“One might as rationally look for tropical plants in Siberia, as expect
a growth in grace and in the knowledge of God and Christ and eternal
life, under a monthly sermon from the fourth part of a verse, in some
figurative or symbolic passage, which only serves as an occasion for
the preacher to tell his dreams; or to retail, under new labels, the
obsolete and musty theology of days of darkness long since enrolled
with years beyond the flood”.
  These were the words of Alexander Campbell in 1839. The account we might
give today of nearly every denominational pulpit and many of our own wouldn’t
be much different. Fair would-be intellectuals glide across podiums using flowery
language to cover up interpretive fallacies and Bible ignorance. The only
difference today is that some know they have been found out, so they sprinkle
good-sounding scriptures throughout their sermons to soothe the shallow
listeners’ ears.

  Bible preaching has been forgotten. It should be the reason why the unsaved
want to visit the worship services of the church and why the saints always return.
The preaching is not a show, but it is a proof of the people’s practice. The
Methodist or Baptist person can visit and know from the proclamation of the
Word who Christ’s church is. Brethren can visit a church in their travels and
know it is faithful by the sermons presented at any given service. But instances
abound wherein people keep coming back not to hear “sound doctrine” (Ti. 2:1),
but to have their ears tickled time and again because they are fickle and unsettled
(2 Ti. 4:3,4).

  The preacher’s purpose is to persuade others to obey God (cf. Ti. 1:9). Thomas
Holland noted,






  

  Always listen attentively to the preacher’s message. Application is vital to Bible
hearers but entirely focusing on the family apart from the logos, or prioritizing
personal counseling without referring to divine counsel is foolish (Ps. 107:11; Lk.
7:30). Paul “shrank not to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Ac. 20:27
ASV). The only way we may know God is through His word just as one may know
much about a preacher and the church whom he represents by his word. Support
Bible preaching. “Ask for the old paths” (Je. 6:16), sermons that prickle and do
not tickle (Ac. 2:37).


Campbell, Alexander. Millennial Harbinger. Vol. 3. Joplin, MO: College Press
(Reprint), 1839, p. 196.

Holland, Thomas H. Preaching: Principles and Practice. Brentwood, TN:
Penmann Press, 1988. p. 51.



"When Paul wrote that “it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save
them that believe” (1 Co. 1:21), the emphasis is on the message, and not on the activity of preaching.
In fact, preaching may be damaging in its effect and destroying in its results if the wrong message is
preached. A perverted gospel brings condemnation upon the preacher (Ga. 1:6-9), and
condemnation upon those who believe a distorted message (2 Th. 2:10-12)".
References