What should I preach from the pulpit part 2

PART II: “What Should I Preach From the Pulpit?”

written by: Aaron J. Dodson

Many pulpits today are filled with story telling, religious experiences, current events, death bed stories and felt needs. Does it matter to God what comes from the pulpit each Sunday? 

Timothy the evangelist was told to continue in the things he had learned from childhood — the “Holy Scriptures” (2 Tim. 3:14-15). What should I preach from the pulpit? Consider these gospel directions straight from the pages of Holy Writ. 

Paul wrote: 

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” 
(2 Timothy 4:1-5).

Preach the Holy Scriptures, be ready in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching       (2 Tim. 4:2). 

Preach the word

“Preach the word” means to herald and proclaim publicly. In old times the herald, acting as imperial messenger, would go through the streets to announce special events, such as the appearing of the emperor. His duty would include publicly announcing laws or government policies and actions. Timothy was to be ready [prepared — cf. Acts 21:11-13], in season and out of season [when it seems suitable and when it does not], reprove [correct misbehavior], rebuke [bring a person under conviction of guilt], and exhort [admonish and encourage]. The evangelist is to do this with all long suffering [patience]. He is not to become angry but be patient and remember that Jesus is patient with him. He is to do this with doctrine [teaching].  Some think we need “relevant” preaching but God says we need doctrinal preaching and teaching! God’s evangelist can teach eternal truths in a timely manner but this is not preaching “felt needs.” Do you love preaching sound doctrine and hearing sound doctrine? 

Preach the Holy Scriptures

1.  because there are those who will not endure sound doctrine but according to their own desires will heap up for themselves teachers and turn from the truth and turn aside to fables (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

The commission of the evangelist is urgent because it challenges those who are either superficial or who have fallen from the love for Christ they once had. They once held onto the truth but became intolerant of the unadulterated word of God. Sound [healthy] doctrine [teaching] is what God commands we teach and uphold but some will leave that and desire teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. Truly our greatest desire should be to hear the whole truth of God’s word, nothing but the truth and to obey that truth (cf. Acts 20:27, 32)! Spiritually healthy teaching is the word of God (cf. Jn. 17:17; Titus 2:1). God wants those who have gone after unhealthy teaching to be corrected and brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 10:3-5). 

Do you preach the truth so that those who have wandered from truth are warned and motivated to love and obey the truth?

PREACH THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

       2. and thus do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 3:5). 

Some think of a preacher as a secretary, an errand boy or a “catch all.” They think that his job is to be in the office, man the building, be a counselor, do the work of an elder or a deacon. An evangelist may indeed counsel with the word of God, but he is not a psychologist. Paul stated that by preaching the Scriptures, being watchful, and enduring afflictions, Timothy would be doing the work of an evangelist and thus fulfill his ministry [service]. There is always study, preparation and teaching to be done both privately and publicly for the evangelist.

 Timothy needed to stay busy as do all those who intend to follow God’s mandate.

1. Do you serve as an evangelist for Christ?
2. Are you fulfilling your ministry?
3. Are you merely “manning the building”?
4. Are you one who supports and encourages an evangelist?If so, keep up the good work! 

Preaching the Gospel is both a wonderful privilege and a sobering responsibility. 

May God bless us as we strive to do His will!