The Foolishness of Preaching

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A. Preaching is to Proclaim Publicly with Authority

1. Proclaim. to speak out with a loud voice...this is not rude or ungodly, for God has a loud voice and his prophets preached their prophecies in a loud voice.

2. Publicly. Preaching is a public exercise, and our ministry is primarily a public ministry, not a closed-in meeting as it usually is today.

Jer. 11.6	Proclaim all these words in the cities and in streets
Jer. 17.19	Stand in the gate, in all the gates of Jerusalem
Mat. 10.27	Preach ye upon the housetops
Acts 10.42	Commanded to preach unto the people
Acts 13.44	Came almost the whole city to hear
Acts 16.13	Went out of the city by a river side
Acts 17.22	In the midst of Mars' hill
Acts 18.28	Convinced the Jews and that publicly
Col. 1.23	Preached to every creature

3. With Authority. Boldness, assurance, warning. We are accused of being dogmatic arrogant, proud, aggressive, accusative, divisive, and lacking in love. But here we can see that preaching is speaking boldly what we know, not for pride, but because we believe what we preach.

b) Authority for being the very words of God

c) Authority by understanding, by being right and upright

B. Preaching is God's method of evangelism.

- God chose a specific method to spread the truth, and if we do not preach it, we do not obey him.

1. He chose preaching as his method

1 Co. 1.21	Pleased God by foolishness of preaching to save
Rom. 10.13-17	How shall they hear without a preacher?
Tit. 1.3	Hath manifested his word through preaching
Heb. 1.1	God spake by the prophets
Rev. 19.10	The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy

2. God commanded men to preach

Mark 16.15	Go and preach the gospel to every creature
Luke 9.60	Go thou and preach the kingdom of God
Luke 24.47	Repentance and remission should be preached
Acts 10.42	He commanded us to preach unto the people
2 Ti. 4.2	Preach the word
Amos 3.8	The LORD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

3. God chooses and calls certain men as preachers

2 Ch. 36.15,16	The LORD sent by his messengers, his prophets
Isa. 6.8-11	Whom shall I send? Go and tell this people
Isa. 61.1	The LORD hath anointed me to preach
Isa. 62.6,7	Have set watchmen which shall never keep silence
Jer. 1.5-10	I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations
Eze. 33.7	I have set thee a watchman
Hag. 1.13	The LORD's messenger in the LORD's message
Amos 2.11	I raised up of your sons for prophets
Amos 7.14,15	I was no prophet, LORD took me, Go, prophesy
Acts 9.15	He is a chosen vessel to bear my name
Acts 13.2	Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
1 Th. 2.4	We were put in trust with the gospel
1 Ti. 2.7	I am ordained a preacher
2 Ti. 1.11	I am appointed a preacher

4. This calling, how it is done, how it is known. Not all are called to preach, but all are responsible to see it is done.

a) God calls sometimes by speaking directly

b) Sometimes through visions or dreams

c) Sometimes through recognizing the need

d) Sometimes through recognizing your gift

e) Sometimes through the understanding and the faith a man has

f) Most often through an inward necessity

C. The Purpose of preaching

1. To teach all the world the truth

Mat. 28.19,20	Teach all nations, all things I have commanded
Acts 5.28	Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine
Tit. 1.3	Manifested his word through preaching
Pro. 1.23	I will make known my words unto you
Ecc. 12.9	Because the preacher was wise, taught the people
Psa. 105.1	Make known his deeds among the people
Acts 4.10	Be it known unto you all
Rom. 16.25,26	Made known to all nations
Eph. 6.19	To make known the mystery of the gospel
Col. 1.28	We preach, teaching every man in all wisdom

2. To give an opportunity to all men to be saved God knows that these men will despise the gospel, but he desires to give the opportunity anyway.

Mark 1.38	That I may preach there also, therefore came forth
Luke 4.43	I must preach to other cities, for therefore am sent
John 5.33,34	I say these things that ye might be saved
Rom. 10.13-16	How shall they hear without a preacher?
1 Co. 9.22	That I might by all means save some
2 Co. 10.16	To preach in the regions beyond you
2 Ti. 4.17	That all the Gentiles might hear

- Notice that God wants to give opportunity even to the rebellious

Luke 20.13	It may be they will reverence him when they see him
Jer. 36.3	It may be that they will hear, they may return
Eze. 12.3	It may be they will consider, though be rebellious
2 Ti. 2.25	If God peradventure will give them repentance

3. To produce faith in the hearers. Preaching has characteristics that make it efective. One of these is that preaching demonstrates the faith of the preacher, both by the foolishness in it, the boldness, and the endurance of persecution. The preacher's faith produces faith in the hearer.

a) Faith comes by hearing the message preached

b) Preachers actually persuade unbelievers

4. To condemn the unbelieving. We know that we are not worthy to condemn anyone but God uses our preaching as a supreme condemnation. And who is sufficient for these things?

a) Our faith condemns the world

b) Christ came as a stumblingstone also

c) Job well done when we are rejected

d) That God may be justified when he judges

D. Results we should expect.

-By these things we may judge our preaching. If we do not receive generally these same results then we are probably not preaching correctly.

