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.

FEED THE FLOCK

In preaching through books of the Bible, we must realize that our aim is not to just get through a book, but to get through to the people. We are not just giving out Scriptural information, but aiming for spiritual transformation.  In feeding the flock, the sheep need a well-balanced diet.  They may be lacking in a particular area, where a weakness needs to be addressed.  How can a good shepherd know unless he is regularly among the sheep in ministering to them.  His pastoral care informs his preaching choice.  Weigh these words:  

“A good preacher should know the flock intimately and have a consciousness of both their immediate circumstances as well as their characterizing values, idols, strengths, and challenges. For example, a church made up of people who are very confident in their salvation as a result of a robust understanding of justification, but who at the same time lack care for one another, might need to hear a series on James. On the other side, a congregation that has a very legalistic approach to being Christian might need to consider Galatians or Romans. 

Just as each week’s sermon ought to be preached with an awareness of these things, so too should the entire preaching program be shaped with them in mind. This highlights for us again that the work of feeding Jesus’s lambs with his word is intensely pastoral and missional, and that it requires the local overseer to be walking closely and sharing life with his people. An internet preacher cannot do this for a congregation, and an internet preaching plan cannot serve them well either.” (The Whole Counsel of God, Tim Patrick and Andrew Reid, Kindle edition, location 791). 

PLANNING YOUR PREACHING

After my conversion to Christ, I began to devour Biblical preaching.  It fed my soul and fueled my spiritual growth. Most every sermon I heard was from great expositors: Stephen Olford and James Boice on Sunday morning and Stuart Briscoe on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, I began to listen to and read books by Bible preachers like W. A. Criswell and John MacArthur.  My wife’s brother, Jim Crayton, was such a solid preacher who influenced me when I was called into the ministry.  

I knew that was the kind of preacher I wanted to be. I just didn’t know how.  So, I enrolled at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute as it was called before becoming a college.  There I sat under the instruction of the late Kenneth Ridings who inspired me to not only preach through books of the Bible, but informed me on the method of doing so.  

For nearly fifty years that was my pattern as I pastored churches. In my first church, Cane River, in Burnsville, I preached through the book of Genesis on Sunday evening, and was working my way through the Gospels on Sunday mornings. My intention was to systematically preach through the entire Bible. Serving there for three and one-half years did not allow me the time to finish!  Yet in the churches I served after that, we also had a Wednesday night service that gave me additional opportunities. In four churches—during which my longest tenure was six and one-half years—I preached through numerous books of the Bible.  Coming to Pole Creek, God privileged me to pastor those dear folk for twenty five years.  My planning for my preaching became much more intentional.

By fall, I would go away for several days all by myself.  It was just the Lord, me, and my Bible.  I had been thinking about what the needs of the church were currently and what the next book of the Bible would be helpful in addressing where we were spiritually.  Was our worship lagging? Maybe I ought to preach from Psalms.  Had our evangelistic zeal waned? God might be leading me to preach though Acts.  Was there some conflict and moral issues needing to be confronted? 1 Corinthians would address those.  Did we need a better understanding of how the church needs to function?  1 and 2 Timothy would hit that head on.  So, prayerfully I would determine the book of the Bible I would preach through each year—or several books, if they were shorter—and I would over the course of a few days, map out the direction of my preaching for the next calendar year.  I would lay out the title, text, and thrust of each message.  Then, I would share it with our worship leaders, so that the services would be planned around that day’s theme—especially music that reinforced the message.  There were times that I even suggested songs that enhanced the exposition.

God blessed this. I could have stayed and followed that pattern on and on until the Lord called me home.  The very practice taught the congregation to reverence God’s Word and the relevance of His Book, as well as what truths the individual sermons brought to them.

Here is how Tim Patrick states it in his book, “The Whole Counsel of God.”

For many of us who are preachers, it may be a good discipline to set aside something like a week or even half a week each year just to plan our preaching programs. Perhaps this could even be a time when we get out of our normal routines altogether so we can really focus on this critical high-level work. A few days away from the office, or at least with regular meetings cancelled and regular lines of communication closed, can make a significant difference to doing good, deep work rather than just quickly cobbling something together without properly thinking and praying through it all. It is always hard to carve out this time, because there is never a shortage of work to do in pastoral ministry, but we would argue that if pastoral ministry is grounded in good ministry of the word, planning this ministry deserves time and attention. Just because it is possible to get by without doing this does not mean that is acceptable or good in the long run. It may also be possible to get by in Christian ministry without visiting church members or without much prayer. But that does not mean either of these practices is faithful or healthy. We give time to the things we value, and if we preachers value our people and the whole Bible, we ought to give time to preparing a balanced diet. (Location 1567, Kindle edition).

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:

 

THE TASTE OF TRUTH

 

There are many symbols that the Spirit  gives  in the Scriptures that describe the Word of God. For example: it is a light, (Ps. 119:105), a fire, (Jer. 23:29a), a hammer, (Jer. 23:29b), a sword, (Heb. 4:12-13), a mirror, (James 1:23), a seed, (1 Pet.1:23), and milk, (1 Pet. 2:2). It is not surprising then, that in a book filled with symbols, we would find in Revelation 10, a scroll sent down from heaven that would be food for God’s messenger. There is the taste of truth.

Consider, THE SUSTENANCE FROM THE TRUTH. John is commanded, “Take and eat it,” (Rev. 10:9).  The man of God who is to speak a message from God must ingest and digest the truth, if he is to be strong enough to proclaim it faithfully, fearlessly, forcefully, and fruitfully.  Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” (Matt. 4:4, quoting Deut. 8:3). As literal bread sustains our physical life, we need the manna from heaven of God’s message as the sustenance of our spiritual life.  Are you partaking of this soul food with regularity?

When we do, then there is THE SWEETNESS OF THE TRUTH. John tastes the truth and affirms it is, “sweet as honey,” (Rev. 10:9-10). Bread is nourishing, but when it is lathered with honey, it is mouth-watering! The saints of God find His Word as sweet as honey. This is the taste of truth. It is in the Bible that we encounter our Savior as the Bread of Life, (John 6:48-51). In the Word, we experience our salvation—the sweet forgiveness of sin and new life in Christ. That sweet truth presents the wonderful promises and purposes of God for us, that can enable us to serve and encourage is to stand. We will pursue the study of God’s Word, if it is sweet as honey to us!  

