The Preacher and His Preaching

“But (God) hath in due times

manifested His Word through preaching…”

(Titus 1:3)

By Evangelist Tom Palmer

“The world is waiting to hear an authentic voice, a voice

from God, not an echo of what others are doing or saying,

but an authentic voice.” –A.W. Tozer

“God’s greatest gift to any generation is not a major

breakthrough in science or technology which makes life

more easy or prosperous; it is a man with the voice of

eternity within, calling his fellow man from paths of

selfishness to find satisfaction in God.” –From Duncan

Campbell’s biography

“Preaching is the proclamation of the Word, the truth as

the truth has been revealed.” –G. Campbell Morgan

Preaching is “My human lips filled with the Word of God.” –D.L. Moody

“Preaching is communicating divine truth through human

personality.” –Phillips Brooks

“Preaching is the powerful, precise, persuasive

proclamation of the Word of God, by the man anointed by

the Spirit of God. Preaching is not a secular discussion of

human ideas, but the Scriptural declaration of God’s

truth.” –Tom Farrell

Effective preaching

is the communication of a message from God.

1

Training Preachers

The books of I and II Timothy are the textbook used by the Apostle

Paul in the training of his “son in the faith” (verse 2 in the first chapter

of both books) named Timothy. As Paul laid out his “preaching

curriculum”, he highlighted his purpose for doing so in four specific

areas which are mentioned in II Timothy.

1. The preacher needs encouragement

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift

of God, which is in thee…” (II Tim. 1:6)

The preacher will find that doubt, disillusionment, and

despair can become genuine realities that must be dealt

with.

2. The preacher needs education

“And the things that thou hast heard of me…the same commit

thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (II

Tim. 2:2)

The preacher must be both a student and teacher as he

learns and teaches.

3. The preacher needs equipment

“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto

all good works.” (II Tim. 3:17)

The preacher must have the right tools and the right

training (how to use the tool) to get the job done.

4. The preacher needs endurance

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of

an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (II Tim. 4:5)

The preacher must overcome hindrances and limitations

that would keep him from finishing well.

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The Priority of Preaching

1. The example of Jesus

“I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, for

therefore am I sent.” (Luke 4:43)

“He went throughout every city and village preaching…”

(Luke 8:1)

2. The example of John the Baptist

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the

wilderness…” (Matt. 3:1)

“John did baptize in the wilderness and preach…”

(Mark 1:4)

3. The example of the Apostles

“He ordained twelve…that He might send them forth to

preach.” (Mark 3:14)

“And they went out, and preached that men should

repent.” (Mark 6:12)

4. The example of the early believers

“Therefore they…went everywhere preaching the Word.”

(Acts 8:4)

“…preaching the Word…preaching the Lord Jesus…”

(Acts 11:19, 20)

5. The example of Paul

“I am ready to preach” (Rom. 1:15)

“…woe is me if I preach not the gospel.” (II Cor. 5:19)

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“Preaching” Defined

*Some form of the word “preach” is found 141 times in the New

Testament. (Tom Farrell)

*A.P. Gibbs gives 4 Greek words used in the New Testament (The

Preacher and His Preaching)

1. “kerusso” – to proclaim as a herald (the public proclamation

of the Gospel

Matt. 11:1

Mark 1:4

Mark 3:14

Mark 16:20

Rom. 10:14

2. “euaggelizo” – to tell good news (this is the word from which

we get terms like evangel, evangelist, or evangelize)

Matt. 11:5

Luke 4:18

Luke 7:22

I Cor. 1:17

Gal. 1:16

Heb. 4:2

3. “katangello” – to tell thoroughly

Acts 4:2

Acts 13:38

Acts 15:36

Col. 1:28

4. “laleo” – to talk, to utter words

Mark 2:2

Acts 11:19

Acts 14:25

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I. Our Text – The Word of God

II Tim. 4:2 – “Preach the Word…”

“reprove” – to convict or convince someone of something

(to prove with overwhelming evidence of truth)

“rebuke” – chide, censure or blame (like a sharp or severe

reprimand)

“exhort” – to urge, to encourage (a plan for change)

*Preaching must be authoritative (“preach the Word”); it must

be persuasive (“reprove…rebuke…exhort”); and it must be

instructive (“longsuffering and doctrine”). (John Van Gelderen)

*A classic example is found in the way that Nathan the prophet

confronted King David regarding his sin (II Sam. 12).

-confrontation (what was wrong)

-conviction (why it was wrong)

-communication (how to make it right)

Heb. 4:12 – “For the Word of God is…”

“quick” – the life-giving nature of the Word of God

“powerful” – the life-changing nature of the Word of God

“sharper” – the life-penetrating nature of the Word of God

*“piercing” – It goes deep – it touches every part of the

life including the mental and emotional (soul), the spiritual

(spirit), and the physical (joints and marrow).

