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Kind of Preaching Jesus Desires, The Introduction: Before His ascension, Jesus gave the "Great Commission" Mark 16.15; Matthew 28.18-20; Luke 24.46-47. The Apostles fulfilled their commission in the Book of Acts. If we had to summarize their preaching we might say it was, a) effective, b) distinctive/different, and c) in accordance with God's will. Preaching of the Gospel did not end in the first or 2nd century. Paul told Timothy to teach men who will in turn teach others the Gospel, 1 Timothy 2.2. There is just as big a need for strong preaching today as there was in the first century, Titus 2.1. I) The Kind of Preaching Jesus Does Not Desire A) Preaching to praise men 1. This kind of preaching does not tell men what they need to hear but what they want to hear, 1 Thess. 2.4; Galatians 1.10 a. There are lesson we all need to hear because they are corrective in nature. b. When I go to the doctor I want to hear "Everything is ok" but I need to hear the truth. The truth might be "you need to lose weight" or "we need to run some test." 2. Seeks the praise of men and not the praise of God, John 12.42-43. a. In fact, we will not hear the "praise of God" here but we will hear the criticism of men here. b. Tendency to want to please men and stay away from hard topics. B) Preaching of a compromised gospel 1. A gospel that compromises with the world. a. I often think of what we call "social sins" b. I have on occasion had someone come to talk with me on the subject of marriage and divorce. They let it be known that they would come if we would accept them in their marriage. The same for a drunkard, liar, gambler, etc. 2. Compromise with the churches (religions) of men a. The ecumenical movement says we should accept everyone as being right. b. How many of us have felt the temptation to accept into our fellowship a person either living in sin or not baptized into the body of Christ? C) Preaching from human wisdom 1. Situation ethics; the ends justifies the means. a. Can we really say anyone is wrong. Doesn't the Bible say to not judge in Matthew 7.1ff. b. Therefore some Christians believe we can never tell anyone they are wrong. c. The Bible does not give us authority but it is for a good cause. 2. Sophistry to eliminate or redefine sin, 1 Corinthians 2.1-4 D) Preaching only positive or negative lessons 1. Some preachers consider it their duty to blister the brethren in every lesson. 2. Some preachers think it is their duty to make everyone feel real good in every lesson. 3. This will not produce growth. 4. All pruning and not vine is left; or all fertilizer and the vine burns up. 5. There needs to be a balance between the two, Matthew 6.1-18 a. Don't give alms -- do give alms b. Don't pray -- do pray c. Don't fast -- do fast II) The Kind of Preaching Jesus Does Desire A) "Preach the word" 2 Timothy 4.2; which is the Gospel (Acts 14.7). 1. In order to save souls, the word must be preached, Romans 1.16 a. It is up to the individual to determine how best to do so. b. Some will depend on their level of knowledge and personality. 2. In order to build up those who are saved, the word must be preached, Acts 20.32. a. The Gospel not only tell us how to be saved it tells us how to remain saved. b. The Gospel tells us how to live daily. B) Preaching that is pointed and direct, Acts 2.36-38 1. Not dulled and lulled to sleep. a. What I call elevator preaching. Doesn't really say anything. b. Goes back to an earlier point, preaching needs to address the need. Be relevant to what is going on. 2. "Afflict the comforted" and comfort the afflicted. a. There are times we need to call sin what it is. b. There are times we need to talk about God's love for us. c. There are times we need to talk about our work d. There are times we need to talk about the work of the church. C) Preaching that fits the audience, Ephesians 2.13-17 1. Certain lessons everyone needs to hear, Galatians 3.28 2. Other lessons may be to a specific group, teenagers, young couples, older Christians. 3. The needs of the audience must be considered. D) Preaching that listeners can put into practice 1. Requiring obedience to God, Acts 2.40-41 a. A lost person needs to know what they must do to be saved. b. This is what you need to do. 2. Teaching us how to grow as Christians, Acts 20.20 E) Preaching that is doctrinal 1. Jesus instructed that doctrinal matters be preached, Luke 24.47 a. Repentance (Luke 13.3); remission of sins, baptism, etc. b. The nature of the kingdom, the name of Christ (authority) and how to develop it. 2. The more of the Bible we know the more sense it makes to us and the more we can teach others. Conclusion: Some will not want to hear Gospel preaching (2 Timothy 4.3-4). Others will see it as that which is "able to save the soul" (James 1.21). Everyone in this assembly is one or the other. Which are you? (Adapted from an outline by Terry Sanders).
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