Yet, there is also THE SOURNESS IN THE TRUTH. John was warned, “it will make your stomach bitter,” (Rev. 10:9-10). As truth tastes sweet to the saints, it becomes sour to the sinners. John was given a message of hope for God’s people, and how sweet it was! But, it was also a message of horror for the wicked—so bitter and so sour!  

The reality is that sinners do not like the light of the Word that exposes them. They scurry away as nasty bugs, hiding under a rock, when it is flipped over and light shines on them. The fire of the Word scorches them in reminding them of the eternal flame awaiting them. The hammer of Truth crushes them with conviction and they want nothing of it.  The Sword of the Spirit wounds them. They do not like the mirror of the Word for it reveals the ugliness of their sin. The weeds of the world choke out the seed of the Scriptures before it can bear fruit. Sinners consume the Devil’s delicacies and so have no appetite for the milk of God’s Word.

Yet, the man of God must preach the Word without fear or favor—whether the people want to hear it or not. I must confess there are sweet sermons that I salivate to deliver, but also there are sour sermons that I preach because I must, knowing they will be bitter for people to swallow. As the Apostle Paul, may it be said of us:

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭26‬-‭30‬‬)

THE MAN OF GOD AND THE WORD OF GOD

Titles can tell us a lot: President, Principal, Chairman, Coach, Doctor, Deputy, Attorney, Actor.  Titles convey a person’s authority and activity.  Some titles are impressive—“Lord” like those of a royal family; others are infamous—“Don” like those of a crime family.  Titles can speak volumes.

One of the most honorable of titles is to simply be called, “the man of God.”  That means you are His man—God owns you and you have surrendered your life in totality to His service.  The world may not hold that title in high esteem, but in heaven it is a title rarely bestowed and of exceeding worth. 

There is a special authority—you are God’s representative.  There is a select activity—you carry God’s revelation.  You have been sent into the world to proclaim God’s Word.  You are a herald of the King of kings and ultimate allegiance belongs to Him.

When we think of Moses, David, Elijah and Elisha we think of heroes of faith who stood tall for God and so whether having other titles like leader, king, and prophet, the best designation was the simple “man of God.”

Others who bore that title, carried no other—sometimes they were not even named.  They are as one of the men in our text: the man of God.  That’s it—no proper name given, no family designation.  He is God’s man—and that is enough to know.

The authority of the man of God flows from the Word of God.  He has been given the Word, and must speak the Word.  He has it engraved in his heart, utters it from his lips, and reflects his submission to it in his life.  The man of God is inseparable from the Word of God.

In these days of moral confusion and doctrinal compromise, how much we need the man of God with the Word of God!  Whether that man is a produce manager in the marketplace who stands for truth on the job or is a pastor in the church who speaks for truth from the pulpit—laity or clergy—there is a dearth of men who will surrender to God and speak for God!  There were few in Bible times, and there are fewer still today.

What are some lessons we can glean from the man of God with the word of God, as we study the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of 1 Kings?

We see that the man of God has A COURAGEOUS WORD FROM GOD, (1 Kings 13:1-10).

“Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord, and said, ‘O altar, altar! Thus says the Lord: ‘ “Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’ ” And he gave a sign the same day, saying, ‘This is the sign which the Lord has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out.’ So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, ‘Arrest him!’ Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.” (13:2-5).

From a human viewpoint, to stride into the presence of a king, and as a simple man to utter words of judgment, took great courage!  Surely, the man of God knew the danger involved.  Jeroboam was not happy!  The order came to have this man of God thrown into prison.  Whether it was Jeremiah in the Old Testament or John the Baptist in the New Testament, God’s spokesmen seem to spend a lot of time behind bars.  This is one reason why the church has often been known as a “non-prophet” organization.  People don’t line up to be cut in two, as Isaiah was thought to have been, or have their head cut off, like John the Baptist did.  When the deacon Stephen spoke God’s Word, the congregation gnashed their teeth in fury, took up stones and battered that man of God into a bloody pile of shattered bones.  No wonder there are not many applying for the prophet position!

It takes courage to speak with eternity’s authority against earth’s authority.  It requires courage to underscore there are objective standards in a world that has bought into the idea that there are no absolutes.  It takes courage to stand against the tide, to shout into the fury of the prevailing winds, and be faithful to God; it will cost us something and it may cost us everything!

We also detect a danger to the man of God in that there might be A COMPROMISED WORD FROM GOD, (1 Kings 13:11-34).

“Now an old prophet dwelt in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel; they also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king. And their father said to them, ‘Which way did he go?’ For his sons had seen which way the man of God went who came from Judah. Then he said to his sons, ‘Saddle the donkey for me.’ So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it, and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, ‘Are you the man of God who came from Judah?’ And he said, ‘I am.’ Then he said to him, ‘Come home with me and eat bread.’ And he said, ‘I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. For I have been told by the word of the Lord, ‘ “You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.’ ” He said to him, ‘I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘ “Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” (He was lying to him.) So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water. Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: ‘ “Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, ‘ “ ‘Eat no bread and drink no water,’ ” ‘ your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.” ’  So it was, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, the prophet whom he had brought back. When he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the corpse.” (13:11-24).

The greatest peril to the man of God is not from the wrath of man due to our faithful stand against sin, but from the displeasure of God as we are unfaithful to submit to His Word ourselves.  The man of God committed a “sin leading to death,” (1 John 5:16), which is a capital crime in the high court of heaven.  This man of God who had courageously faced the king and pronounced God’s message, falls in an unguarded moment of leisure.  One thinks of how David was able to face down a giant in that hour of crisis, but in the night succumbed to the lure of a slender woman.

The man of God had a clear word from God—and he compromised.  It seems like a little thing, but compromise never is.  It is defiance.  It is sin—and God doesn’t take it lightly.  Another “prophet” was complicit in this.  For his own personal benefit—his desire to entertain the “man of God”—he presents this ruse.  You see now why that old prophet who lived in the neighborhood was not sent by God to Jeroboam; that God instead, had to send someone from distant Judah.  That fellow was already a compromiser—and the old spider spins a web that traps the man of God.

It is interesting that there was a claim that an angel had given a different message.  There was a rejection of a clear word from God in favor of an additional revelation from a celestial messenger.  How many cults and false religions have sold the same lie—whether packaged as Mormonism or Mohammedism. This fascination with messages from angels is characteristic of New Age occultism.  Don’t be seduced.  You have a Bible—that’s enough!

