2 Timothy 4:1-2 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; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
The veteran preacher Paul is giving instruction to his 'young preacher-boy' as to how and what he should preach. Much is made of the latter part of verse 2, (reprove & rebuke) but most gloss over the statement "Preach the word". Why is that? Maybe many think that the statement is so self explanatory and simple that it needs not to be discussed. Although I must say that the modern fundamentalist preacher likes to apply the 'preach' part of this verse by going to Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. The reason for this is so that those who are "apt to teach" (NT pastoral requirement) are put down by those who want to make a show in the flesh and call it preeeechin'. By the way the overlooked thing of Isaiah 58 is that this chapter is to reprove the Jews for a vain dependence on the performance of the outward forms of worship or in the IFBx world outward forms of service. The irony of misapplying a biblical hermeneutic to this verse would be humorous if not for the sad outcome and improper application among fundamentalist preachers.
But I believe that many overlook the simplicity of Preach the word simply because they would rather give their opinions and preferences to their congregations. Why preach, teach and apply the Bible when you can be the convicting power in people’s lives by your opinion and preference thereby lording over and controlling people’s lives? The reality is that many of these IFBx preeeechers are caught up in a man made system and enjoy being put on a pedestal and worshipped by their ‘loyal’ followers. They would rather yell and scream and sensationalize the preaching of the Bible instead of letting the Word of God do the reproving and rebuking. Why? Because it is easier and a whole lot more enjoyable to yell and scream your opinions and preferences from the pulpit then to delve into quality Biblical teaching aimed at the heart.
However I think it’s time preachers got back to the straightforwardness and Preach the word and let God’s word work in hearts of His believers.
The veteran preacher Paul is giving instruction to his 'young preacher-boy' as to how and what he should preach. Much is made of the latter part of verse 2, (reprove & rebuke) but most gloss over the statement "Preach the word". Why is that? Maybe many think that the statement is so self explanatory and simple that it needs not to be discussed. Although I must say that the modern fundamentalist preacher likes to apply the 'preach' part of this verse by going to Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. The reason for this is so that those who are "apt to teach" (NT pastoral requirement) are put down by those who want to make a show in the flesh and call it preeeechin'. By the way the overlooked thing of Isaiah 58 is that this chapter is to reprove the Jews for a vain dependence on the performance of the outward forms of worship or in the IFBx world outward forms of service. The irony of misapplying a biblical hermeneutic to this verse would be humorous if not for the sad outcome and improper application among fundamentalist preachers.
But I believe that many overlook the simplicity of Preach the word simply because they would rather give their opinions and preferences to their congregations. Why preach, teach and apply the Bible when you can be the convicting power in people’s lives by your opinion and preference thereby lording over and controlling people’s lives? The reality is that many of these IFBx preeeechers are caught up in a man made system and enjoy being put on a pedestal and worshipped by their ‘loyal’ followers. They would rather yell and scream and sensationalize the preaching of the Bible instead of letting the Word of God do the reproving and rebuking. Why? Because it is easier and a whole lot more enjoyable to yell and scream your opinions and preferences from the pulpit then to delve into quality Biblical teaching aimed at the heart.
However I think it’s time preachers got back to the straightforwardness and Preach the word and let God’s word work in hearts of His believers.
GREAT! Using the text a week from Wed. emphasizing "Preach the WORD." The answer for stronger Christians is not stronger standards, but stronger faith which comes from the all too often neglected WORD!
ReplyDeleteGood artlicle for a white boy.