2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 4:1 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: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."
Introduction:
The past couple of days have been devoted to understanding why Biblical inerrancy and effective preaching go hand-in-hand. The sermons proclaimed from any pulpit are only effective insofar as they are grounded in and leading out the meaning of those words. The above opening texts are gold standards when it comes to expressing two core truths of the Christian faith: the inspiration of the Bible and the priority of preaching. We have seen thus far that an inerrant Bible must be the basis for effective preaching because the cost of effective preaching is worth it because the Bible is inspired and thus inerrant; as well as recognizing that God revealed His word to be preached. Today I want to draw this short series to a close by asking once more: why is Biblical Inerrancy the basis for effective preaching? As we shall see, an inerrant Bible being preached is what people need to hear.
Consistent Effective Preaching of an Inerrant Bible is what people need to hear.2 Timothy 4:1-5
To insure that this post is not just for preachers by a preacher, we must also realize that preachers are first hearers of the Spirit illuminating the inerrant text to them in the process of preparation. Moreover, the person in the pew or in the classroom or in the public square is considered a hearer and thus stands as the intended recipient of such effective preaching. Hearers are going to have different viewpoints on what the Bible is, however the preacher, if he is to be consistently effective and to stand up under the strain of a long-tenured pulpit ministry, must see the Bible for what it really is.
Think about this: if a man believes that the Bible is not inspired, or even if he believes the Bible to be inspired but not fully inerrant, then how can he be a consistent hearer? Such a man to one degree or another will sit as judge over the Bible, rather than sitting in judgment by the Bible. Dr. Steven Lawson in his book: "Famine in the Land, the Priority of Biblical Preaching", page 26, quotes theologian Michael Horton who states regarding the need for sound, expository, effective preaching and belief in Biblical inerrancy: "The regular proclamation of Christ through the close exposition of Scripture is more relevant in creating a worshipping and servicing community than political causes, moral crusades and entertaining services."
Whether one be a preacher behind a pulpit or a person in the pew, everyone needs to hear God speak through His words. A book that is anything less than inspired, inerrant and infallible is not the kind of book that can demand change nor bring it. Preachers need changed by the Word of God. As Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13-16 "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by thepresbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you."
No wonder Paul warns Timothy of the dangers yet again that he and subsequent generations of Christians will face by opponents of the Bible. (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Such preaching is worth it and the Bible as God's inspired and inerrant book is worth what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:5 - "But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Closing thoughts:
Today we aimed to answer the question: why Biblical inerrancy is the basis for effective preaching? In answering this question from 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5 we noted the following:
1. Cost of effective preaching demands inerrant scripture. 2 Timothy 3:10-14
2. Contents of inerrant scripture were revealed for effective preaching. 2 Timothy 3:15-17
3. Consistent Effective Preaching of an Inerrant Bible is what people need to hear.2 Timothy 4:1-5
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