Paul said a few things about this:

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:3-15).

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:6-10).

This is no small matter!  When the Word of God is compromised, we cease to be the man of God.  We have been swayed by spiritual deception or the desire to please man.  This is deadly.

The man of God has A CONVICTING WORD FROM GOD, (14:1-11).

“Now the Lord had said to Ahijah, ‘Here is the wife of Jeroboam, coming to ask you something about her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus you shall say to her; for it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.’ And so it was, when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps as she came through the door, he said, ‘Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another person? For I have been sent to you with bad news. Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘ “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘ “ ‘Because I exalted you from among the people, and made you ruler over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it to you; and yet you have not been as My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only what was right in My eyes; but you have done more evil than all who were before you, for you have gone and made for yourself other gods and molded images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back— therefore behold! I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male in Israel, bond and free; I will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as one takes away refuse until it is all gone. The dogs shall eat whoever belongs to Jeroboam and dies in the city, and the birds of the air shall eat whoever dies in the field; for the Lord has spoken!” ’ ” (14:5-11).

One man of God falls and God raises up another.  Ahijah had been faithful and will be faithful to the end.

Jeroboam knows who to turn to when he needs to hear from God.  Ahijah had already prophesied that Jeroboam would become king—and the Word had been fulfilled.  So, he seeks the man of God for guidance about the future, as he had proven reliable in the past.  Speaking for God will seldom bring us popularity, but it will demonstrate integrity. 

Do you want a doctor who tells you what you want to hear or what you need to hear?  My first surgeon had the personality of a cardboard box, but the ability of the best in his field.  That’s the one I wanted for my operation.  He cut me; it hurt, but I was healed.  This is what the Word of God spoken by a man of God can do.

Jeroboam would not take the prescription, even though he respected the physician.  That was the case of King Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist’s preaching, but would not repent; it was like Pilate who knew Jesus was innocent but caved in to political expedience.  I am fairly certain that both men are in hell—and that is what rejecting the Word of God will do.  Judgment fell on Jeroboam and his household accordingly.

Thankfully, the man of God also has A COMPASSIONATE WORD FROM GOD (14:12-20)

“Arise therefore, go to your own house. When your feet enter the city, the child shall die. And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he is the only one of Jeroboam who shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something good toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.” (14‬:‭12‬-‭13‬‬).

Even on the darkest days, God will sometimes send a shaft of sunlight breaking through the clouds—in wrath He remembers mercy, (see Habakkuk 3:2).  That is how the gracious God treats a little boy born into a wicked family.  His death was a precious gift.  He would be buried rather than consumed by dogs.  People would be mourning at his funeral instead of celebrating his death.  The little fellow would be welcomed by his Heavenly Father into heaven rather than following the wicked path of his human father, had he grown up in Jeroboam’s palace.

The man of God must share the Word of God, whether people want to hear it or not.  Sometimes, it is blunt and confrontational, smelling of fire and sulfur.  Then, there are times is it blessed and comforting, smelling as Eden’s flowers.

No matter how people evaluate it, ultimately, it is what God says that matters.  Let us be faithful to proclaim and practice the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth—so help us God!

HOW GOD PURIFIES A PEOPLE

Men, God works “through the word of God which lives and abides forever…Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you,” (1 Pet. 1:23b, 25b). Trust God and His Word. Preach the Gospel. Some seed will fall on hard soil and have no impact. Other seed will seem potentially received as people are moved emotionally or respond superficially only to fall away. But, some will respond fruitfully and their lives be changed for eternity. Let us preach the Gospel, confident in its power!

A PURIFIED PEOPLE

Sin separates us from God. This is a problem that we cannot solve. The distance between a Holy God and a sinful humanity is a chasm so vast we cannot cross. Since we are all sinners, we are all condemned. It is impossible to purify myself. That would be like trying to wash my hands in muddy water. Yet, God does not lower His standard. His demand is, “Be holy, for I am holy,” (1 Peter 1:16). 

God did what we could never do, for God can do the impossible. There was REDEMPTION.  Enslaved by sin, God came in human flesh—Jesus Christ the Son—to free us, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” (1 Peter 1:18). By His blood, payment was made to purchase us. “What can wash away my sins?” That is the question, the hymn writer posed, and went on to answer, “Nothing, but the blood of Jesus!”  This was God’s one and only predetermined plan—that in the crucifixion of Christ, the penalty for sin has been paid, and in His resurrection, the confirmation of His work has been sealed. “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God,” (1 Peter 1:19-21). 

A miracle takes place—REGENERATION.  We are no longer, slaves, but sons—no more sinners, but saints, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because ‘All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.’ Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:23-25). The seed of the Gospel is sown into the soil of the soul, and those who receive it are regenerated—born again of the Spirit working through the Scripture He has inspired. 

The evidence of being redeemed and regenerated is in RIGHTEOUSNESS. Having positional righteousness through redemption and potential righteousness through regeneration, there will be progressive righteousness in sanctification. This is not the root of salvation, but the fruit of salvation. 

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear…

 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,”  (1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭17, 22). 

As God’s children, we bear His image, and this should be an increasing reality more and more. We must choose to think properly, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind,” take this seriously, “be sober,” and trust fully, “and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  From start to finish, salvation is all of grace. Yet, He does not do the work apart from us, but in us as we rely on God and apply His grace by a will surrendered to Him.  The Holy God is marked by truth and love, so that as His children we will exhibit obedience to the truth and pure and passionate love for the family of God.

The people of God are a purified people—not perfect yet, but progressing toward it. John stated it, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬‬)

A PROPHETIC MINISTRY

 

Churches are often listed as non-profit organizations. Sadly, many have become “non-prophet” organizations. Can we find a prophet in the pulpit? James 5:10 exhorts, “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” 

First, a word of clarification. Many times we think of a prophet as a foretelling the future, when the emphasis in Scripture is “forth-telling” the truth. In both the Old Testament and New Testament, we find those who unveiled God’s program for the end of the age.  These were a select few who were gifted for a specific season. Yet, much of what the prophets proclaimed confronted the contemporary spiritual state of the people. The preacher has a prophetic ministry in this sense today—not to reveal new truth, but to apply the already revealed truth to our age. 

