Preaching

by John Iverson

Introduction

1. Even those who have a vague idea of what the Bible teaches know preaching is ordained of God (Titus 1:1-3)
2. Some of the greatest men who have ever lived were proclaimers of God’s Word.
   1. Noah (II Peter 2:5)
   2. Solomon (Ecclesiastes 1:1)
   3. Paul (I Timothy 2:7)
   4. Jesus (Luke 4:18-19)

1. Some of the Purposes of Preaching
   1. Save the lost (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:10-17)
   2. Edify the saved (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 20:32)
2. Kinds of Preaching Needed
   1. Pointed and direct, or eye-opening (Acts 2:36-38). We cannot expect to convict sinners by a “tread-easy,” “go-lightly” type of preaching.
   2. Adapted preaching. Some examples:
      1. John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12)
      2. Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)
      3. Paul (Acts 24:25)
      4. Note: Men who know certain things should be preached but refuse to do so are “men-pleasers” and “time-servers.”
   3. Distinctive preaching. Preaching that is not distinctive is not gospel preaching. This requires both negative and positive preaching.
      1. Matthew 6:1-18; II Timothy 4:1-4
   4. Applied Preaching. Preach that which can be applied, not some glittering generalities. Present the principles of the New Testament in such a way as to make them applicable to the needs of the audience.
      1. II Timothy 2:17-18—Paul names and identifies false teachers.
      2. Those who wish to tickle itching ears instead of pleasing God will not seek to apply their teaching (Galatians 1:10)
3. Kinds of Preachers Needed
   1. We often lack the right kind of preaching because we lack the right kind of preachers.
   2. Like David—must love truth and hate evil (Psalms 119:97, 104)
   3. The right kind of preachers today who will:
      1. Preach full gospel (Romans 15:19; Acts 20:20-27)
      2. Respect the silence of the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 29:29; Matthew 28:20)
      3. Preach like the apostles (Acts 4:20; II Corinthians 4:13 (i.e., with conviction)
   4. Someone aptly stated: “A man who will not preach his convictions either is not a man or has no convictions to preach.
4. Results of Preaching
   1. Those with “good and honest hearts” will hear and obey; others will not see (I Corinthians 2:16)

Conclusion:

May God help us to preach his word faithfully.