Dave Chanski
Many people in our day view the authoritative preaching of the Word of God in the same way they view the telegraph. Both, they feel are outmoded and obsolete. “Why tap out our message in archaic Morse code when we have the advanced inventions of the fax machine, cellular phones, and e-mail?” Likewise, “Why grind out the gospel through the tedious instrument of preaching when we have available the sleek methods of dramatic and musical productions, multimedia slide presentations, and town meeting-like group discussions?” Unfortunately, many Christians and churches treat authoritative preaching as an embarrassing relic from a bygone era.
God thinks otherwise. After His baptism, “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). “He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14). The Spirit’s coming at Pentecost issued in in Peter’s preaching a mighty sermon (Acts 2:14ff.). Paul and Barnabas evangelized sinners and edified saints by preaching to them (Acts 13:5; 14:7,21,etc). With the final dying strokes of Paul’s pen, he wrote to young Timothy, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).
The authoritative preaching of the Word is the “Cannon of the Kingdom.” It is God’s primary appointed weapon in spreading the gospel and strengthening His people. By the Spirit, preaching tears down strongholds of the enemy by directly confronting the consciences of men with the truth of God. In the faithfully preached exposition of the Scriptures, we can hear the voice of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). We ought to settle for nothing less than that blessed sound.