"The Kind of Preaching Needed Today"

Larry R. Ping II

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     Some today suggest since we no longer live in the Bible age, and we no longer converse as those in the Bible did, and people today are much different than those of the Bible, we must not teach and preach as they did. In other words, the teaching and preaching done in the Bible was effective then, but it cannot be so now! This is an attitude which must be removed. To achieve the same results of Bible teaching and preaching, we must engage in the same kind of teaching and preaching today. Be in a place where this kind of preaching is occurring.

  

     1. Preaching Which Is From The Word Of God. The people of Nehemiah’s day said “bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel” (Neh. 8:1). They did not ask for Ezra’s opinions, nor for the prevailing teaching of the day. Cornelius gathered his family and friends and said “we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33). We need buildings full of folks like Cornelius, desiring to hear a “what saith the scripture” (Rom. 4:3). This requires men to “Preach the word” (II Tim. 4:2).

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     2. Preaching Which Is Understandable. Some preaching goes right over the head of the listener, and is of no value. Again, in Neh. 8:8, “they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Paul was concerned some would be “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Cor. 11:3). Souls are far too valuable (Matt. 16:26) to squander away time with preaching which cannot be understood.

  

     3. Preaching Which Exalts Christ. As the Lord’s people scattered, Philip went to Samaria and “preached Christ unto them” (Acts 8:5). As a result, “they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12). Later, Philip “preached...Jesus” to the traveling eunuch (Acts 8:35). This resulted in the eunuch’s confession and baptism (Acts 8:37-39). We need to acquire the same attitude of Paul who humbly said “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (I Cor. 2:2). Jesus said “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (Jn. 12:32).

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     4. Preaching Which Is Bold. Upon his conversion, Paul “preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27). Some topics require boldness on the part of the preacher. Subjects like marriage, divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:3-9), and issues such as Hell, accountability and duty to God and His Word (Eccl. 12:11-12) require courage to teach. Preachers need to be “bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention” (I Thess. 2:2).

  

     5. Preaching Which Makes A Call To Action. Recently, I listened to a sermon which ended this way: “If there is any way we can help you today, please come forward and let us know as we stand and sing.” This stands in stark contrast to the preaching found in God’s Word. Peter commanded “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). The Gospel has not been “fully preached” (Rom. 15:19) until those who are lost in sin are told how to be saved from their sin in obedience (Heb. 5:8-9).