Why We Need Preaching

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-2-2025

1 Corinthians 1:17-31

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Biblical, doctrinal preaching is not something that I choose. It is something that God commands.  In light of the apostasy affecting the church at Ephesus, Paul, when writing to Timothy, said, “Preach the word!”  Not teaching the Word.  Now for my usual disclaimer: I preach both because it is commanded and because I know it is the right and doctrinal.  The only way to preach. I enjoy my time in the pulpit! 

 

1.  As we look at this baby church full of spiritual babies, we find that preaching was not something that they had ever heard or become accustomed to. To preach is the announcement of glad tidings.  In verse 18, we see the word “preaching,” which implicates a topic or discourse. 

 

2.  In the Roman-Greco society of their time, where Rome held political power and Greece was the center of intellectual thought, there was a constant search for novelty in discourse. A prime example of this can be seen at Mars Hill, where Paul engaged with the Stoics, Epicureans, Gnostics, and philosophers. He introduced them to the UNKNOWN GOD, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3.  Paul, in the remainder of this epistle, will introduce these new believers to a world they never imagined existed.  The realm of Christianity!

 

B.  Last week, we established the difference between teaching and preaching.

 

1.  Teaching informs the intellect but requires no decision to be made.

 

2.  Preaching demands a decision to be made.

 

3.  This is why teaching is the most popular of the two.  “" Heap to themselves teachers” is the will of the people, not the saint's path.

 

C.  There are three things that I want to mention concerning the preaching of the cross. 

 

1.  The Preaching of the Cross.

 

a.  The word “preaching” comes from the Greek word “logos” or word.  Thus, the preaching of the cross must be Bible based, not denominationally based.  It matters not what man says unless it matches what God said!

 

b.  Within our context, the Cross is equated with the Gospel in verse 17.

 

1 Corinthians 1:17  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

 

c.  The preaching of the cross alone is of “none effect!”  If Christ died on the cross without the burial and resurrection, it cannot save!  If our Lord is still portrayed as hanging on the cross, the gospel is made of “none effect.”  That's what God says!

 

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  (17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

Romans 10:9-10  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

d.  The preaching of the cross is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.  We often sing the song “Because He Lives.”  Because He lives, I live also!

 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

2.  The Preachers of the Cross. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:17-19  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  (18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (19)  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

 

a.  They are Preachers! 

 

1 Corinthians 1:17  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

 

1)  In verse 17, Paul distinguishes between intellectualism and Spirit-filled preaching in “not with the wisdom of words.” 

 

2)  Intellectualism elevates education beyond the lack thereof.  I have nothing against education, but equating it with either spiritualism or effectiveness in preaching is perilous.

 

3)  This perspective can lead to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which God despises, by placing the clergy above the laity.  The preacher is not above his people; he is one of them.  Peter expressed this in his epistle to the dispersed Jews:

 

1 Peter 5:2-3  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  (3)  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

 

 

4)  I once heard a pastor who exalted his education, which was an earned doctorate, say, “I had rather be a ‘silver trumpet than a tin horn.’”  That was an ignorant statement to make!

 

b. They are Nobodies!  Until Christ becomes all and we become nothing, we are nothing! 

 

1)  Intellectualism exalts the wisdom of men above the wisdom of God, producing teachers rather than preachers, and false teaching is a last-day phenomenon.  Paul stated that he was not sent to preach with eloquence and oratory.  Scholastically, he was certainly qualified to deliver an intellectual dissertation, but chose the simplicity of the old gospel story to fulfill his mission.

 

a)  Intellectualism is the idea that knowledge is primarily derived from pure reason, suggesting that reason is the ultimate principle of reality. In this view, reason precedes faith in the Bible, which is the foundation for pure doctrine.

 

Matthew 23:1-8  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,  (2)  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:  (3)  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.  (4)  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.  (5)  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,  (6)  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,  (7)  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.  (8)  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

 

b)  Doctor, doctor!  I certainly do not oppose having an earned doctorate, as I have one, but the greatest titles you can give me are pastor, preacher, or Brother Dave.  Regardless of social status, God’s men elevate God and the Bible!  You are not here to see me tonight.  You are here to hear the Word of God and, through the Bible’s eyes, see Christ!  Anything other than that is failure.