1. Opposition, Disputes. We have been told that true servants of the Lord never argue, or strive, and they quote 2 Ti. 2.24. We do not intend to strive, but strife is often inevitable.

2. Uproars, stirring of the people. We have been told that our causing uproars proves we are doing something wrong.

3. Persecution, false witness This should not surprise us, we must be careful not to give opportunities to false accusers.

4. Dishonor, ridicule

5. False brethren, cults. It doesn't much matter which false doctrine they teach, but false brethren are a hindrance to the truth.

6. Burdens, stress, fears, labours, weariness. Watch for laziness.

7. Loss, great disappointments

8. Envy, rivalry, contention, and pride among us. This ought to be avoidable, but it is very common among preachers

9. Success, believers, churches established

10. Followers, preachers, helpers

E. Proper Attitudes of Preachers

1. Meek, not seeking vainglory. Understanding that our meekness is concerning ourselves, not concerning the defense of truth.

2. Sincere, not covetous. A sincere longing to save others.

3. Grave, serious, not lightness

4. Frank, not with wisdom of men, not pleasing men, not proselytizing

5. Aggressive, blunt, rebuking, contentious, fearless

6. Energetic, spirited

F. Subjects of Bible Preaching

1. Jesus. We preach about Jesus, we learn to praise Jesus.

2. Repentance. Repentance is the principal demand of both testaments. Without it faith is vain, we preach to produce it, we do not avoid hard doctrines that actually provide the opportunity of repentance in the hearers.

3. Faith

Mark 1.15	Believe the gospel
John 10.37,38	Believe the works
Acts 16.31	Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
Acts 20.21	Testifying faith toward our Lord
Rom. 10.8	The word of faith which we preach

4. The word, doctrine. We teach the ignorant.

Mat. 10.27	What ye hear, that preach ye
Mat. 28.19	Teach all nations
Acts 5.28	Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine
Mark 2.2	He preached the word
Acts 4.2	Preached the resurrection from the dead
Acts 13.5, 14.25	Preached the word of God
Acts 17.13	The word of God was preached
1 Co. 15.12	If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead
2 Ti. 4.2	Preach the word
Heb. 4.2	The word preached did not profit them

5. The law, sins, righteousness, judgment. It has been said that we should not preach against fleshly sins because that implies salvation by works. Nevertheless this subject is Biblical.

6. The kingdom of God. The spiritual world, the second coming.

7. The gospel, forgiveness, salvation

G. Suggestions for preaching:

1. Remember that truth and accuracy are most important

a) Quote correctly, know where to find the text
b) Avoid unclear arguments, twisting scripture, confess ignorance
c) Do not accuse or allege what you cannot prove

2. Remember that the message is what is important

a) Preach from the Scripture
b) Preach on pertinent, relevant themes
c) Be specific and detailed, not vague and general
d) Repeat a lot, quote a lot
e) Keep it simple
f) Don't get sidetracked into politics, invented sins, and the like

3. Remember that being ridiculed is necessary

a) Do not avoid ridicule, because it awakens curiosity in those that pass by, pricks the conscience of sincere, and illustrates your faith
b) Do not let mockers guide your message...getting back at them only demonstrates your weakness, fear or anger...and it cheats the sincere listener of your message.
c) Do not mock when you are mocked. It is not profitable, and even though it might satisfy the flesh for a moment, that is not your objective.

