It is a fearful thing to stand before a group of people and convey the notion to them that what is about to proceed from YOUR mouth is what "Thus says the Lord!" 1 Peter 4:11 makes it plain that this is the obligation of the preacher. It reads, "Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God." It is a fearful task upon the shoulders of the preacher to stand between God and man and speak on God's behalf! That is frightening! And that is why nothing but expository preaching or at least solid exegesis of Scripture underneath your sermon will fit the mold.

The task of preaching is also fearful because not only are you to relay accurately the truths of God's revelation (2 Tim 2:15), but you will be held accountable as to whether or not you did so. (James 3:1)

Finally, the task of preaching is a fearful engagement because the preacher is working in the realm of eternity! To communicate the Word is to deal with people's souls! There is no vocation in the universe that bears as much obligation or responsibility. The preacher is either guiding his listeners to truth or error, life or death, heaven or hell. He MUST know that what he says is of the Lord, for he is watching over the souls, the eternal destinies, of his congregants! I was told once that in days gone by, the doctors of theology were called doctors of men's souls while the doctors of medicine were the doctors of men's bodies. This is still the case today even though we have lost the terminology. Preachers are not merely coaches or motivational speakers or auditory entertainers; preachers are caretakers of the souls of men! This knowledge makes my legs weak and my heart tremble every time I enter the pulpit.

When I think that eternity is in the balance for every listener, I realize that the brief time I have their attention is not to be wasted on the meaningless speech of opinion or humor. The unsaved hearer must hear of the light of the glory of God in face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4). The saved hearer must feast upon sound doctrine to nourish their war-torn, hungry spirit. Those gathered for worship are starving and malnourished each and every week, whether they realize it or not. Some are dead. Only the Word will bring them life! Some have slipped into a spiritual coma. Only the Word will revive them! They do not need a jokester to make them laugh while they decay spiritually! They need a preacher that will deliver to them a message of life.

In addition, they do not need my opinion! Scriptural interpretation must be hammered out through the study of the original languages and careful thought to the immediate context. Presuppositions must be submitted to the correction of the Word. If preachers are unwilling to allow Scripture to hold sway over their tradition, they will force an unintended meaning upon the text and thereby lead their followers away from truth!

Political rhetoric, cultural analysis, cultural conformity, self-help motivation, positive thinking, hip jargon, and cool attire may produce a following, but will not produce lasting, persevering, soul-saving fruit! God has reserved that work for His Word alone.