Thus, the primary duty of a prophetic ministry is SPEAKING. James said, “My brethren, take the prophets, WHO SPOKE in the name of the Lord, as an example…”[emphasis added]. What good is a preacher who does not proclaim the Word of the Lord?  We are to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God!  We are not entertainers, but expositors. 

As prophets of old, we are to speak with exegetical authority, evangelical urgency, emotional fervency, and eschatological clarity. The prophetic ministry has an authority that is exegetical—that is, it is grounded on the Rock of the eternal Word of God and not the shifting sands of current culture. It has an urgency that is evangelical—a matter of life and death, heaven or hell as we call people to decision. It has a fervency which is expressed emotionally—so there is not a dull recitation, but a passionate proclamation.  Further, there will be a clarity resting in the revealed eschatological program of God for the consummation of the age.

In speaking, we must be prepared for SUFFERING. Again, we consider James 5:10,  “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of SUFFERING...”[emphasis added]. You can be a church celebrity if you engagingly tell the people what they want to hear. Yet, a prophetic ministry will not bring applause from most, as it comforts them with sin and calls them to repentance. 

The Word of God, thus clearly preached will be as popular as scales to a fat person or a mirror to an ugly one! Still, there are some who will purpose to get in shape and enhance their appearance because of the truth of the scales and the mirrors. But, whether people accept it or are angered by it, the preacher is to proclaim it. The prophetic preacher must be prepared for suffering, however, because the mob will rise against him.

Finally, James stresses the need for SUSTAINING. “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and PATIENCE,” [emphasis added]. If the preacher embraces his call to prophetic ministry, he has his eye on eternity. It is not short term success that seeks human applause, but the long goal of faithfulness and fruitfulness that secures heaven’s approval that is our focus. This will sustain us in the suffering that comes from our speaking.

It is easy to quit in the face of angry church members. It is more comfortable to back down and trim the truth to suit the desires of the congregation. It is easy to say, “Woe is me,” when the people arise against our message of, “Woe be to you,” and become bitter and harsh. Yet, we can sustain our calling; the prophets did it and God will enable us.

One of my Fruitland professors, the late William W. Willingham used to encourage us with this song, and I hope it will do so for you.

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ. (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

WHAT WE CAN CONTROL

Some churches are on the incline. God’s work is obvious and the congregation is growing spiritually and numerically. They are alive and thrive. More churches are in recline. They are stuck and stagnant. As many come in the front door are going out the back door, and where amens were formerly heard, they have been replaced with yawns. In our day, most churches seem in decline. Their spiritual health is failing and the membership is fading. Before the year ends, a significant number will be in hospice care—or even deceased. 

Is it the preacher’s fault?  

Certainly, the pastor must look in the mirror of the Word and let the Spirit show him if he is not up to the task. A spiritual inventory is a necessity. It may be that the preacher has doctrinal departure, moral compromise, a lack of effort, or something else. I cannot see a church succeeding if their shepherd is failing. 

Yet, there are men of God who are true to the Word of God—men who pray fervently and preach faithfully—who still serve dying churches. Whatever strategies they employ, the results are the same. These pastors carry a heavy burden and shed many tears and wonder what they can do.

Hebrews 4:1-2 remind us to focus on what we can control. There were people who had made profession of faith, but without possession of faith, and they were departing from the fellowship. The inspired writer deals with this by presenting an Old Testament illustration of this New Testament reality in the children of Israel who did not attain the promise, but instead perished. Moses brought them out, but did not bring them in. The issue was not Moses’ leadership. He was not a sinless man, but he was a steadfast leader. It was not a failure of leadership, but a failure of the people. 

There was FAITHFUL PROCLAMATION, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them.”  Moses was a faithful and fearless proclaimer of truth. Yet, he did not bring them in. I have often said, “If the Word of God won’t do it, it won’t get done.” What is in control of the preacher is that he can prepare himself spiritually and studiously to preach the Word steadfastly—and see people reject the message and walk away. The Word doesn’t get it done, not through the fault of the preacher, but the failing of the people. 

The sad reality is there can be FAILED PROFITABILITY, “but the word they heard did not profit them.” Consider the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. Only one fourth of the fields were fruitful. The problem was not the seed—the seed was the Word of God. The problem was not the sower—he diligently spoke the truth. The problem was the soil as it fell on hard hearts with no receptivity, shallow hearts with only superficiality, and carnal hearts with worldly mentality. The preacher has control of being faithful in proclamation. If the Word of God won’t do it, it won’t get done, but sometimes it won’t get done because of the condition of the congregation’s hearts.

The issue here is a FAITHLESS PEOPLE, “the word…not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”  No matter how solid the message, how powerful the manner of delivery, and how anointed the messenger may be—all that is in his control—if the people do not respond in faith, then the congregation will not flourish. The Word rejected in unbelief will instead have a deadening effect. The sermon always gets results if it is faithfully, fervently, and fearlessly proclaimed by a consecrated man. People will leave the sanctuary different—better if they receive the Word, but worse if they reject it. 

If we try to shoulder a responsibility that is beyond our control, we face a risk. Moses became so frustrated and infuriated that he disobeyed God in anger. He would see the Promised Land and yet not enter it. Don’t allow anger and bitterness to lead you to make a mess of your ministry. 

Just do what is in your control. Live godly, pray fervently, love fully, and preach faithfully, and leave the results to God.

FUNCTION WITH UNCTION!

If you are not excited about the One you are preaching about, then how can you expect the congregation to be?  If the Word does not stir you, then why anticipate it will stir the people?  Jared Wilson says this:

Every seasoned preacher knows the experience of unction. Every now and again, in the Spirit’s kindness, he allows us, even in the midst of going through our preplanned outline or manuscript, to find a sort of jet stream where he more or less takes over. We are speaking, but we sense his presence and feel his power. He is giving us the words to say, and every word is like an arrow to the hearts of our people—arrows that bring life and warmth! They are like the illuminating beams of the one who is the radiance of the glory of God. Never has this unction been dispensed to me when I am dryly reciting facts or covering some other perfunctory matter. 

Never has it come when I, myself, remain unmoved by what I am declaring. It comes as I worship, as if I am chipping gleefully away at the dam of the congregation’s affections and my own, and suddenly the Lord simply blows the stones away himself. We feel that living water rush.

