THE PRIMACY OF PREACHING

In the book, “The Whole Counsel of God,” the author, Tim Patrick, makes the point in chapter nine that the Word of God is to be central in worship. Practicing what he is preaching, he grounds this exhortation in Scripture, underscoring Acts 2:42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The foundation of doctrine—teaching, instruction, exhortation, application—was central to the church as the apostles gathered the people for worship. From that flowed fellowship with one another, as truths they held in common united them, and inspired them in obedience to Christ’s command to partake of the Lord’s Supper and directed them in their prayers. See Patrick’s diagram shared below.

Patrick points out that the church had abandoned preaching—and no wonder it plunged into heresy. Luther ignited the Protestant Reformation by the truth of Scripture and demanded that preaching be restored to the worship of the church.

In this chapter, the author quotes Kent Hughes,

“God’s word must infuse everything. The careful reading of the word must be central. Hymns and songs must be word-saturated. Prayers must be biblically informed, redolent with biblical reality—often reflecting the very language and structure of Scripture. The preaching of the Word of God must be the Word of God. Such service requires principled, prayerful thought and hard work . . . it must happen in our hearts. Corporate worship must be word-centered if it is to glorify God as it ought.” (Worship by the Book, D. A. Carson ed., p. 159).

Paul commanded, 

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Tim.‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭16‬‬).

His final exhortation to his protege was to, “Preach the Word!” (2 Tim. 4:2a). Let us make sure that when we gather for worship that there is the primacy of preaching. It is why our pulpits are not off to the side, but centrally located. The focus is on the Word of God—not the human instrument, but the Divine message—and all flows from that.