*“dividing” – It shows directly – like a sharp cutting

instrument, the Word of God exposes the real condition of

the heart and life.

*“discerning” – It knows decisively – the Word of God

addresses even the most personal thoughts and feelings

within the life.

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II Tim. 3:16 – “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is

profitable…”

“doctrine” – teaches what is right

“reproof” – teaches what is not right

“correction” – teaches how to make things right

“instruction” – teaches how to keep things right

Ps. 119:130 – “The entrance of Thy Word giveth light…” (the word

“entrance” literally means opening)

“…when I open my Bible to read, light springs up in my

mind. Every sermon, every prayer, every act of faith, is an

opening by which light is let into the seeking soul.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

A preacher is the voice of deity.

The Example of Ezra (Ezra 7:10)

1. Preparation – “For Ezra had prepared his heart…”

2. Passion – “…to seek the law of the Lord…”

3. Practice – “…and to do it…”

4. Preaching – “and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

Neh. 8:1-8 (From Preaching that Pleases God by Tom Farrell)

1. The exaltation of the Word – “…opened the book…” (v. 5-6)

2. The expression of the Word – “…read in the book…” (v. 8)

3. The explanation of the Word – “…gave the sense…” (v. 7,8)

4. The exhortation of the Word – “…caused them to understand”

(v. 7,8)

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Summary

God’s Word must be used abundantly – “Let the Word of

Christ dwell (to inhabit) in you richly (abundantly)…”

(Col. 3:16)

God’s Word must be used accurately – “…rightly dividing

the Word of truth.” (II Tim 2:15)

* “as of sincerity” (II Cor. 2:17)

* “not handling the Word of God deceitfully” (II Cor. 4:2)

God’s Word must be used applicably – “…the Word of God

which effectually worketh…” (I Thess. 2:13)

Preach to make an impact – not an impression!

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II. Our Teacher – The Spirit of God

A. The Holy Spirit must teach – “…the Holy Ghost…He shall

teach you all things...” (John 14:26)

*Example – Peter in the house of Cornelius (Acts 11:15,16)

B. The Holy Spirit must reprove – “…He will reprove the world

of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (John 16:8-11)

1. Sin – the condemnation of wrong choices

2. Righteousness – the compensation of right choices

3. Judgment – the consequences of all choices

C. The Holy Spirit must guide – “…when the Spirit of truth is

come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13)

The Example of Jesus (Luke 4:18)

“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from

Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness…”

(v.1)

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit…” (v. 14)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath

anointed me…” (v. 18)

“to preach the gospel to the poor” (v. 18)

“to preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (v. 19)

A direct quote from Is. 61:1,2

“I must preach…” (v. 43)

“And He preached…” (v. 44)

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III. Our Topic – The Son of God

Acts 5:42 – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they

ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

I Cor. 1:23 – “…we preach Christ…” (v. 21-25)

“Christ…the power of God”

“Christ…the wisdom of God”

II Cor. 4:5 – “…we preach…Christ Jesus the Lord”

*Make much of Jesus!

1. Preach the cross of Christ – I Cor. 1:18

* “I take a text and head for Calvary.” –Spurgeon

* I Cor. 15:1-4

2. Preach the character of Christ – Rom. 8:29

3. Preach the conduct of Christ – Acts 10:38

4. Preach the commission of Christ – Luke 24:47

The Example of Philip (Acts 8)

Acts 6:5 (v. 3) – chosen and commissioned to serve

Acts 21:5 – “the evangelist” (a preacher of the gospel, to

announce good news)

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1. Philip’s preaching in Samaria – “Philip went down to the city of

Samaria” (v. 5)

- “preaching the Word” (v. 4)

- “preached Christ” (v. 5)

- “preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God”

(v. 12)

2. Philip’s preaching to a man – “…began at the same scripture,

and preached unto him Jesus.” (v. 35)

3. Philip’s preaching in all the cities – “he preached in all the

cities” (v. 40)

God took Philip to Samaria to reach a multitude

God took Philip to the desert to reach a continent

Preaching is the powerful, precise, persuasive proclamation of the Word

of God, by the man of God, anointed by the Spirit of God.

