sermons. But more surprisingly, there are many preachers who do not know
the purpose of preaching. Merely quoting or reading scripture is not preaching.
Just talking without scriptures is not preaching. Having to say something is not
preaching; however, having something to say is part of preaching. The
preaching of the Gospel of Christ is not outdated and never will be! It does not
matter what some may say about it. The truth of God will prevail and remain.
God has designed that preaching be the means of causing people to know the
truth and thereby, be saved (1 Cor. 1:18-23). Yes, the public proclamation of
God’s Word is where the Lord has placed the emphasis. But what is the
purpose of preaching? Many people in the world do not know. Many people in
the church have forgotten. The Bible explains the purpose of preaching.
To declare the "good news"
Speaking of the process of salvation, Paul wrote that men preached “...glad
tidings of good things...” (Rom. 10:15). It was “good news” when the Lord was
born into this world (John 1:14; Matt. 2:10; Luke 2:10-11). It was “good news”
when John, God’s prophet and Jesus’ forerunner, declared that Jesus was and
is “...the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). It
was “good news” that Jesus fulfilled the Father’s Will and was baptized, not for
His sins (Heb. 4:15), but to obey the Father (Matt. 3:13-17; Heb. 5:8-9). It was
“good news” that Jesus promised His apostles: 1) the Comforter (John 16:13),
2) a prepared abode (John 14:1-3), and 3) a crown of life (2 Tim. 4:8). But the
real “good news” upon which all other “good news” is based concerns Jesus’
death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 5:6-11). Without His
resurrection from the dead, the promises of Christ are worthless. However,
because He did arise from the tomb, men have hope and eternal life.
To present the truth
God has loosed the method of preaching. One may preach through the media
(newspapers, periodicals, television, radio, etc.). One may preach various types
of sermons (topical, textual, expository). Sermons may be presented by use of
sheet charts, slides, or other visual aids through an overhead projector.
God has bound the message - TRUTH. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my
word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Jesus identified God’s Word as
Truth (John 17:17). He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Yet, is it not true, that the
major thrust of “preaching” in most places in not the truth of God? Men preach
philosophy, theories, ideas, messages of self-esteem, etc., but not the TRUTH!
To inform the listener of salvation
The Gospel preacher has the obligation to preach the Truth and people have
the obligation to listen. The salvation for some lost soul is the end that is
sought every time that a preacher stands to preach. In James 1, the writer gives
the process of salvation: 1) The word of Truth must be preached, 2) the word of
Truth must be heard, 3) and the Truth must be heeded (James 1:18-25). A
preacher may instruct his listeners (Acts 2:40; 16:32), but unless the hearer
acts, salvation will slip away (Acts 2:41; 16:33). It is not only important what we
hear, but how we hear (Luke 8:18).
To show the consequences of sin
If there is one ingredient that is noticeably missing in public preaching in this
generation, this is it! Yes, other ingredients are missing, such as, the scriptures,
sincerity, honesty, etc., but man must be convicted of his sins (Acts 2:37; 4:2; 7:
54). Sin separates man from God (Isa. 59:1-2). No amount of human
rationalization will change this truth (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23). Yet, people
deceive themselves into thinking that sin will go unnoticed and unpunished by
God. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither
whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written
in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). Paul warns all men of the destructive
power of God (Heb. 10:31; 2 Cor. 5:11). Since all men have sinned (Rom. 3:23),
all men are separated from God unless they are reconciled to Him by the body
of Christ (Eph. 2:14-17). Gospel preaching must instruct hearers about the
consequences of sin.
To produce faith
The purpose of miracles in the first century was to produce faith (John 20:30-
31). Likewise, man needs the Word of God (evidence, testimony of God) to
produce faith in this century. Peter proclaimed, “...Men and brethren, ye know
how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my
mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7). Jesus said,
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and
I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall
be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of
the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44-45). Without preaching or teaching of
God’s Word, there can be no faith (Rom. 10:13-17).
To condemn error and rebuke the erring
There is no place of tolerance when it comes to sin (Gal. 2:5). A distinctive
plea and message must be preached and heard. One can not and should not feel
secure in his sins after hearing a Gospel sermon (Acts 2:37). Unless one’s heart
is hardened, he will not feel secure in his sins (Heb. 3:12). Instead, one will
come to a full understanding of his soul’s condition (Ezek. 18:20; Eph. 2:12). It
is a mistaken notion that the erring will repent without the rebuke of God’s
Word (1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 2:15; Eph. 5:10-11).
Other points of sound preaching could be listed, such as, restoring the erring
and edifying the saved, but these suffice in demonstrating to us that God knew
what He was doing when He designed preaching to save souls! Are YOU
heeding God’s Word?
