Powerless Preaching

Powerless Preaching

People were amazed at Jesus' preaching "for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes"(Matt. 7:28-29). Paul's method of preaching was one "of power and love and discipline"(II Tim. 1:7). While his speech and "preaching were not in persuasive words of (human) wisdom," there was a demonstration of the spirit and of power" (I Cor. 2:3-4). So powerful was the preaching of the apostles that the foundations of Judaism were shaken (Acts 4:16-18). Gentiles protested that they had "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6).

What Was the Source of Their Power?

The power of their preaching did not rest on large numbers, social standing, worldly education, wealth or political clout. In fact they were deficient in all these. In the eyes of their contemporaries "they were unlearned and ignorant men" (Acts 4:13). They were viewed as "a sect" and "everywhere...spoken against" Acts 28:22). The fact is, they were weak in all the areas the worldly mind would see as essential to success. Yet God's power was "made perfect in weakness" (II Cor. 12:9).

The source of their great power was in the gospel they preached. "It is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16). Paul "determined not to know anything (in his preaching). . . save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (I Cor. 2:2). With the gospel, they had the power of truth to oppose error (John 8:32). They had the sharp two-edged sword of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:17). The all-powerful Jesus was with them as they preached his gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). Like a mighty tidal wave, they were invincible. Nothing could stop them.

Powerful Preaching of Our Predecessors

Our forefathers in the move to restore original Christianity, found this power and harnessed it in their preaching. Satan was defeated on every hand. Sinners surrendered to their Lord. False teachers gave way before the assault. Multitudes were saved, churches were planted and, the cause grew and prospered.

A New Approach

In our day a generation has arisen that went tot a different school. They have imbibed a different spirit. A New way has been found to preach to modern sinners. We hear them on the radio, presenting a beautifully worded message with no gospel. They quote no scripture, they make no mention of God's will for man. Christ and his shed blood are omitted as are his church and his plan for salvation.

Their Faulty Assumptions

1) They assume that the old Jerusalem gospel will not attract modern man.

2) They assume that words from the Bible will not be heard, understood or accepted.

3) They assume that sinners would rather hear the speaker's ideas or quotes of some notable theologian or philosopher than God's word.

4) They assume that they can be faithful preachers of God even though they omit most, sometimes all, of God's own message.

5) They assume the converts they make will automatically learn and accept the Lord's true doctrine and church once they are recruited by their non-Biblical approach.

Tragically, these "non-gospel" preachers are wrong on all counts. It is tragic for the lost souls who desperately need to hear the gospel (Mark 16:15-16); tragic for the preachers who have failed to speak his word faithfully (Jeremiah 23:28); tragic for the church that supports such preaching and gets little or nothing in return for it.

Is it too much to expect gospel preachers to preach the gospel? Is it unreasonable that the church of the New Testament present the message of the New Testament to a lost world?

Observant brethren know that over the last 75 years liberal denominational churches have generally deleted God's word from their message. Their faith is dead, their numbers are shrinking. Their missionary forces are drying up, their seminaries are closing. Why should we follow them down the broad road that leads to destruction?

May all who would speak for Christ "preach the word" (II Tim. 4:2). May every elder insist that those who occupy the pulpit of their congregation be "men of the Book" who are not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). That they must be men who preach "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).

When God's word is exalted, Christ is glorified, souls are saved, the church is edified and increased. To leave the Scripture out of the message is to preach a powerless gospel! Satan is not threatened by such a message.

Back -- or go -- Home