 

Matthew 23:1-8  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,  (2)  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:  (3)  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.  (4)  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.  (5)  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,  (6)  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,  (7)  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.  (8)  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

 

2)  God chose those who were not wise after the flesh, not mighty, and not noble! 

 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  (27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  (28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

 

1a)  Wise – “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise”

 

1b)  Weak Things – “and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty”

 

1c)  Base Things – “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” 

 

3)  Humble – “That NO flesh should glory in His presence”

 

 

3.  The Product of the Cross. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,

 

a.  The Salvation of the Sinner’s Soul.  “In Christ Jesus!”  Verse 30.  This occurs when the Cross and the Gospel are preached with the power of God’s Word.

 

b.  The Righteousness of the Saint’s Standing.  “who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

 

c.  The Glory of the Saint’s Praise.  “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”  Verse 31.

Why We Need Preaching

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-26-2025

1 Cor 1:17-31

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  By way of introduction, let me say that we live in the days of teaching.  Teaching can and should be a good thing, but there is also the phenomenon of false teaching.  This was prophesied 2,000 years ago and has now come to fruition.

 

2 Peter 2:1-2  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  (2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

 

1.  Paul, through the Holy Spirit, has a work to do in correcting the carnality of these new believers.

 

2.  His first step was establishing their unchanging relationship with the Lord.

 

3.  His second step was to establish unity, as they would not follow Paul if they were following someone else.

 

4.  His third step was to establish the necessity of preaching.  Preaching, not teaching.  The reason:

 

a)  Teaching informs the intellect by giving spiritual facts to the hearer.

 

b)  Preaching demands a decision.

 

1)  Preaching Enlightens The Sinner.

 

2)  Preaching Edifies And Encourages The Saint.

 

3)  The Great Commission specifically says, “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you!”

 

B.  Today, there is a new kind of “Christianity.”  Followers of Christ, His Word, and the pastor are becoming a rarity; those who follow and adhere to God’s Word have become the enemy. 

 

2 Timothy 4:1-4  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

Be mindful of whom you listen to! Correct teaching strengthens the believer and enhances their faith, while false teaching confuses and undermines their faith.

 

C.  In verse 17, Paul distinguishes between intellectualism and Spirit-filled preaching.

 

1.  I have nothing against education, but equating education with spirituality or effectiveness in preaching is risky. Holding a doctorate is similar to a pig's squeal—it neither ensures doctrinal correctness nor makes someone a preacher or pastor!

 

2.  I remember a pastor with an earned doctorate who made the statement, “I would rather be a silver trumpet than a tin horn.” That statement has always rubbed me the wrong way. Intellectualism can lead to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which places the clergy above the laity and prioritizes education over a lack of it.

 

D.  Paul stated that he was not sent to preach with eloquence or oratory. Scholastically, he was qualified to give an intellectual dissertation; however, he chose the simplicity of the old gospel story to accomplish the task.

 

E.  There is also a difference between preaching and teaching.  One of the phenomena of these last days is false teachers. 

 

2 Timothy 4:1-4  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

2 Peter 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

         

F.  The pastor/teacher is one of the gifts that God gave to the local church - Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

 

2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

 

G.  Teaching has become a substitute for preaching because it has no reproof or rebuke.

 

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap (many, not the one God gave them) to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

 

Isaiah 30:8-11   Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:  That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:  Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. 