-Tom Farrell in Preaching That Pleases God (p. 11)

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IV. Our Testimony – The Power of God

I Cor. 2:1-5 – “…my speech and my preaching was…in

demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

1. Paul did not seek to impress with personality – “excellency

[prominence or superiority of rank or character] of speech or

wisdom” (v.1)

2. Paul did not seek to impress with performance – “I was with

you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” (v. 3)

3. Paul did not seek to impress with persuasion – “not with

enticing [persuasive] words of man’s wisdom” (v. 4)

“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.” (v. 5)

The priority of a God-based faith

The priority of a God-built faith

The priority of a God-blessed faith

I Thess. 1:5 – “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but

also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance…”

Eph. 4:11 – “And He gave…”

Foundation of God’s truth – “apostles and prophets”

(Eph. 2:20)

Formation of God’s truth – “evangelists and

pastors/teachers”

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The Example of Paul

*Paul recognized that the preaching of God’s Word was a life

changing endeavor. He was motivated by a desire to see his

hearers experience a “life-change”.

1. Focused on Education – the ability to learn

“a teacher” (II Tim. 1:11)

“able to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:2)

2. Focused on Edification – the ability to grow

“godly edifying which is in faith” (I Tim. 1:4)

3. Focused on Exhortation – the ability to change

“exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2)

4. Focused on Evangelism – the ability to share

“do the work of an evangelist” (II Tim. 4:5)

Effective Preaching

1. Communicates

2. Confronts

3. Convicts

4. Compels

5. Convinces

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The Character of the Preacher – I Timothy

“You cannot separate the preacher from his preaching.”

“Preaching is not the performance of an hour, it is the outflow of

the life.” –Vance Havner

“Behave thyself” (3:15)

“Exercise thyself” (4:7)

“Give thyself” (4:15)

“Take heed unto thyself” (4:16)

“Save thyself” (4:16)

“Keep thyself” (5:22)

“Withdraw thyself” (6:5)

Your talk talks – and your walk talks,

But your walk talks louder than your talk talks.

I’d Rather See a Sermon

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;

I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing but example’s always clear;

And the best of all preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;

I can watch your hands in action but your tongue to fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,

But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,

But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

-Edgar A. Guest

The best sermons are lived – not preached

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Feed the Flock – The Shepherd

I Pet. 5:2 – “…feed the flock of God which is among you…”

(Acts 20:28)

1. The Responsibility of a the Shepherd

“feed the flock” (v. 2)

2. The Role of the Shepherd

“taking the oversight thereof” (v. 2)

3. The Restrictions of the Shepherd (v. 2-3)

“not by constraint but willingly” (not because he has to,

but because he wants to, not by force but by choice)

“not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (not for what he

can get, but for what he can give)

“neither as being lords…but being ensamples” (not based

on how he lectures, but how he lives)

4. The Reward of the Shepherd

“ye shall receive a crown of glory” (V. 4)

The preacher becomes a divine dietitian

Col. 2:19 – “all the body…having nourishment

ministered…increaseth with the increase of God”

I Tim. 4:6 – “nourished up in the words of faith and of

good doctrine”

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The Preaching Ministry of John the Baptist

“For I say unto you, among those that are born of women

there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…” Luke 7:28

1. The Passion of John the Baptist

Luke 1:17 – “…to make ready a people prepared for the

Lord.” (1:76)

2. The Purity of John the Baptist

Mark 6:20 – “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was

a just man, and an holy, and observed him…”

3. The Power of John the Baptist

Luke 1:15 – “…he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even

from his mother’s womb.”

4. The Plainness of John the Baptist

Matt. 3:4 – “And the same John had his raiment of camel’s

hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat

was locusts and wild honey.”

5. The Pleasure of John the Baptist

John 3:26 -29 – “…all men come to Him (Jesus)…this my joy

therefore is fulfilled.”

6. The Priority of John the Baptist

John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

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7. The Preaching of John the Baptist

Luke 1:76 – “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of

the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to

prepare His ways.

Matt. 3:1,2 – “Repent ye…” (Mark 1:4,5; Luke 3:2,3)

John 1:29 – “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:36)

Luke 3:18 – “And many other things in his exhortation

preached he unto the people.”

8. The Purpose of John the Baptist

Luke 1:16 – “And many of the children of Israel shall he

turn to the Lord their God.” (Luke 1:77)

9. The Persecution of John the Baptist

Matt. 14:3-12 – “For Herod had laid hold on John, and

bound him, and put him in prison…And he sent, and

beheaded John in the prison.”

10. The Position of John the Baptist

Matt. 3:11 – “…he that cometh after me is mightier than I,

whose shoes I am not worthy to bear…”

Mark 1:7 – “There cometh one mightier than I after me,

the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down

and loose.”

John 1:27 – “He it is, who coming after me is preferred

before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to

unloose.”

John 3:31 – “He that cometh from above is above all…”

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