We all know the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, and Luke 24:47). Or, do we? We say we must go and preach the Gospel, preach the remission of sins, etc. However, we will sit and listen to things other than that Old Jerusalem Gospel. We sing songs about telling the Old, Old Story; but we constantly settle for new ones. Who’s way of teaching have brethren surrendered to today? Paul told Timothy: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2). When Paul sent Timothy to preach, he didn’t tell Timothy to figure out a way to get in with the home crowd. He didn’t tell Timothy to smooth over the ladies with a few stories about Lois and Eunice (cf. II Timothy 1:5). Here’s what Timothy was expected to preach: “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church” (I Corinthians 4: 17). Folks, are we reading what the Bible says? Have we figured out a better way to reach the lost rather than the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16)? The word of God is not dead, but alive (Hebrews 4:12). We can make applications to our lives today just as Paul and Timothy could in the first century. The message will never be outdated (Matthew 24:35), boring (Acts 2:37; 7:54), or unable to save (II Thessalonians 2:14) if it is God’s message. It is through the unadulterated preaching of God’s word that He reveals to man the hope of eternity (Titus 1:1-3). What hope have we if we resort to stories about Dave Thomas and some farmer who picked corn over the Gospel? Sure, we can use some moving stories. We can grab the attention of folks who like to “hear something new”. However, the Gospel is still the only message that is capable of moving people from sin into Christ (I Peter 1:22-25). We need the kind of preaching that Jesus, Peter, and Paul used to save souls! A real preacher will take the open book of God’s word and tell those in attendance exactly what it says (Luke 4:17-21). He will not stop even if it means they’d want to kill Him (Luke 4:28-29). A real preacher will call sin by the first, middle, and last name to the face of those who own it and care not that it will offend the hearer (Matthew 15:7-14). A real preacher will care more for truth than friendships (Matthew 16:22-28). A real preacher will not be silenced when attempts are made to keep him from preaching the truth (Acts 4:18-20). A real preacher will stand before an audience and tell them exactly what they must do to be saved (Acts 2:36-41; 3:14-19). A real preacher will preach the unpopular truth to save souls, even if it causes an uproar and division (Acts 13:14-52). A real preacher will hold nothing back, but preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27). A real preacher cares more about using every opportunity he has to teach having left nothing unsaid that needed to be said, than he does his own life or “job” [preaching is no job, but some sure treat the life of preaching as such]. There’s a story about Jesus to be told. It’s commonly called the Bible, but is surely the word (John 1:1). The story began before the foundation of the world (I Peter 1:19-20). When it ends being told may be up to us. We are the earthen vessels that carry the great story with us that will save and damn the souls of mankind (II Corinthians 4:6-7). If we choose to dilute the message with meaningless tales, we do no one any good (II Corinthians 11:3). If we choose to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, we do as commanded (II Timothy 4:2). What story will you hear and tell? |
| Volume VII ~ Issue L ~ September 9th, 2007 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is
more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| When We Miss the Story Because of the Story By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| Do We Understand What Preaching Is? |
| Preach and Teach Like Real Preachers Did |
| Conclusion |
Have you ever sat through a class or a sermon when the preacher or teacher
seemed intent on telling you about themselves rather than our Lord and His word?
By all means everyone understands making applications and even using a story to
illustrate a point of truth. This Jesus did in many of His parables (Matthew 13:3).
However, what happens when the Gospel becomes the illustration and the story
becomes the lesson? The cartoon to the right illustrates exactly what I mean,
though I rarely use cartoons and such, I could not pass this one up.
Paul said: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I
determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much
trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of
man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power: That your
faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I
Corinthians 2:1-5). Wait, didn’t Paul have a good story about a farmer he once
knew who picked corn all day every day until he had a heart attack? Fifteen
minutes later into the story, doesn’t Paul reveal that the corn picking farmer came to
the Lord when he realized there was a greater crop than his own? Wait, didn’t
Peter know the story about how Colonel Sanders (founder of KFC) influenced
Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy’s) to have square hamburgers since you shouldn’
t cut the corners? I heard a sermon in Georgetown, PA once at a meeting where
that was a lesson on faith. Yes sir, I left knowing more about hamburgers and
chicken than faith. I heard preaching, right? WRONG! I heard something that
made me realize that “preacher” didn’t understand what his work is.
seemed intent on telling you about themselves rather than our Lord and His word?
By all means everyone understands making applications and even using a story to
illustrate a point of truth. This Jesus did in many of His parables (Matthew 13:3).
However, what happens when the Gospel becomes the illustration and the story
becomes the lesson? The cartoon to the right illustrates exactly what I mean,
though I rarely use cartoons and such, I could not pass this one up.
Paul said: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I
determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much
trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of
man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power: That your
faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I
Corinthians 2:1-5). Wait, didn’t Paul have a good story about a farmer he once
knew who picked corn all day every day until he had a heart attack? Fifteen
minutes later into the story, doesn’t Paul reveal that the corn picking farmer came to
the Lord when he realized there was a greater crop than his own? Wait, didn’t
Peter know the story about how Colonel Sanders (founder of KFC) influenced
Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy’s) to have square hamburgers since you shouldn’
t cut the corners? I heard a sermon in Georgetown, PA once at a meeting where
that was a lesson on faith. Yes sir, I left knowing more about hamburgers and
chicken than faith. I heard preaching, right? WRONG! I heard something that
made me realize that “preacher” didn’t understand what his work is.