So, pastor: study yourself hot. Pray yourself full. Preach Christ passionately and gratuitously.” (Gospel-Driven Ministry, p. 54, Kindle edition) 

LOVING GOD AND LOVING PEOPLE

 

This picture could be drawn from John 21:15-17. 

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” (NKJV)

‭‭Loving the Lord and loving His lambs are bound together. To love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourselves summarizes all Biblical mandates. 

A preacher can love to be in the spotlight—to have the congregation’s focus on the pulpit on Sunday morning. It can feed the ego—and have no eternal significance. Paul put it this way: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor.‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭2‬).

You may preach with oratorical splendor and doctrinal soundness, but if our words do not flow from a heart devoted to the Father and His flock, it is worthless.

Church members smell like sheep.  They have a tendency to wander and when you seek them, you have to travel to places where you would not wish to go  It is a costly business.  Jesus said, “The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep,” (John 10:11).  He set the supreme example.  This is in contrast to the hireling—the man who does it as a job for his own benefit. “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.” (John‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬).

Sacrificial shepherd or self-centered hireling—which are we?

A COMPREHENSIVE MESSAGE FOR CONGREGATIONAL MATURITY

The second chapter of Titus commences with Paul telling Titus to “speak the things,” and concludes with, “speak these things.”  The method and manner of the preacher’s task is made clear. His method is to speak a comprehensive message that touches every member and his manner is to seek after congregational maturity.

The man of God must preach with APPLICABILITY, (v. 1-10). Doctrine is to lead to duty. Proper belief yields proper behavior.

There is a word for older men, (v. 2). Paul begins with them for they will be the mature leaders in the fellowship and in their family. There is to be seriousness, “sober,” sanctity, “reverent,” self-control, “temperate,” and soundness, “sound in faith, in love, in patience…”. 

There is a word for older women, (v. 3-4a). These godly women are to be trained to then disciple the younger women. They do so with reverence, “reverent in behavior,” restraint, “not slanderers, not given to much wine,” and with responsibility, “teachers of good things…[as they] admonish the young women,”. 

There is a word for younger women, (v. 4b-5). The education from what the older women speak and the emulation of what the older women show is to help the young women to mature. They will grow in devotion as those taught, “to love their husbands, to love their children,” grow in discretion by being “discreet, chaste,” and grow in discipline,”homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”

There is a word for younger men, (v. 6-8). They are to model a sincere character, “sober-minded,” a sanctified conduct, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works,” a steadfast commitment, “in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,” and a sound conversation, “sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”

The man of God must not only speak with applicability but with AUTHORITY, (v.11-15). When we preach the Word of God it will mature the people of God. This assures that we speak with conviction as we “exhort,” with correction as we “rebuke with all authority,” and with courage as to “Let no man despise you.” Here is a comprehensive message that will bring congregational maturity. This text covers the three dimensions of salvation. 

There is the commencement of salvation, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men…[in Christ] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us…”. The true Christian can confess, “I have been saved.” This is a past experience of redemption. Jesus died for us—His substitutionary sacrifice paying the penalty for our sins.

Then follows the continuation of salvation, “teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age… [redeemed] from every lawless deed and [to] purify for Himself His own special people zealous for good works.” The true Christian can confess, “I am being saved.”  This  is a present evidence of sanctification. We are to be a holy people in our lifestyle of self-denial and sincere devotion.

Ultimately there is the consummation of salvation, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”.  The true Christian can confess, “I will be saved.”  This is a promised expectation of glorification.  Paul said elsewhere, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ,” (Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬‬).

Now—PREACH IT! 

THE PASTOR’S APPOINTED AUDIENCE

 

A pastor is a man appointed by God. It is not a vocational choice, but a Divine call. He does not seek the position, but is selected for it. This call is affirmed by the church and confirmed by his works.  He is appointed to a threefold audience, as Paul described himself in 2 Timothy 1:11.

There is PUBLIC EXHORTATION as “a preacher.”  The Greek word is used of a herald. The herald went before the king and summoned those in the city to prepare to meet their sovereign. The pastor lifts his voice and passionately proclaims the coming of the King of kings!  He summons them to readiness to receive Him. The message is not the herald’s, but one appointed for him. The audienc is not of his choosing, but of the King’s sending. Thus, we have the anointed Word of God, and are sent to the appointed people of God to preach in light of eternity. We will give account for our faithfulness to the assignment and our congregation to their faithfulness in responding to the truth.

We are also called to PERVASIVE EVANGELIZATION as “an apostle.”  In the strictest sense of the word, there are no apostles like those of the first century. The Twelve were the pillars of the church erected on the foundation of Christ, the Rock of Ages. Beware any man that claims apostolic authority today. Demand that he meets the criteria of having been with Jesus, heard Him teach, and seen Jesus alive from the dead, (Acts 1:21-26).  Paul was an apostle in a special sense having been personally called, instructed by Christ, having heard Him and seen Him as the glorified, risen and ascended Savior. When these men died, there is no indication that others replaced them. They were unique in church history.

Yet, it is also apparent that that there were others whom I would call, “apostolic men.”  I think of Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Mark, Timothy, and Titus for example. The term literally means, “sent on a mission.” In that way, the pastor is an apostle for he has been sent on a mission. It is a global mission—the Great Commission of Matt. 28:16-20. Our appointed audience is those who are lost—wherever we find them. Paul told Timothy and all who are called to be pastors to “do the work of an evangelist,” (2 Tim. 4:5). 

Further, the pastor is called to do PERSONAL EDUCATION as “a teacher.”  Recall that while Jesus preached to the masses publicly, he was a teacher of the twelve personally—especially concentrating on the core of Peter, James, and John. Once we win people to Christ and they are born again, they need to grow up in Christ. This is often done in small groups—a more personal educational process.  One of the vital ways is mentoring men in leadership. By this our voice and ministry extends beyond our lifetime. As we reproduce biologically, so we ought to do spiritually—pastors producing more pastors.  

Thus, we preach to the congregation as we root them in the fertile soil of truth, are sent to the crowds as we scatter the Gospel seed far and wide, and teach the core in order to cultivate them to fruitfulness, whereby they may reproduce future harvests.

POWERFUL PREACHING

Paul was a powerful preacher. His impact is still felt two millennia later, and has shaken earth and eternity. It was not his personal charisma (he had none) nor his persuasive communication (he could not). In fact, this is what others said of him, “his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible,” (2 Cor.‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬‬). 