 

H.  The Two-fold Result Of Substitution Of False Teaching For Biblical Preaching:

 

          1.  An Increase In Carnality In The Church – “smooth things”

 

          2.  A Decrease In Biblical Conversion.  “deceits”

 

J.  What Kind of Preaching do we need?

 

1.  We need Straight Preaching.

 

a.  God’s Message of Salvation - Jonah 3:2,4-9  Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.... (JUDGEMENT).  And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.   (REPENTANCE) So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.  For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.  (SALVATION) Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 

 

b.  God’s Message of Sanctification - Acts 20:26-28  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

 

2.  We Need Bold Preaching - Acts 9:27  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

 

3.  We Need Broad Preaching - Acts 20:26-31  Therefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

 

4.  We Need Spirit-Filled, Powerful Preaching - 1 Corinthians 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 

 

5.  We Need Biblical Preaching - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

 

6.  We Need Compassionate Preaching - Jude 22-23  And of some have compassion, making a difference:  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 

The Pulpit and the Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-15-2023

Nehemiah 8:1-10

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In Nehemiah 8:4, we have not only the first mention principle of the word pulpit; we also have a full mention principle along with an only mention.  God said all that needs to be said on the subject in one short context.  I would behoove us to look at this important piece of furniture that is found in a prominent place in the local church and check out its purpose. 

 

B.  In most churches, the pulpit is the central piece of furniture in the most conspicuous place.  Many new and more modern churches are built around the Family Life Center. 

 

C.  The pulpit was once a place of reverence by the man of God.  It is often called the “sacred desk.”  Men climb into pulpits that have no love for the Word of God or the people of God.  They are hireling prophets who are more interested in their own personal agendas than they are standing true to the Bible.  These are men with no call of God on their lives.

 

D.  The pulpit was once held in respect by the people of God, but times have changed that also.  Now they come and hear with a “take it or leave it” attitude.

 

1.  God’s Man – vs. 2 “Ezra the priest”

 

2.  God’s Method – vs. 2  “brought”

 

3.  God’s Message – vs. 2  “the law”

 

a)  The Value of God’s Word - Psalms 19:10 - More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:

 

b)  The Sweetness of God’s Word - Psalms 19:10 sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

 

c)  The Importance of God’s Word - Job 23:12  I have esteemed the  words of his mouth more than my necessary food. 

 

Let us take a look at the pulpit this morning and give some applications the pulpit and the church in our day.

 

1.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Desire – Verse 1  (The people initiated the Service - “gathered themselves”)

 

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

 

Psalms 119:97  O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  (Three Results of Loving God’s Word.)

 

Psalms 119:113  I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

 

Psalms 119:163  I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

 

Psalms 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 

 

a.  Hate vain thoughts (wicked thinking)

b.  Hate lying

c.  Not easily offended

 

2.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Unity – Verse 1  (The people were in One Accord - “all...as one man”)

 

Ephesians 4:11-15  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;           For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

Acts:, 41-42  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place....Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

  3.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Purpose – Verses 1-2  (The people wanted to hear God’s Word - “bring the book”)

 

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

a.  Purpose of Salvation - Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

 

b.  Purpose of Edification - 1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 

 

c.  Purpose of Exhortation - Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 

 

4.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Attentiveness – Verse 3   (When God’s man speaks, God’s people should heed. “he read therein … they were attentive”)

 

a.  Heeding God’s Word Brings Salvation To Others - 1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 

b.  Heeding God’s Word Brings Cleansing - Psalms 119:9  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  

 

5.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Elevation – Verse 4  (The people elevated it, not the preacher.  Place of Authority. “stood upon a pulpit”)

 

Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

 

1 Timothy 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 

 

6.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Reverence – Verse 5  (Reverence God’s Word. “all the people stood up”) 

 

Psalms 138:2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 

 

Psalms 119:117  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 

 

7.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Blessing and Praise – Verse 6  (Place of Elevation of Christ.)

 

Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

 

John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

 

8.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Agreement – Verse 6  “Amen”

 

Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 

Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

Amos 3:3  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?    

 

9.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Worship and Humility – Verse 6  “Bowed…worshiped”

 

Psalms 150:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 

 

10.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Attendance - 7 “their place”

 

a.  The Importance of the People

 

b.  The Implication of their Place (cannot be filled by another)

 

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

 

1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 

 

11.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Teaching and Understanding – Verse 8 

 

Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

 

Hebrews 5:12, 14  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat...But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

 

12.  The Pulpit Should Be A Place of Joy and Gladness – Verse 10

 

1 John 1:4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

 

3 John 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.