Chapter Fifteen

Preaching The Word

We mentioned briefly in our last section about the responsibility of all Christians pertaining to preaching. We must realize that everything we do teaches a lesson to someone. We must take ourselves out of the thinking that only preachers preach. Every child of God is a preacher. Not everyone stands in the pulpit to declare God's will. But every Christian teaches by example, word, and deed. We teach that we believe in God. We do this by the way we live. God has an important meaning in our lives. We demonstrate it by the way we live. We said earlier that those in the world are watching us. We have told them that we are Christians. We must demonstrate our faith.

We preach a sermon in everything that we do. You preach a sermon to your neighbors every Sunday when you go to church. You teach them the importance of public worship assembly. We preach a sermon when we say our prayers. It teaches those around that we have faith and that we need Divine guidance and intervention. Every time we meet someone, we preach something to him or her. Now, we must evaluate ourselves to see what kind of sermon we are preaching.

Romans 10:15 (NKJV) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Jesus quoted Isaiah when He first began His ministry. This was the beginning. This is found in Luke 4: 16-21.

Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

The Apostles were given the great commission to "go preach". They were to go preach the gospel. Jesus told them to preach the gospel only. Because the gospel is the most important thing to know and have. The gospel is the grace of God.

Acts 10:42 (NKJV) "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

Ephesians 3:8 (NKJV) To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

We all have been given this command that we preach to the people around us.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

We must always be ready. We must always be prepared. How can we be if we are not living spiritual lives? We must focus on heaven as our goal. We must look to Jesus as our Savior. We must learn God's word in order to live it. We must share the Gospel with others who will teach others who will teach others who will teach others...

Galatians 1:8 (NKJV) 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.

We must be careful to preach the right lesson. When we preach the wrong lesson, we are accursed. If we preach by example that worldliness is all right, we are to be accursed. If we preach by word a false doctrine, we are accursed.

1 Corinthians 1:23 (NKJV) but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

Colossians 1:28 (NKJV) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV) For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.

We preach Jesus and Him crucified. This is the foundation of the gospel. It symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We teach why this had to take place. We teach the rewards that are promised to obedient followers.

Romans 1:15 (NKJV) So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

1 Corinthians 9:14 (NKJV) Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Colossians 4:6 (NKJV) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

We must be ready to preach. We must also live godly lives if we are to declare Christ in our lives. We should live according to what we teach. This means that hypocrisy is not allowed in God's kingdom. It is not acceptable. We need knowledge of Jesus and knowledge of His word in our hearts. When we know Jesus, we can teach Jesus. How can we know Jesus and live for Satan? Or, how can we live for Satan and claim to know Jesus?

Philippians 3:17 (NKJV) Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV) Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Once again our example is our sermon.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. {15} "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. {16} "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

What sermon do you preach by your lives. This great and awesome responsibility is yours. How you preach your sermons will determine your final reward.

Every member of the Lord's church is a preacher. This includes men and women. There are many that would think that if women had limitations placed upon them concerning the worship service, they were limited in what they could do. When all Christians were scattered about preaching the word, the Bible does not say that only the men preached but it does say that all went everywhere.

Ladies: This is for you to read and understand. You have just as much responsibility to teach the gospel as your husband, elder, or preacher does. Even though scripture limits you, concerning the public worship, you have a virtual limitless arena of evangelism. Anytime outside of the public assembly you can teach as long as you do not usurp your authority over a man. You can teach a man the truth. You can correct error if someone is teaching it. We read that Priscilla and Aquilla taught Apollos. The word "and" is a conjunction that combines both parties in the equivalent task of teaching. Some would teach that Priscilla was good and just kept silent and let Aquilla do the teaching, but that is not what the Holy Spirit said. The New Testament is filled with examples of godly women who were called workers, fellow-workers, and laborers of the vineyard. Some women have shirked their responsibility. Women have just as much responsibility to study to show oneself approved, a workman that needs not be ashamed, handling aright the word of God (2 Tim 2:15). Women have just as much responsibility to teach others the right way to live. If women can teach their children, they can teach anyone.

This does not take away from the responsibility of those who have prepared themselves to be preachers of the Gospel. Those who have dedicated their lives to the preaching have chosen a good work. Preachers are some of the best walking bibles because they have studied God's word. They know God's word. They know the purpose of God's word. They know its importance. They, in their preaching, try to teach others about God's word. They have learned about knowing and growing. They have learned how to understand God's will. They have applied it to their lives. They try to share it with others. This is a noble work and every child of God should show his or her support for anyone who will take on this task. Every man in God's kingdom should be encouraged to preach the word. Every young man should be encouraged and developed to take on this task. Preachers have a difficult task. They try to teach people how to live without telling them how to live.

Preachers: Do not let politics get in your way. You cannot please man and God. Preach the word. If people hate you because you tell them the truth, be proud. Do not water down the scriptures to keep from offending anyone. The truth is enough to offend sinners and convict them of their sins. If you do not teach them about their sins, you are not the faithful watchman that Ezekiel was told to be. Godspeed to all men who proclaim the word in its truth and purity.

May you always be faithful according to His will.

May you ever be true to His word and work.

May His blessings abundantly flow in your direction.

May God be with you all.

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