The Apostle would not deny the description, as he said this, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Cor.‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭5‬‬). 

Paul gets to the reconciliation of these polar opposites—human frailties overcome by heavenly force. This is what makes for powerful preaching as defined in 1 Thess. 1:5. 

Powerful preaching demands EXPOSITION THAT IS ACCURATE, “Our gospel.”  The Gospel Paul preached was accurate. The message was comprehensible, and convictional. If the message is not accurate, then God will not bless it. One may draw a crowd, but will not build a church.  People do not need novelties and entertainment. They need the Gospel, whether they know it or not and whether they want it or not.

Further, powerful preaching requires EXHORTATION THAT IS ANOINTED, “did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit.”  Paul knew what Martyn Lloyd-Jones called, “The Sacred Anointing.”  Being accurate is essential, but it is not enough. As old Vance Havner said, “You can be straight as a gun barrel theologically, and empty as one spiritually.”  We must have the Holy Spirit’s anointing abiding on us if there is to be true spiritual fruit. This is reinforced in the old hymn, “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.”

Brethren, we have met to worship

And adore the Lord, our God

Will you pray with all your power

While we try to preach the Word?

All is vain unless the Spirit

Of the Holy One comes down

Brethren, pray, and holy manna

Will be showered all around. (George Askins)

Also, powerful preaching calls for an EXAMPLE THAT IS ASSURING, “and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”  The Apostle did not just declare the truth—he demonstrated it. The old saying is, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”  Something may look tasty, but you do not know for certain, until you put it in your mouth. Assurance that the message is from God is that the preacher does not just speak the Word theoretically, but shows the Word visibly.  The people will receive the message when they see it modeled.  Otherwise, we are heralds who are hypocrites. This short-circuits the power of the Spirit. 

Weigh these words from the aforementioned Lloyd-Jones:

What is this [anointing]? It is the Holy Spirit falling upon the preacher in a special manner. It is an access of power. It is God giving power and enabling, through the Spirit, to the preacher in order that he may do the work in a manner that lifts it up beyond the efforts and endeavors of man to a position in which the preacher is being used by the Spirit and becomes the channel through which the Spirit works (Preaching and Preachers, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, p. 305).

God, help us be clothed in power when we speak Your Word!  That is the prayer for myself and all men of God who will preach the Word.

DIMENSIONS OF DIRECTION

Paul exhorts Archippus in his ministry. There are three dimensions in Colossians 4:17 that give direction in Gospel work. The Apostle points the preacher to the past, present, and future. The Holy Spirit inspired Word is as applicable to ministry today as it was then. 

There is the past dimension of calling, “the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”  Paul points Archippus to the sacred work of God in selecting him and setting him apart for his task. We do not deserve this high calling. It is a sovereign work of God’s grace—a treasured opportunity—that we have received. As someone once said, “If God calls you to be a preacher, do not stoop to be the president!”  It would be a step down!  Never get over the marvel that God would call someone such as us to such a noble work. 

There is the present dimension of caution, “Take heed.”  Archippus was being put on alert.  Satan is roving about as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” He will pounce on a preacher quicker than anyone, unless the man of God stays alert to the peril. If Satan can bring down God’s preacher then God’s people will stumble over him. The warning is for caution against compromise doctrinally and morally which disqualify the minister.  We see the scandals of fallen preachers, but must understand that the car wreck of ministry is seldom from a blowout, but a slow leak. They did not “take heed” to the pressure gauge and so little by little in small compromises the disaster eventually comes.

There is the prospective dimension of completion, “that you may fulfill it.”  Archippus is directed to the future—when he will stand before God and give account of his ministry.  We want to finish well, for there awaits the Judgment Seat of Christ. As a preacher has come to the end—he has preached his final sermon—and the last breath will be taken and the last beat of his heart will pulse, we want to have finished faithfully. I want to sprint down the homestretch and cross the finish line in glory a champion. There awaits a crown of completion to those who do.  Peter addresses the preacher who shepherds God’s flock faithfully to the finish as he promises, “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away,” (1 Pet.‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬‬)!

SEEING A SERMON

 

We have all heard the expression, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  When God sent His Son as the Incarnation of Himself, Jesus was, “The Word made flesh.”  Certainly, Christ spoke the truth about God, but He also showed the truth of God. To see Him was to see the Father. 

While the preacher will not accomplish this absolutely as Jesus did, nevertheless our objective is in speaking the Word in our communication of it, to also show the Word in our submission to it. Paul calls on us to do so in Philippians 3:16, “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”

There must be OUR DECLARING OF TRUTH, “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained…”. This is the apprehension of the Word of God.  We have attained a degree of truth, and should persistently seek to apprehend the message increasingly—to get a grip on the truth in such a way that the truth grips us. If the sermon does not move us, we may be sure it will not stir the people!  This is what it means to apprehend something, and in this case, it is to understand the meaning of the text. We grow our people as we grow in our understanding and help them to do so. Yet, with the clarity of God’s revelation, there comes responsibility—for the preacher, as well as the people, to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only,” (James 1:22). That brings us to our second point. 

There must also be OUR DEMONSTRATING OF TRUTH, “let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” This is the application of the Word of God. The rule of truth is established to gauge the straightness of our walk. The revelation of truth is expounded to grow the measure of our understanding. The old cliche’ is, “Practice what you preach.”  The familiarity of that phrase does not lessen the necessity of its performance.  This is the hardest part of preaching. While grasping the meaning of the text and conveying it in a clear and compelling manner is a challenge, the rubber meets the road when we not only share the sermon, but show the sermon.  Am I not a hypocrite if I urge the people to do something (read Scripture, pray, evangelize, give, pursue holiness, etc.) that I will not?  This is expressed in a poem by Edgar Guest.

Sermons We See

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. 
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, 
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear; 
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, 
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done; 
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. 
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true, 
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do; 
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, 
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind. 
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind 
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me 
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be. 
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today 
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold; 
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. 
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear, 
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear. 
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, 
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

THE POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD

Our words have amazing potential. James tells us that the tongue—though a small part of the body—has a large potential, (James 3:1-12). He likens the tongue to the bits that direct a horse—and that horse properly led can propel us on a journey or launch us off a cliff. There is the illustration of a rudder that can steer a ship to safely reach its destination or crash it upon the rocks in destruction. Further, he says, “the tongue is a fire,” and the fire can warm your house all winter, or burn it down!

