The Kind Of Preaching Needed Today

Practically everybody has an opinion about preaching. Some like topical sermons, others like textual sermons, while there are those who enjoy expository sermons more than any other. Most folks want sermons "short and sweet" while others desire their "money’s worth" accepting nothing short of a good thirty minutes (True, these folks are rare birds and difficult to find, but they are out there). As we consider these matters let us notice a few things about preaching.

First, preaching is important. The Bible said that God has "manifested His word through preaching" (Titus 1:3). Jesus told his disciples that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:47). Paul stated that "it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). In another place the same apostle said, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher" (Rom. 10:14)? The Bible emphatically declares that preaching is important.

But in the second place, what kind of preaching do we need today? Preaching should always be…

    1. Bible-based: The apostle Paul would tell the young preacher Timothy to "Preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:2). Paul did not tell him to preach psychology, denominational dogma, the traditions of men, nor the latest in self-help psychobabble. He told him to preach the word! Why? Because only when the word of God is preached can men be saved (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; Jas. 1:21). Preachers need to make sure that their sermons are grounded in the text of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
    2. Plain: The words of God’s prophet Habbakuk fit well here, "Write the vision on tablets and make it plain, that he who runs may read it" (Hab. 2:2). Not only should we write the gospel plainly we must speak it plainly as well. Brethren need to hear forthrightly that denominationalism, materialism and worldliness of every sort is sinful. Brethren need to know the importance of putting the Lord’s kingdom first (Mt. 6:33) through diligence in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58). Preachers must be plain spoken, pulling no punches whatsoever.
    3. Heart-penetrating preaching: If preaching is Bible-based and plainly spoken, then it ought to be heart-penetrating. When God’s word goes forth, it will not return to Him void (Isa. 55:11). When the gospel was preached in the first century is "cut" or "pricked" men’s hearts (Acts 2:37). Let the gospel preacher preach "Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2), for the message of the cross will have a heart-penetrating effect.
    4. Christ-centered preaching: The Lord Jesus Christ ought to be exalted in every sermon preached. He is "King of kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev. 19:16; 1 Tim. 6:15). He should be at the heart of every message preached (1 Cor. 2:2). And it must be remembered that He cannot be exalted unless His bride, the church is exalted as well (Eph. 1:22,23; 5:22-33; Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28, etc.). People need to hear the story of Jesus that they may write on their heart every word.

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

Certainly there are other adjectives that we could discuss that should describe the preaching needed today. But let us dare not forget the need we have for Bible-based, plainly spoken, heart-penetrating, Christ-centered preaching. For this is the kind of preaching that can save the world (Mk. 16:15,16).

~ Bill Burk

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