4. Do not forget that we are in debt to all men

a) Never assume that no one will believe, always expect someone to be curious, never expect to be ignored.
b) Give the listener the benefit of the doubt, do not assume he is against you let him tell you so.
c) Do not feign indifference or apathy when you are rejected
d) Do not try to draw a crowd, address those listening
e) Do not speak harshly or severely when it isn't necessary, never in order to shock, get even, or get attention
f) Do not deceive, let all men know who you are and what you believe
g) Make sure that all the listeners learn something, even those who pause only a moment, and even those who are obviously not in agreement
h) Always provide the solution, leave well understood what God expects the listener to do next
i) Always require a decision, invite to believe, warn the unbelievers, provoke them to choose well

5. Remember that your faith is demonstrated in your preaching

a) Be fervent, not delirious or raving, but also not monotone or tired
b) Never feign passion, meditate your message until it burns in you
c) Do not use cute expressions, or practiced gestures...let your spirit move you naturally
d) Do not entertain...teach, clarify, communicate
e) Speak with grace seasoned with salt, not salt seasoned w/ grace
6. Keep in mind that you are the hope of those who hear you
a) Speak with authority, boldness, without fear
b) Never apologize for your ignorance, or lack of ability...You are not the issue, and you are all they've got.
c) Remember the gravity of your message, do not become a clown, a beggar, a con-artist, nor a "holier than thou."

H. Consider and prepare for the natural characteristics of your listeners

1) They are in a hurry, impatient...be pertinent, relevant (2 Ti. 2.23)
2) They are indifferent, passive...be urgent, insistent (2 Co. 5.11)
3) They are bored, disinterested...be spirited, vehement (Acts 18.28)
4) They are skeptical, suspicious...be accurate, reliable (2 Pe. 1.16)
5) They are arrogant, conceited...be meek, genuine (2 Ti. 2.25)
6) They are distracted, easily confused...be focused, distinct (Acts 6.10)
7) They are forgetful, mistaking...be patient, repetitious (2 Ti. 2.24)

 

I. Conclusions. Principles among the Bible's preachers.

1. Zero Deception

They taught the whole counsel, even controversial doctrines, without softening, adjusting or modifying...They confessed their faults and true beliefs...They recognized and challenged their enemies...They did not calculate the consequences of their obedience.

2. Zero Advantage

They avoided human wisdom and eloquence...They lacked (and didn't miss) education, money, buildings, modern equipment and methods... They did not use entertainment, games, gifts, politics, nor fads...Nor did they use celebrities, popular artists nor heroes... They were decidedly unbusinesslike, disorganized and materially unprepared.

3. Zero Compromise

They did not avoid controversy, conflict, persecution, nor even their own death...They did not long for unity, popularity, nor mutual respect...They accepted no truce with a lie, made no friendship with false brethren, countenanced no yoke with unbelievers...They demanded sincere and public decisions of faith, required true repentance and the fruits thereof, expected real humility, commitment, and total surrender...They made nothing easy.

4. Zero Conditions

They did not count on success, crowds, a good income, or the respect of their peers... They attached no importance to consequences, trials or persecutions...They were unmoved by failures, betrayals, and disappointments...They were neither pessimists nor dreamers... They demanded nothing from God, not health, wealth, miracles, not even freedom.

J. Selected Sermons

-All of the Prophets except Daniel portray Bible preaching.

Take these sermons with care as our examples, and notice:

Unflattering speech: Generation of vipers
Accusations of sin: Hypocrites
Demands of hearers: Fruits meet for repentance
Warnings of judgment: Thou shalt be brought down to hell
God's promises, invitations: Come unto me

-Take care when following Jesus' example, he had a special understanding of men's hearts.

K. Notes

John the Baptist (Mat. 3.7-12, Luke 3.2-18)
-Used strong language...required fruits, ran off hypocrites...belittled traditions, religion, and homeland...exalted Christ...warned of judgment

Jesus (Mat. 11.7-30, Luke 7.24-35)
-Quoted Scripture...accused of unbelief, implied they were fools...warned of judgment... Offered a solution, invited

Jesus (Mat. 23.1-39, Mark 12.38-40)
-Spoke frankly, specifically, accused directly of: vainglory, hypocrisy, error, sin... taught doctrine...warned of judgment...invited

Jesus (Luke 4.18-27)
- Quoted Scripture...Angered his listeners...Accused of unbelief...Warned of damnation

Jesus (Luke 11.29-36)
-Accused of evil...spoke of judgment...warned of danger...gave a solution

Jesus (Luke 11.39-54)
Accused...called fools and ignorant...taught doctrine...did not try to please...belittled tradition...spoke of judgment

Jesus (Luke 12.15-31)
-Dealt with a particular sin...used a parable...called a fool...spoke of judgment...solution

Jesus (John 5.19-47)
-Spoke of judgment...accused of ignorance...required study...based doctrine on scripture

Jesus (John 6.26-66)
-Spoke hard doctrine purposefully...allowed anger...demanded surrender

Jesus (John 7.37,38)
-Offered salvation...used the scripture...invited

Jesus (John 12.44-50)
-Explained true faith...invited...spoke of judgment...exhorted to faith