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Philosophy

Dynamics

There are two essential dynamics in preaching. Both must be present for preaching to be powerful and life changing.

 

The Word of God

The Word of God

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful . . .”

Hebrews 4:12

The Spirit of God

The Spirit of God

“. . . and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

I Corinthians 2:4

Therefore, as a preacher, my dependence must clearly be on the Word of God in dependence on the Spirit.

 

 

 

Content

The essence of all preaching is Jesus Christ.

“For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

As an evangelist, the “evangel” or Gospel is the center piece. It is good news that Jesus Christ came to save us by His death and His life.

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10

Gospel to the Sinner

Saved by His Death

 

Men are sinners (Romans 3:23) and deserve judgment in hell (Revelation 21:8), but Jesus came to die in our place (Romans 5:8). When we trust Him to do for us what we could never do for ourselves (wash away our sins, save us from Hell, make us righteous in the sight of God), he does it (Acts 10:43, John 3:16, II Corinthians 5:21). This is a wonderful message to preach to the lost.

 

Gospel to the Saint

Saved by His Life

 

The same Jesus we trusted to deliver us from Hell (sin’s penalty) is the same Jesus we can trust to deliver us from sin’s power. He lives in us (Colossians 1:27-29)! Although we have no spiritual power in and of ourselves, He does have power and He strengthens us (Isaiah 40:29) as we trust Him! Also, we are in Him! That means we have all we need in our union with Him (Romans 6, Colossians 2:9-15). We are in union with His death and resurrection. This means we are “dead indeed unto sin” in Him and “alive unto God” in Him! 

 

Romans 8:32 asks a rhetorical question,

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

The answer is an obvious “yes”!

 

 

 

Method

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

I Timothy 3:16, 17

A few years ago I was talking with a preacher who described the four elements of this verse this way. I am not sure if they were original with him or someone else, but I have never forgotten how he put it.

All Scripture falls into these four categories.

Doctrine

Doctrine


What is Right

Reproof

Reproof


What is Wrong

Correction

Correction


How to Make It Right

Instruction in Righteousness

Instruction in Righteousness


How to Keep It Right

This has been my theology in preaching.

Each category is important and cannot be overlooked.

I feel that if any category was overlooked in my experience, it has been “instruction in righteousness.” I am burdened once God’s people see their sin and Biblically get right, they need instruction on how to keep it right through God’s provision and grace.