charging for Christian events, and the importance of integrity and accountability. Clay and Bobby also dig into prosperity theology and the idea that giving to God guarantees greater health, wealth, or material blessing in return. What does Scripture actually mean when it says God will provide and prosper His people? And what if God’s definition of blessing looks different from ours? Ultimately, generosity isn’t a transaction designed to get something from God. It’s a response to what we have already been given through Christ and an invitation to trust God with open hands.

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined by Shane Bruce, Johnson Ferry’s Executive Pastor of Operations, for a conversation about money, generosity, and what it really means to steward what God has given us. Looking at 2 Corinthians 8, they unpack Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian church to finish what they started and explore the difference between wanting to be generous and actually living generously. Why can conversations about money make us so uncomfortable? How does our culture shape the way we view what we have? And if we had more money, would we actually become more generous? Together, Clay and Shane talk about trusting God’s provision, developing healthy financial habits, and learning to see ourselves not as owners but as stewards. Whether you’re trying to get out of debt, build better habits, or grow in generosity, this conversation offers practical encouragement to start where you are, hold what you have with open hands, and faithfully use it for God’s purposes.

What makes a sermon faithful, engaging and effective? In this special preaching and teaching episode of Wordsmith, Clay sits down with longtime pastor and preacher Clint Pressley to talk about the art and craft of communicating God’s Word. Clint shares how his approach to preaching has developed over more than three decades of ministry, why he’s committed to expositional preaching and what his weekly sermon preparation looks like. Together, he and Clay explore how pastors and teachers can faithfully explain Scripture, clearly communicate the gospel and apply God’s Word to the people they’re called to serve. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

Why does God care about how we handle our money? In this episode, Clay is joined by John Farish to dig deeper into 2 Corinthians 8 and Paul’s teaching on generosity. Together, they look at the surprising example of the Macedonian church, a group of believers who gave generously even in the midst of hardship and poverty, and consider what their example can teach us today. Clay and John discuss why money can be one of the hardest areas of our lives to surrender, how generosity serves as an expression of genuine love and faith, and why giving is about much more than simply meeting a financial need. They also explore Paul’s repeated connection between grace and generosity, what it looks like to live with open hands, and why generosity is ultimately something God desires for us, not simply from us. At the center of it all is Jesus, who became poor for our sake and gives us the greatest picture of sacrificial generosity. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined by Pete Loescher, president of Radical Mentoring, to explore the role our stories play in shaping our calling. Looking at Paul’s testimony in Acts 22, they discuss why our personal stories can be some of the most powerful tools God gives us to connect with others and point them toward Him. Pete shares how Radical Mentoring helps people move beyond the polished version of their lives to honestly understand the experiences that have shaped them. Together, Clay and Pete unpack the importance of vulnerability, trusted community, mentorship, suffering, and learning to recognize the themes God has woven throughout our lives. They also explore what it means to stop viewing our experiences as simply “my story” and instead see them as part of God’s larger story—one that can be redeemed and offered as a gift to others. From learning to suffer well to giving our lives away for the sake of others, this conversation is an invitation to look back at where you’ve been, recognize how God has been at work, and consider how He might use your story to encourage someone else. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org