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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Why Preaching Matters

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Today we want to answer this one simple question: Why Preaching?  Many churches today have come to devalue the place of preaching in the life of the church.  God has ordained one main method in the Bible by which God's people are equipped and fed to evangelize unbelievers for the glory and exaltation of Christ – namely preaching.  As we consider today the cause and reason for preaching, I will submit to you four reasons why preaching matters:

1. Character of Scripture (leads to it)   2 Tim 3:16-17
2. Commanded by God   2 Tim 4:1-2
3. Constantly Needed   2 Tim 4:3-4
4. Completes God’s Will  2 Tim 4:5

In today's blog we will consider the first of these.  So why preaching?  First of all, preaching matters because of the….

CHARACTER OF SCRIPTURE (leads to it) 2 Tim 3:16-17
Perhaps the clearest statement pertaining to the inspiration and character of the Bible is 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  God revealed the scriptures, breathed them out and gave them through and to men.  The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message begins with these words about the character of scripture: "The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction." Truly the character of scripture as God’s Word requires it to be unpacked and unfolded to hearers. 

The Bible was inspired by God to be explained and preached
In verse 16 we read that it is profitable for teaching – that is, it tells me what is right.  Secondly, it is for reproof – that is, telling me when I’m not right.  Thirdly, it is for correction – or telling me how to get right.  Then fourthly, it is for training in righteousness – or instructing me on how to stay right. 

The Bible was inspired by God for equipping and practice exhorted by preaching
Now in verse 17 we read that by the scriptures, the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  How is this to be done?  Certainly the scripture itself has this quality of being able to equip.  However the primary means of equipping is none other than the preaching of the Word.  From the moment of saving faith, through the process of the Christian’s life, exposure to the preaching of the Word is a must. 

The Bible's power to convert the human heart is connected to preaching
Romans 10:8 tells us – “what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching.”  Romans 10:14-15 later on reveals – “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 1:21 states: “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.”  

The Bible's quality of changing believers into further Christlikeness is directly connected to preaching 
As preaching is ordained of God in the beginning of salvation, it is fundamental to the Christian’s growth in sanctification. Ephesians 4:11-12 bears this out – “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ”.  The Bible as the Word of God, as God’s revelation, has included with it the need for preaching.   
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For those interested, follow further comments on what defines preaching @ twitter.com/mahlonsmith