Things I Like, Part 3
Preaching
I love preaching. Yes, I know that I am a preacher, so you would expect that. But not all preachers necessarily love to preach. In fact, for some, it is something they dread (and it’s probably the same for those who have to listen to them).
But I love to preach, or tell others what the Bible says. To those of us called to this, He says:
“Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:2-3 NLT)
The King James Version translates that last sentence as “They will have ‘Itching ears,” or literally, “an itch for novelty.”
That is such an accurate description of the times in which we are living today. People are always looking for something “new” and novel or something that will make them feel better about themselves.
But here is something to consider — If it’s new, it’s not true, and if it’s true, it’s not new!
We really don’t need something “new.” We need to get back to the Word of God.
Preach the Word Conference at Harvest
This is why we are doing the a special conference on preaching here at Harvest Christian Fellowship in November. It will be a call to return to Bible exposition, featuring some of the nation’s best Bible teachers.
Chuck Smith, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, Alistair Begg, James Mcdonald, Jack Graham, James Meritt, and Bob Coy will all be speaking.
You will not want to miss this, if you are called to communicate God’s Word. You don’t have to be a “preacher,” per se, but someone who feels called to bring God’s Word to others.
You may be a pastor, Sunday School teacher, or lead a home Bible study. You qualify!
Thoughts on Preaching
I want to talk a bit about preaching for a few blog entries, but let me just say a couple of things today.
A preacher is to preach the Bible with conviction.
It’s been said, “If there is a mist in the pulpit, there will be a fog in the pew.” Some preachers think their job is to share their doubts, instead of their faith. You do not find this in the Bible.
We are to teach the Word as absolute truth without apology.
What is preaching?
Martin Lloyd Jones said it is “logic on fire!” In other words, preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire!
Yet, there are some preachers who are so BORING! They can take dynamic passages and somehow drain them of life.
Some preachers are all content but no passion. Other preachers are all passion,but no content.
We need BOTH!
C.H. Spurgeon wrote, “There must be light as well as fire.” Some preachers are all light and no fire, while others are all fire but no light.
What we need is both fire and light! What do you think?
