Thursday, July 15, 2010

What's the Big Deal about Preaching?

"And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel'" (Mark 1:14-15)

I remember many years ago, beloved, a certain church in our community advertising a special service to which they wanted to invite everyone. They took out a large ad in the local paper and described in that ad all that would take place during the service. What caught my eye, however, was that in the largest and boldest print in that ad they placed in the very center two words - NO PREACHING! The primary drawing card for the people they wanted most to attend that service, then, was the promise that they would not have to listen to a sermon!

I wonder what Jesus would have said about such an attitude toward preaching the gospel to the lost? Mark records for us in his narrative that Jesus "came preaching the gospel of God." When it was time for His ministry to really gear up, what method of communication did Jesus choose? Preaching! And do you recall what the Apostle Paul had to say to those in Corinth about the place of preaching in God's plan for mankind?

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21)

Now you may be thinking at this point - "Of course, you feel that way! You're a preacher!" And to that I would simply add a hearty "Amen!" But it is not that I believe in the preaching of God's Word because I am a preacher, beloved, but rather that it is the way God has chosen to reveal His truth to a lost world. Do you recall one other thing that Paul wrote to those same saints in Corinth?

"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

Do you get Paul's point, beloved? Preaching is God's chosen method for reaching into the heart and conscience of every man! How many times have you walked out the door on Sunday after a worship service and said something like this to your pastor: "Great sermon, pastor! I really enjoyed it!"? What does that mean? When's the last time you said or heard someone else say in the same setting: "Powerful message, pastor! God's truth really convicted my heart and I am going to do something about it!"?

You see, beloved, preaching is not meant to impress or to entertain. Preaching is meant to transform! That is why Jesus came into Galilee preaching. That is why Paul said that he was anxious to preach the gospel. That is why any true herald of God's truth today steps into the pulpit week after week. It is because we want to see people's lives transformed by the power of God! I love what Pastor Ray Stedman said about this most special of all forms of communication:

"I do not think preaching will ever be superseded by anything else, because good preaching is, at its most essential, the revelation of reality. True, honest, biblical preaching allows people to see what life is really about" (The Servant Who Rules, p.40)

So what is the "big deal" about preaching? Only that it is the means God has chosen to impart biblical truth to masses of people. Oh, there will always be those who think that preaching is just "foolishness"! But for those of us who know better, it is the power of God to transform, to change human thinking and direction. Sinners have been saved by it, families have been rescued by it, nations have been stopped in their tracks and sent off in a new direction by it.

What can you do, then? If your pastor is preaching God's Word faithfully, the first thing you can do is start listening, I mean really listening! Get into your Bible and learn. Then begin to apply what God is showing you to your own life. Let the transforming power of God's truth make you a different person. Oh, and one other thing. As a preacher myself, let me urge you to let your pastor know how much you appreciate the time and effort he puts into bringing you each and every message from the heart of God.

Ron