“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, CSB)
What can change people’s hearts? Is it soaring rhetoric? Is it a dramatic presentation? Is it historical facts? Is it a sympathetic opinion tugging at the heartstrings? While those may seem compelling, they are better at changing opinions and thoughts rather than affecting the core of our beings. God’s Word is the only agent powerful enough to change the human heart.
Preachers, teachers, and church leaders sometimes forget this. Many have fallen into preaching themselves instead of God’s Word. At the request of a friend, I listened to a sermon recently. While the speaker didn’t stray into the unbiblical, his message wasn’t focused on the Word but on his own thoughts, experiences, and opinions. That message didn’t turn to the Bible until halfway through. And then only briefly. His listeners were expected to hang their faith on his words instead of God’s Word. He didn’t say that, but it was the outcome.
God’s Word must be the table of our preaching and teaching in the church. God’s glory must be the centerpiece. God’s truths are the main dish—applying those truths is the silverware. Changed hearts must be the outcome. A heart that has not just changed a little bit but is entirely different. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, CSB) Only God’s Word can do that!
Paul put it this way, “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,” (1 Corinthians 2:1–4, CSB)
Our purpose as preachers and teachers of God’s Word is to bridge the gap between our listener’s understanding and need and the powerful truths of God’s Word on the other. Yes, we use various techniques to build that bridge. We may use humor, stories, personal experiences, physical demonstrations, props (and more) to build the bridge. All to connect God’s Word with the hearts of our audience. The most powerful words a preacher or teacher can utter are “The Bible says…”
The Bible calls all who preach, teach, and lead to – “Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly (accurately – nasb) teaching the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, CSB) We must examine ourselves in this. Are we being diligent in our preparation? Are we correctly and accurately presenting God’s Word? Are we preaching to gain a following? Are we teaching others so that we feel important? Does it matter more that they remember what we say or what God says? Am I responding to these questions with what I think are the correct answers, or what is really in my heart?
Selah – meditate on these things.
- Preach the Enduring Word - November 27, 2024
- Promises: The Enduring Word - November 25, 2024
- Promises: Brings Hope - November 20, 2024