Historical Posts

Preaching has a Purpose

The goals of preaching must be to glorify God, exalt Christ, teach salvation to the lost and strengthen the church. Anything less is unacceptable.

Preaching must meet with the approval of the Almighty and accomplish His purpose.

The clarion call of the apostle Paul was: “PREACH THE WORD” (2 Timothy 4:2). But what exactly does preaching entail? And, what is the role of the preacher?

Preaching is not entertainment and preachers are not entertainers! Standup comics have their place, but not in the pulpit. The personal satisfaction and joy we derive from the sermon has more to do with our attitude toward the truth than anything else. If we “hunger and thirst after righteousness” the bread of life will satisfy our spiritual needs! We will not need to be entertained.

Preachers are not psychologists charged with building self-esteem and making people feel good (though preaching may have that effect on some). Our text calls for reproving, rebuking and exhorting! Someone has observed that preaching should be comforting to the afflicted and afflicting to the comfortable!

Preachers are not political revolutionaries out to change the world through social and political dissent. The gospel does bring about social and political change, but that is a secondary effect as people are individually transformed by God’s Word, not the primary purpose of preaching!

Preachers are not corporate CEO’s running roughshod over the congregation and using the bully pulpit to whip the board (elders) and shareholders (members) into subjection.

Preaching is important! “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). If preaching is important, then it is important to understand the purpose of preaching.

Preaching should accomplish four specific goals:

First, God should be glorified. Preaching should acknowledge Him as the one true and eternal God, Father of all in whom we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:22-31).
Second, Christ should be exalted. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Third, the lost should be taught what they must do to be saved (Mark 16:15-16).
Finally, the church should be strengthened (Ephesians 4:15-16).

Preaching that satisfies these goals will be preaching which meets with the approval of the Almighty. Anything less than this will be unacceptable to Him, and should be unacceptable to those who seek to follow His Son! Has acceptable preaching of God’s Word brought you to Jesus and His salvation?