Goal of this lesson: To understand how important preaching is and what is really Important in preaching.
What is Preaching: To publicly proclaim or teach a religious message or belief. Synonym: teach, spread, propagate or expound. The Art of preaching is what is referred to as Homiletics.
The Nobility of Preaching: God does not want you to have only the knowledge of the word but also the ability to communicate his word to others.
- The responsibility of the effect of the word is not placed in you, but the power of the word is in the effective communication of the word.
- We are the instruments (Earthen vessels) the power is in the word. You cannot become a great teacher until you deliver the word with clarity. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV.
I. The Effectiveness of the Word is Power in the Word.
Why does the Word have that power? Because it is actually communicating Christ Himself, the divine Logos.
A. The Power of God is Inherent in the Word:
i. The Word of God creates. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light”Genesis 1:3 NKJV. “For he spoke and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm” Psalm 33:9. NKJV.
ii. The Word of God controls. “He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels; who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow”. (Psalm147: 15-18) NKJV.
iii. The Word of God convicts. “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD. “Is not my word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces” (Jer. 23:28-29).NKJV.
iv. The Word of God performs his purposes. “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it”. (Isaiah 55:10-11) NKJV.
v. The effectiveness of the Word of God is not bound by the actions of men. Paul rejoices in Phil 1:15-19 that whether for “pure motives” or pretense he rejoiced because whenever the Word was spoken the work of God went forward. “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice”. (Philippians 1:15-19) NKJV.
B. The Power of the Word is manifested in the divine Logos, Christ. (John 1:3; Heb. 1:3; James 1: 18; I Pet. 1:23; II Tim. 2:15)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) NKJV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power (Dunamis- dynamite) of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek”. (Romans 1:16) NKJV.
The foolishness of preaching is effective. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (I Corinthians 1:21-NKJV)
C. The Power of the Word is applied in Expository Preaching.
Definition: The meaning of the message is the message of the passage. What the message means is what the sermon is all about. Advantages: Expository preaching confront with the
- truths of the word.
- authority of the word. Expository preaching confronts with the
- Expository confronts with the power of the spirit.
- The Holy Spirit working by and through the word is the only one that changes the heart of men eternally. Convict and convince people.
II. Effectiveness of the Word is promoted by Testimony.
How the word is made effective in the heart of people?
A. Aristotle’s Distinctions:
Every persuasive message is made of three components:
1. Logos – GK. “Word” the verbal content of the word. The first is called logos historically. What does logos mean in Greek? It means “word.” It is the word, it is the verbal content. Logos is the verbal content of the message. It includes not only the words used but also the argument used, its craft, and the logic of the message. What is the verbal message? That is the logos part of the message.
2. Pathos – The Emotive content of the word. The emotion and passion of the word. Pathos is the passion, emotion, or feeling with which something is expressed. To speak of the love of God in a way that does not move you is actually to speak untruth. It is to say, “This is not very important. This is not very significant.” Your manner is now contradicting your message. This is a standard rule of communicators: if your manner contradicts your message, your manner will be believed. Thus the manner needs to go with the message.
3. Ethos – It is the perceived character of the speaker. (The most important factor needed to persuade people is the preacher’s character) Ethos is the perceived character of the speaker. What is the key adjective there? “Perceived.” It is not the actual character of the speaker. You may say, “Well, I know I am not like that!” Well, how are you being perceived? Ethos is the perceived character of the speaker. That is one of the reasons logos and pathos are so important. What is your character perceived to be if you are disorganized? It seems that you do not care. What is perceived about you if you do not speak with passion? It is perceived that you do not care. You may care very much! But by inattention to logos and pathos, ethos is damaged.
Example: “Our gospel came to you not simply with words [logos], but also with power and with deep conviction [pathos]. You know how we lived [ethos] among you for your sake”. (1 Thessalonians 1:5) NKJV.
Recoommended Reading
WOMEN IN MINISTRY: THEN AND NOW
The Place And Power Of The Local Church
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Daniel
10 Guidelines That will Keep You In Minsrtry
B. Scriptural Corroboration:
“For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. (I Thessalonians 2:3- 8) NKJV.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) KJV)
In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. (Titus 2:7-8) NKJV.
“We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fasting; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:3-10-NKJV).
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, (Phil. 1:27-NKJV).
C. Ethos Implications:
i. Guard your hearts. Take time to pray as you study the word so you can take it in properly.
ii. Helps you to teach others as well as know and commune more with God’s truth.
iii. You become well acquainted with the grace your heart desires.
iv. Helps you to believe in the grace that says you can be a great preacher.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Tim. 4:12- 16)