Return to Trends Study
TRENDS
Presented: September 20, Bible Study –
Santa Barbara
Throughout this week
we are going to see the fruits of soft preaching and compromise of God’s
word. So as we begin, this
hour I want to look at what the Bible says true preaching is actually
about. Let us notice some
elements of TRUE gospel preaching.
IT is:
I.
Is from the word of God
–
a.
Why is there so much
division in the religious world today?
The answer lies in the philosophies of men.
Men are more interested in hearing what they want rather than
what they need. They want to
hear something new or something exciting and stimulating.
b.
1 Cor. 2:1-5 – Paul’s speech not
with persuasive words – he determined to only preach Christ and Him
crucified. That your faith should not be in the wisdom of man.
c.
Romans 1:16-17 – the gospel of
Christ is the power of God unto salvation.
d.
1 Thess. 2:13 – it was welcomed
as the word of God.
e.
Brethren, the Bible
is not something that we play with. When we treat her with the
reverence she deserves we will NOT add to her or take away from her. We
will respect all of it.
II.
Is
balanced – presenting both positive and negative topics.
a.
True preaching must
consist of the WHOLE counsel of God (Acts
20:27)
b.
2 Tim. 4:1-2 – we reprove,
rebuke and exhort
c.
1 Tim. 3:16, 17 – it is profitable
for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
d.
Col. 1:28, “Him we preach,
warning every man and
teaching every man in all
wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
e.
Titus 2:15, “Speak these
things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise
you.”
f.
In a lesson later
this week we will notice the problems with positive preaching movement.
We have spent considerable time identifying the problems with All
Positive Preaching, but let it be understood that All Negative Preaching
is just as wrong.
III.
Is what is needed –
a.
Paul told Timothy to
preach the word in season and out of season –
2 Tim. 4:1-2.
b.
Nathan told David,
“You are the man!”
2 Sam. 12:7. It is what was needed at the time.
c.
Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old
paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest
for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
Jeremiah preached what they needed.
Jeremiah 11:21 speaks of
some who threatened Jeremiah to quit preaching to them. They said,
“Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord, lest you die by our hand.”
Isaiah was called upon to preach to Israel and write down his warnings
so that when calamity came their way it would be documented.
In
Isaiah 30:9-11 we read
that he was to write, “That this
is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the
law of the Lord; Who say to seers ‘Do not see’ and to the prophets, “Do
not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophecy
deceits. Get out of the way,
Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from
before us.”
d.
In my life of
studies and preaching, in congregations where I have seen certain
subjects avoided I have found that such is usually what is needed to be
preached about the most!
For example: A congregation that refuses to take a stand on M-D-R
probably has some within its number who are in questionable marriages.
A congregation that will not preach on modesty, dancing, social
drinking, etc probably has teenagers who are popular at school who are
involved in some or all of those activities. And the parents WILL
take the side of their children over what the Bible has to say. So
they avoid it.
IV.
Is timely
a.
Like so many things
in life, true gospel preaching is about timing.
It is about what is needed RIGHT now.
One of the biggest challenges to my job as a preacher is
determining WHAT to preach and when.
That is because I know what I preach needs to be timely (you
might use the word relevant – but this week we shall see that that word
is abused).
b.
There are times when
the negative needs to be emphasized and times when the positive needs to
be emphasized. When needed it exposes sin and error. (BTW,
when is that not needed?)
AND there are times when people are hurting and need to be encouraged
and built up.
c.
NOTE: Some subjects
are always timely (unless they are overdone). We need constant
reminders of how to live and how not to live.
We need continual lessons on authority and godliness.
We need to be reminded continually that God’s standard is not
dependent on the latest trend or what is popular.
V.
Is specific –
a.
We need to do more
than deal in generalities.
At times we need to identify why a specific activity is wrong. We
need to show in scripture – not just by command, but also by example and
inference (e.g. principles) what one should not be engaged in
certain activities. WE also need to apply this in rebuke when we
are not doing what we ought to do (cf. Jas. 4:17).
b.
1 Corinthians 14:8
we read, “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare
for battle?” The point of the text is clarity in our worship.
Paul is speaking of how we are to edify one another as we assemble to
worship God. This would INCLUDE the preaching. Paul is
noting that what is said needs to be understood. Far too many
today, especially in the positive preaching movement, preach in
generalities that skirt the main problem.
c.
At times, we even need to name
names! In
Acts 2:22, 23 – “YOU have
taken by lawless hands and crucified”.
Galatians 2:11-14 Peter
was rebuked by Paul in front of others for being a hypocrite.
Timothy was told, “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all”
1 Tim. 5:20
1 Tim. 1:20, Paul warned
Timothy by name about Hymenaeus and Alexander and their danger.
Acts 7:51-53 - Steven was
stoned to death for being specific and preaching TO his audience.
Jesus, at times, got VERY specific in condemning the corrupt religious
leaders of the Jews
d.
Paul said, “Have I
therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?”
Gal. 4:16
VI.
Is preached with godly motives –
a.
It is
imperative that any one who preaches the gospel or teaches others have a
proper attitude.
b.
We need to teach and preach with love
– that means that we care!
1 Cor. 13:4-7
describes our demeanor in love.
1 Timothy 1:5 says, “Now
the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good
conscience, and from a sincere faith.”
1 Timothy 4:12, Timothy
was to be an example in love, etc.
c.
We need to be sincere –
1 Tim. 1:5 again speaks of
the purpose being from a sincere faith…
2 Timothy 1:5 speaks of
the genuine faith that Timothy had.
d.
We need to humble –
James 3:1, teachers will
receive a stricter judgment;
1 Cor. 2:1-3 – Paul did
not come with excellence of speech
2 Timothy 2:25 – the
servant of the Lord must in humility correct those who are in error.
e.
1 Timothy 6:11 notes a number of attitudes needed in
preaching, ”But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”
f.
I
ask, Why do we think that only “positive” preachers have a patent on
such attitudes? The answer is they don’t!
One thing a gospel preacher must never forget is that his motives are
just as important as his message. When one realizes this, his
presentation –whether it be reproof, rebuke or exhortation will be
tempered with humility, sincerity and love.
VII.
Will offend some people.
a.
Let us never forget
this fact! Not all are going to receive the truth. Even
Jesus, with His miracles and purity was rejected by the majority.
b.
To many the truth
WILL BE a stumbling block and to others it will be foolishness. (1 Cor. 1:23). That
is just a fact.
Jesus said, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matt.
11:6)
Matthew 15:12-14 the
disciples of Jesus tell Him that the Pharisees were offended at His
teachings. Jesus noted that such were not of the plant the Father
had planted.
1 Peter 2:8 speaks of
those who are disobedient. To them the teachings of Christ are “a
stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”
These are a few of the elements associated with TRUE Gospel preaching. As we can see, it is not all pleasant, but it is what is needed. May our studies together this week be what is needed. Think about it.