A Bible
question deserves a Bible answer! Paul
clearly and emphatically states:
“For if I preach the gospel, there is nothing for
me to boast about, for necessity is pressed upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not
preach the gospel!” – I Corinthians 9.16 (EMTV)
It is very and abundantly
clear that Paul was under a tremendous focus to preach the gospel, the
proclamation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is preached for the express purpose of
saving those “who call upon the Name of the Lord for salvation” by repentance
and baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. (Acts 2, Acts 9, Acts 22 et. al.)
Today marks what would have been the 117th
birthday of my grandfather, Clyde Larimore Taylor. He was born on June 6, 1896 in Beech Grove,
KY. Brother Taylor was a Christian, a
missionary and a gospel preacher. He was
and IS my mentor. Being able to see him
again in Heaven continually motivates me to always “preach the gospel both in and
out of season.” He once said to me; “Russell, if I can take my lesson down the
street to the denominational church and get “amen’s,” its NOT gospel!” It is fitting, therefore, to explore the
question; “Just what is biblical preaching?” on this, his 117th birthday.
ANY sermon that proclaims
this gospel is by default…biblical!
Sadly, ALL denominational preaching is non-biblical for it is accursed
as Paul asserts in Galatians 1.6 – 9. Preaching
within the Fellowship of the Saints, as well, often falls short of the high
standard of biblical preaching. Let’s
examine some examples of this kind of preaching:
Biblical preaching is not
a topic in search of a text. Biblical
preaching is not shallow. Biblical
preaching is not “story telling.” Biblical
preaching is not a text in search of a meaning.
Biblical preaching is not just social commentary. Biblical preaching is not just a review of
current events. Biblical preaching is
not pop psychology. Biblical preaching
is not selective. Biblical preaching is
not random. Biblical preaching is not just
reflective. Biblical preaching is not
simply engaging. Biblical preaching is
not entertaining. Biblical preaching is
not relevant for relevance’s sake.
Biblical preaching is never pragmatic.
Biblical preaching is not a mantra or a narrative. Biblical preaching is not without an
application. Biblical preaching is not
without a call to action. Biblical
preaching does not play on one’s emotions for emotions sake. Biblical preaching is not man generated or
man focused. Biblical preaching is not
allegorical. Biblical preaching is not
without a clear text within context.
Biblical preaching is not without a contextual theme. Biblical preaching is not without a contextual
thesis. Biblical preaching is not without
a conclusion.
Even among the most
faithful of congregations in the Lord’s church, one often finds sermons that
are random, shallow, without theme, without thesis, lacking direction, void of purpose,
out of context. Essentially lukewarm
spiritual rice water is often fed to the flock while steaming hot “meat and
potatoes” remain left behind in the kitchen.
What characteristics,
then, would we ascribe to biblical preaching?
· (Biblical preaching)
express(es) exactly the will of the glorious Sovereign – allow(ing) God to
speak, not man.
· (Biblical preaching)
brings the preacher into direct and continual contact with the mind of the Holy
Spirit who authored Scripture (through the Scripture.)
· (Biblical preaching)
frees the preacher to proclaim all the revelation of God, producing a ministry
of wholeness and integrity.
· (Biblical preaching)
promotes biblical literacy, yielding rich knowledge of redemptive truth.
· (Biblical preaching)
carries ultimate divine (and apostolic) authority…
· (Biblical preaching) transforms
the preacher, leading to transformed congregations.[1]
When the gospel is
proclaimed BIBLICALLY, individuals are saved, families are reunited,
congregations are revived, communities are transformed and nations are
restored!
-
Russ McCullough – 6 June 2013
Happy
Birthday bro. Clyde Taylor!
[1]
John MacArthur (Rediscovering Expository Preaching, W Publishing Group, a
Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN), Introduction, pg. XV
