PREACHING GOD'S WORD.

Jer. 20:7-13; 2 Tim. 4:1-4.

INTRO.

1. Even those who have only a vague idea of what the Bible teaches, realize that preaching the word is ordained of God. Titus 1:1-3.

2. Some of the greatest men who ever lived were proclaimers of God's word.

3. The Bible should be a preacher's training manual to anyone that is interested in preaching the gospel.

4. Every young man that has any desire to preach the gospel, should spend some time studying the content and characteristics of the sermons recorded by inspiration in the Bible.

5. We can by no means rise above that which has been furnished by inspiration. Matt. chs. 5-7.

6. The Lord will bless those that go here and there preaching His word. Rom. 10:11-21..

I. SOME OF THE PURPOSES OF PREACHING:

A. To save the lost. Mk. 16:15,16; Rom. 1:14-17.

B. To edify the saved. Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 20:17-35; Eph. 4:11-16; Jude 20.

II. KINDS OF PREACHING NEEDED:

A. Pointed and direct, or eye-opening preaching. Acts 2:22-24,36-38.

1. We cannot expect to convict and convince sinners by a "tread-easy", "go-lightly" type of preaching. Titus 1:9.

a. Yet, we shoud be careful to "season our speech with the salt of kindness and love." Col. 4:5,6.

B. Adapted preaching, that which meets the needs of the occasion and time. Note some examples:

1. John the Baptist, Mt. 14:1-12.

2. Stephen, Acts 6:8-15;7:1-60.

a. The preaching of Stephen got him killed.

b. The general impression of today is that the preacher should never raise his voice, nor especially should he suggest that someone will go to hell.

c. He should never dare say, "May your silver perish with you...You have no part or portion in this matter for your heart is not right before God", Acts 8:20,21.

d. Never, never should he say such things as: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit..." Acts 7:51.

3. Paul, Acts 24:25.

a. Those that know certain things ought to be preached, but refuse to do so, are "men-pleasers" and "time- servers". Gal. 1:10.

C. Distinctive preaching, preaching that can be understood and that makes definitely clear the stand taken on any Bible issue.

1. Preaching that is not distinct and clear and to the point is not gospel preaching.

a. This will require both positive and negative preaching, Mt. 6; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; Mt. 5:1-16.

2. To stand in the midst of certain sins and not condemn such, is to compromise the truth and allow sin to go unchallenged.

D. Applied preaching. This is preaching that is applied to the situation at hand and not in vague generalities.

1. In doing this, the principles of the New Testament are presented in such way as to fit the needs of the audience at hand.

a. In 2 Tim. 2:17,18, Paul names and identifies the false teachers.

b. Those who wish to tickle itching ears, instead of pleasing God, will not seek to apply their preaching. Ga. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:1-4.

III. KINDS OF PREACHERS NEEDED:

We often do not have the right kind of preaching because we don't have the right kind of preachers.

A. Like David -- must love the truth and hate evil. Psa. 119:97-112.

1. The right kind of preacher today will:

a. Preach the full gospel. Rom. 15:18,19; Acts 20:20-27.

b. Will respect the silence of the scriptures. Deut. 29:29; 1 Cor. 4:6.

c. Preach like the apostles, Acts 4:20; 5:29; 2 Cor. 4:13, with conviction.

1) Someone has said: "A man who will not preach his convictions, either is not a man or has no convictions to preach."

IV. RESULTS OF THE RIGHT KIND OF PREACHING:

A. Those with "good and honest hearts" will hear and obey, Lk. 8:15; Acts 2:37-42; Mt. 7:24,25.

CONCLUSION:

1. Yes, there is a definite responsibility left for us to preach the word.

2. Paul said: "Woe is unto me if I preach not the word."

3. But just as there is a great responisbility left for Christians to preach the gospel, there is also a great responsibility for all men everywhere to hear and obey the gospel.

4. Those that hear not and obey not the gospel will be condemned and banished from the presence of Almighty God, 2 Thes. 1:7-9.

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