The important element in preaching is the message of God. Paul wrote to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16 NAS). The same apostle wrote to the Corinthians, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not {come to} know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor 1:21 NAS). Then Paul also said, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor 4:7 NAS). Man is a means through which the message comes, but the message itself is the absolutely essential element in preaching because it is from God.
To the young preacher Timothy, Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NAS). The writings of the Bible are inspired of God, truly divine in origin and nature. If anyone wants to know what God thinks one must read and study the Scriptures because they are the ideas, thoughts, oracles and will of God. Those who wrote both the Old and New Testaments wrote as they were “moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21; Acts 2:4; I Cor. 2:13; Matt. 22:43; Heb. 1:1-2).
The sacred writings are profitable for “teaching”: all men need to know what is true about God, Jesus, salvation, the church, the Christian life, judgment and eternity. They are profitable for “reproof”: the idea here is to use the word of God so as to bring one to a conviction of his sins, to see his faults. They are profitable for “correction” or improvement: the right use of the word will help all honest hearts in error, or astray, to be restored “to an upright state” – Thayer. We all make mistakes and need correction. The Scriptures are also profitable for “instruction” or “training in righteousness.” The training that is truly good, right and wholesome is accomplished by wise and faithful use of God’s word. This includes the training of children and the instruction adults need as well.
It is the all-sufficient word: “that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17). God’s word is all-sufficient in truth, love and power to fully equip the man of God “unto every good work.” In this respect the Holy Scriptures differ vastly from all other writings and are greater in value than the sum total of all others. The Bible is the world’s most dynamic message. Its incomparable power is corrective, uplifting, soul changing and life-giving. It is the one thing needful (Lk. 10:42). It is God’s power to turn sinners from the power of Satan to God. It is the Great Physician’s textbook on sin and salvation. It contains the bread of life and the water of life.
Because of the excellent nature and sufficient power of the Scriptures to accomplish their purpose, and in view of the realities of life, time and eternity, Paul gave this unchanging charge: “I solemnly charge {you} in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim 4:1-4 NAS). Paul’s charge is distinctive and specific as to the thing to be preached: “Preach the word.” The word of Christ is the thing to be preached to produce the faith which is in Christ Jesus. God is as specific and exclusive as to the thing preached as when He commanded Noah to build the ark out of gopher wood. We are limited in preaching to what is authorized in the words of the New Testament.
The word of Christ must be preached without compromise, as directed. There is no acceptable substitute for faithful preaching of His word (I Cor. 1:18, 21). The gospel is now and will ever be “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16; Matt. 28:18, 20). The word of Christ is God’s remedy for the sins of the world in all grievous times. We have no authority to preach human notions, speculations or hobbies in pulpit or classroom, as we face eternity-bound souls. It is a sin against God and man when the gospel, the very thing Jesus authorized, specified and commanded to be preached, is not proclaimed.
Paul also gives more reasons for urgency and soundness in teaching: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim 4:3-4 NAS). Sound doctrine must be taught in order to have a saving relationship with Christ, for this is through the obedience of faith in correct doctrine. When we are tired of doctrine we are actually tired of Christ, for our response to the word of Christ is our actual response to Jesus Himself (Jno. 14:15).
The simple teaching and preaching of the truth is not always popular. There is a dangerous trend now among those with itching ears and hard hearts for novelty and smooth fables in teaching which allows sin to go unrebuked and unchecked, but which does not bring peace to aching hearts or troubled consciences. Pleasure-seeking slaves to fun and frolic, who are intoxicated by their pleasures and blind to reality, will not tolerate teachers who are still in tune with the truth of Jesus Christ which condemns their lusts.
Every person must demand a “thus saith the Lord,” that is a book, chapter and verse for everything preached. If one preaches anything not biblical, then one is preaching error. Jesus said, “The truth will make one free” (Jno. 8:32), and that means that error will damn one’s soul (2 Thess. 2:9-11). The preaching of the Bible is absolutely essential in the worship of the church because this is God speaking to man. The Monte Vista church preaches only the Bible in all of its glory. Visit our services and study the Bible with us.