Likewise, Paul gives command concerning the power of the spoken word in Ephesians 4:29, when the Apostle says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

While this is generally applicable to every believer, it should specifically direct the preacher, whose fundamental duty is to speak God’s message. This places a great responsibility and a grave accountability on him, so much so that we are also warned by James, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment,” (3:1). The quantity of words spoken by the preacher and the potency of those words elevates the possibility our speech may become destructive rather than instructive.

Therefore, Paul calls for THE EXCISE OF EVIL SPEECH, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…”. Evil speech is a malignancy in our mouth that must be excised. It is cancerous communication that if allowed even in small measure will spread with deadly consequence. 

Certainly, this would include crude language, but also deceptive speech, manipulative conversation, doctrinal error, boastful talk, and bitter expression.  All of this, as James states it, “is set on fire by hell,” (3:6b). We say so much and speak to so many that the weight of our words increases exponentially. 

The heart of our problem is the problem of our heart. Your tongue is a bucket and it draws out what is in the well of our heart. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” (Matt. 12:34b). The fruit of our speech is derived from the roots of our soul. This dark, desperate, depraved, demonic heart we have is poisoned beyond cleansing and wild beyond taming, (James 3:7-8). 

Our only hope is in regeneration. That which man cannot cure, God can heal. He gives us a new heart. Then, the Holy Spirit within us can tame our tongue. Yet, the potential in regeneration, must be practiced in sanctification. The cross must be applied to every area of the believer’s life. It must be for the preacher, and particularly his tongue. Let us pray, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips,” (Ps. 141:3). 

The negative to avoid is not enough, there is the positive to apply in THE EXPRESSION OF EDIFYING SPEECH, “but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”  Whereas, the speech of Adolph Hitler ignited a world war, the oratory of Winston Churchill extinguished those flames and helped propel the rebuilding of a civil society. God calls men to preach His Word and by that power He saves sinners and strengthens saints. While Paul demands the excise of evil speech, he directs us to the expression of edifying speech. Do not tear down with your words, but build up!

There is supernatural power in the preached Word. Here is the promise, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isa. 55:11). 

It is “A word fitly spoken [that is] like apples of gold in settings of silver,” (Prov. 25:11). It is proper speech precisely spoken that is a thing of beauty and value.  This is the preacher’s awesome privilege and power:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim. 3:16-4:5). 

The Apostle Paul reminds us that edifying preaching when it is received is helpful, but for those who reject it, it is hated. Truth that will grow the children, will grind on the counterfeit. The Word is a double-edged sword. Be faithful in your preaching and leave the results in God’s hands. Just make sure that you seek to edify.

EFFECTIVE EXPOSITION

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians should be the prayer of every expositor: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” (‭‭Eph. ‭1‬:‭17‬).  When there is the application of truth from the Holy Spirit—“the spirit of wisdom”—and the apprehension of truth from the Holy Scriptures—“the spirit of…revelation”—then expository preaching will be effectively powerful.

We should seek to be DISCERNING OF THE WISDOM OF GOD, “the spirit of wisdom.”  Wisdom commences with the understanding of the meaning of the text—proper interpretation.  But, it does not stop there.  We continue with the message of the text—practical application.  We then conclude with the mandate from the text—persuasive exhortation.  Simply put, we pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth, that we may open our mouths to speak it, and then open the hearts of the people to receive it.  Wisdom goes beyond the facts in the heads of the listeners, to seeing those facts become a force in the hearts of the people.  We help them see that the Holy Spirit will guide them in day to day decisions that impact them and influence others.  We must help the congregation to know, “Here is what God says,” and then declare, “Here is what we need to do about it!”

We should seek to be DIRECTED BY THE WORD OF GOD, “the spirit of…revelation.”  While the Holy Spirit brings us into application of the truth, the Holy Scriptures lead us into the apprehension of the truth.  To apprehend means to grasp something—in this case we get a grip on God’s Word. In so doing, the Word will also grab hold of us!  The will of God is disclosed in the Word of God.  We are not getting direct revelation—new truth—as those in the first century before the New Testament was completed.  Paul prayed for them to have a direct pipeline to God’s revealed will from heaven.  With the completion of the New Testament and the deaths of the Apostles and prophets, we are not receiving new revelation, but fresh illumination from the Word of God.  Then we will not only be guided by God’s wisdom, but governed by God’s Word.

If we pray for this and preach like this, then our exposition will be effective. Biblical information, practical application, passionate exhortation, and compelling illustration will produce powerful transformation.

If we do not want this, then why do we stand in the pulpit and speak to the people?  

A PREACHER OR A PEDDLER?

Paul was a preacher. He declared he was not a peddler. A peddler is someone who pulls together stuff from here and there at small cost and then sells it for profit. He takes secondhand goods and presents it as of great value. There are “preachers” who are really “peddlers.”  They take sermons from someone else and hawk them as their own. They are out for profit instead of being a prophet. Let us consider the Apostle’s message in 2 Corinthians 2:12-17. 

He speaks of the preacher’s OPPORTUNITY.  “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” (v. 12-13). 

God opens doors. We do not have to beat them down. When one door closes, then another opens. We must seize the opportunities when they are presented. 

When is it time to move on?  Paul had a restlessness in his spirit. I have often found that to be true, when the Lord is preparing me for the next opportunity. The peddler is a ladder climber. He is always on the move, looking for success, rather than where God is directing him.  

Also, note that Paul needed Titus and could not do all he wanted to do without “my brother.”  The peddler is usually isolated and feels self-sufficient. He does not want to be exposed for the “snake-oil salesman,” he is.  We are often shocked when one of these men are exposed.  The preacher who succeeds knows he needs accountability. He seeks those who will serve alongside him. His ego is not so inflated that he will not share the spotlight.

Then, there is the preacher’s VICTORY. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place,” (v. 14).  

The imagery is of a Roman general returning from battle. The citizens would line the streets to welcome the conquerors in celebration. Priests would wave censers as the fragrance of the incense would permeate the air.  The spoils of battle would be hauled in wagons. Captives would be chained to the chariot of the victorious general. Those who surrendered would become servants, whereas rebels would be executed. 

