Because man's wisdom is not God's, the “foolishness of preaching” is God's method for communicating His truth that alone can save (1 Cor. 1:21). The pulpit should be held in high esteem by both preacher and parishioner alike. We should solemnly examine ourselves to see if we are among those of whom it was prophesied by Paul that in the last days that would “grow dull of hearing” and have “itching ears,” turning unto fiction rather than to the preached Word.
In view of the primacy given by God to preaching and the glorious calling of being a preacher, it behooves us to give attention both to the matter and manner of preaching enjoined by the Bible. It is not enough to preach a crucified Christ – He must be preached in a crucified manner (Matthew Henry). The God-called preacher must seek to follow both the sense and the spirit of the inspired Scripture (Spurgeon). The man who speaks for God must not only convey God's revelation, but he must speak “as the oracles of God,” i.e., in a Spirit-anointed manner.
Could it be that you have grown “dull of hearing” the preached Word? Have you despised as “dogmatic” that which bears the stamp of divine authority? Or do you consistently cultivate a spirit of meekness to receive the implanted Word (James 1:21)? Do you submit to those who “watch for your souls” and who will one day give account to God for the way they deal with you (Heb. 13:17)? Pray for your pastor to preach God's immutable Word week after week in its fullness with clarity, authority, and compassion. Your prayers can avail to unleash the mighty power of God's Word proclaimed in faithfulness (Col. 4:3; 2 Cor. 1:11).
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Bob Vradenburgh is the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has spent 40 years in full-time Christian service: the first 20 years as a missionary and the past 20 years in the pastorate. Bob’s passion is the expository preaching of God’s Word,...