What kind of preaching is needed today?
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
In this study I am interested in what the Bible says, not human opinion! In our “politically correct”
thinking, nothing should ever be said to offend anyone for any reason. Can one adopt this view of
“political correctness” in regard to preaching and please God? Absolutely not! As we look at the
prophets and preachers of the Old Testament, as well as the preachers of the New Testament, we find the kind of preaching that man needs and that God demands.
Isaiah, the prophet, clearly preached the word of God. “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward” (Isaiah 1:2-4).
Jeremiah condemned the Israelites because of their sinful ways. “To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it” (Jeremiah 6:10). In verses 14-15 the prophet continued, “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush:. . .”
Ezekiel did not try to make excuse for anyone’s sin. He said, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). These are just a few examples which show that the prophets and preachers of old, told the people what they needed to hear, rather than what they wanted to hear.
King Saul did not like the prophet Micaiah because “. . .he doth not prophesy good concerning me” (I Kings 22:8).
In the New Testament we find John the baptizer preaching, “O generation of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7). In verse 8 he continued, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.”
As a preacher of God, John was not afraid to speak the truth even if it was not pleasant. Even though it often made people angry, as it did King Herod (Mark 6:17-28), John did not hesitate to teach the truth. He told King Herod, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife” (6:18). He boldly preached about sin, righteousness, repentance, and the judgment to come. His preaching was to the point, and it was powerful!
In Acts 7:51-52 Stephen courageously preached, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murders.”
Stephen, like John before him, was killed for preaching the truth. Look at the preaching of Jesus in Matthew 23 (read the chapter).
Today, the truth must be preached without fear or compromise. We should expect it and demand
- Dear reader, preachers are not in a popularity contest. Like Paul, they should be able to say, “For I
have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
The truth must always be preached and error exposed. The word of God should be used to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable! Faithful, Bible preaching should cause all of us to search our hearts and consciences. Good hearts will repent; evil ones will harden. In Galatians 4:16, Paul asked, “Am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Do you love faithful preaching from the word of God?
You are invited to the Rockford Church of Christ each Sunday morning to hear the word of God
proclaimed. Bible classes are at 9 a.m. and worship is at 10. We are close to Dollar General. Send
your comments or Bible questions to: dabass1962@bellsouth.net or to 8997 U.S. Hwy. 231, Rockford, AL 35136.