Christ is the conqueror.  His Gospel is the fragrance—of which we will say more. As we surrender to Him—chained to His chariot, if you will—then He leads us in victorious service. The peddler sets his own agenda. He is concerned about his glory and not celebrating the Lord’s victory. Such peddlers by their actions may disclose their destination to be condemnation, as they are unregenerate. 

Understand, the preacher’s GRAVITY.  “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” (v. 15-16a). 

The preacher understands the gravity of his task and focuses on the eternal accountability he has before God and the souls under his care. The peddler is concerned about temporal status and earthly reward. His ministry is about himself—not the Lord and the souls of men. I want to be gripped by the gravity of preaching God’s Word each time I stand behind the sacred desk. Paul tells us that eternal souls hang in the balance!

We must know the preacher’s SUFFICIENCY. “And who is sufficient for these things?” (v. 16b). 

The preacher recognizes that his work is too great for his natural ability. It takes more than his best. Our task is supernatural!  The peddler thinks himself adequate. He rests in the energy of the flesh. He struts around full of himself. If I am a man of God, I know that in myself I will be an utter failure. Apart from abiding in Christ, I can do nothing—as our Lord said in John 15. I must be empty of self and filled with the Spirit!

Paul’s desperate cry is answered in the next chapter.  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Cor.‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬‬). 

The peddler puffs his resume’. The preacher humbles himself. The peddler does letter preaching—trusting his skills—and that brings spiritual death.  The preacher does spiritual preaching—relying on the Spirit—which brings spiritual life!

Finally, we consider the preacher’s SINCERITY. “For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ,” (v. 17‬‬). 

The real preacher is a man of sincerity, while the peddler is a man of hypocrisy.  What the peddler is selling may indeed be true, but he is a fraud, and that sham will someday be exposed—if not here, then hereafter. The man God uses is real—the Word of Truth is proclaimed by a man of integrity. He speaks, “as from God,” representing the Lord of Glory. He speaks with an awareness that all he is, says, and does is “in the sight of God in Christ.”  The Lord Jesus is jealous for His Bride, the church.  He is watching. Jesus will be the guest of honor in the church tomorrow. While what the members say about the sermon is not unimportant, it is what the Master says that really matters. 

Are you a preacher or a peddler?  God knows. 

Peter was a preacher.  Not a perfect man, but a penitent man. He was real, and learned to humble himself and rely on the Lord. 

Judas was a peddler. He seemed a good man, but was a fraud. He was a hypocrite, who when confronted, stubbornly resisted, and went his own way—as Scripture says, “that he might go to his own place,” and that place was and will be perdition. 

May we fall on our face before God today—only His grace can fit us to be preachers rather than peddlers. How I need Him!

LET IN THE LIGHT

Spurgeon had this to say about the use of illustrations in a sermon:

We are of the same mind as Joshua Shute, who said: "That sermon has most learning in it that has most plainness. Hence it is that a great scholar was wont to say, Lord, give me learning enough, that I may preach plain enough.'" Windows greatly add to the pleasure and agreeableness of a habitation, and so do illustrations make a sermon pleasurably interesting. A building without windows would be a prison rather than a house, for it would be quite dark, and no one would care to take it upon lease; and, in the same way, a discourse without a parable is prosy and dull, and involves a grievous weariness of the flesh. The preacher in Solomon's Ecclesiastes "sought to find out acceptable words," or, as the Hebrew has it, "words of delight": surely, figures and comparisons are delectable to our hearers. Let us not deny them the salt of parable with the meat of doctrine. Our congregations hear us with pleasure when we give them a fair measure of imagery: when an anecdote is being told they rest, take breath, and give play to their imaginations, and thus prepare themselves for the sterner work which lies before them in listening to our profounder expositions.  

Riding in a third-class carriage some years ago in the eastern counties, we had been for a long time without a lamp; and when a traveler lighted a candle, it was pleasant to see how all eyes turned that way, and rejoiced in the light: such is frequently the effect of an apt simile in the midst of a sermon, it lights up the whole matter, and gladdens every heart. Even the little children open their eyes and ears, and a smile brightens up their faces as we tell a story; for they, too, rejoice in the light which streams in through our windows. We dare say they often wish that the sermon were all illustrations, even as the boy desired to have a cake made all of plums; but that must not be: there is a happy medium, and we must keep to it by making our discourse pleasant hearing, but not a mere pastime. No reason exists why the preaching of the gospel should be a miserable operation either to the speaker or to the hearer. Pleasantly profitable let all our sermons be. A house must not have thick walls without openings, neither must a discourse be all made up of solid slabs of doctrine without a window of comparison or a lattice of poetry; if so, our hearers will gradually forsake us, and prefer to stay at home and read their favorite authors whose lively tropes and vivid images afford more pleasure to their minds.  

Every architect will tell you that he looks upon his windows as an opportunity for introducing ornament into his design. A pile may be massive, but it cannot be pleasing if it is not broken up with windows and other details. The palace of the popes at Avignon is an immense structure; but the external windows are few that it has all the aspect of a colossal prison, and suggests nothing of what a palace should be. Sermons need to be broken up, varied, decorated, and enlivened; and nothing can do this well as the introduction of types, emblems, and instances. Of course, ornament is not the main point to be considered; but still, many little excellences go to make up perfection, and this is one of the many, and therefore it should not be overlooked. When wisdom built her house she hewed out her seven pillars, for glory and for beauty, as well as for the support of the structure; and shall we think that any rough hovel is good enough for the beauty of holiness to dwell in? Certainly a gracious discourse is none the better for being bereft of every grace of language.  

Meretricious ornament we deprecate, but an appropriate beauty of speech we cultivate. Truth is a king's daughter, and her raiment should be of wrought gold; her house is a palace, and it should be adorned with "windows of agate and gates of carbuncle." 

Illustrations tend to enliven an audience and quicken attentions.  Windows, when they will open, which, alas, is not often the case in our places of worship, are a great blessing by refreshing and reviving the audience with a little pure air, and arousing the poor mortals who are rendered sleepy by the stagnant atmosphere. A window should, according to its name, be a wind-door, through which a breath of air may visit the audience; even so, an original figure, a noble image, a quaint comparison, a rich allegory, should open upon our hearers a breeze of happy thought, which will pass over them like life-giving breath, arousing them from their apathy, and quickening their faculties to receive the truth. (Lectures to My Students, Charles Spurgeon, Kindle edition, pp. 350-351).