PREACHING AND THE GREAT COMMISSION

When Jesus prepared to leave this world, He left the responsibility of continuing His work through the body of Christ—the church, (cf. Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Lk. 24:47-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8) .  It involves on one hand, evangelizing, as we are Gospel heralds calling sinners to salvation. Then, as people believe the Gospel and are saved we are to commanded to the task of “teaching them to observe ALL THINGS that I have commanded you,” (Matt. 28:20, emphasis added). 

While all believers are to participate in that mission, pastors are called to model it to the congregation.  For example, Timothy was charged, “Preach the word!” (2 Tim. 4:2), that is to declare “the whole counsel of God,” (Acts 20:27). It is to be done comprehensively.  “Be ready in season and out of season,” (2 Tim. 4:2), that is with consistency—wherever any occasion presents an opportunity, and if it does not, then create one!  Also, do it convincingly, “Convince,” (2 Tim. 4:2) using persuasion. Such preaching is done correctively, “rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching,” (2 Tim. 4:2)  Do it whether people want to hear it or not, and often they will not, (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3-4)! Yet, we are commanded, “But you be watchful in ALL THINGS, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry,” (2 Tim. 4:5, emphasis added).  Paul stresses that evangelism is crucial in Biblical preaching. 

Tim Patrick in his book, “The Whole Counsel of God,” makes this connection with evangelism and teaching:

We are comfortable knowing that what we tend to think of as preaching is not the only possible way of fulfilling what the New Testament calls for in evangelizing and teaching. Additionally, we think that extensive works of evangelism and Bible teaching could—and should—happen apart from the preacher’s weekly sermons. In fact, theoretically, we believe it could be possible for a church to be faithful to the Bible’s call to evangelize and preach without any pulpit ministry whatsoever. However, we also believe that preaching as we know it has become a great tradition of the church over the centuries precisely because it is an excellent means for both evangelism and teaching. (Location 604, Kindle edition). 

Here is a good diagram that Patrick offers: