From the Pen of Paul

What is Gospel Preaching According to the Bible? (part 2)

Gospel preaching includes reproof, rebuking and exhorting. Paul instructed Timothy, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (II Tim. 4:2). He had earlier, in his first epistle to Timothy, told him, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (I Tim. 5:20). This was said with reference to elders; however the principle would apply to all. In fact, Paul also told Titus how to deal with "many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped." He told him, "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:10-13). Somewhere along the line folks have gotten the perverted idea that reproof, rebuking and exhortation to do right and shun the wrong is not a loving thing to do. However, Jesus, through John's mighty pen on Patmos, wrote, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:19). The margin reads point out faults, correct.

Gospel preaching makes enemies. Paul asked the question in Galatians 4:16, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" Of course one is a friend who warns you of the error of the path you are traveling; however many fail to see this and will become enemies of those who lovingly try to encourage them to correct their lives. Jesus spoke of the rift between friends and loved ones that would come as a result of following Him and His word. "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be those of his own household" (Matt. 10:34-36). In His unmatched sermon on the mount, Jesus also spoke of how folks would turn against those who do right. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (Matt. 5:10-11). Does gospel preaching or righteous living make enemies? Jesus said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake" (Luke 6:22). In fact Jesus told His disciples, "the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God a favor" (John 16:2).

Gospel preaching will offend some. No faithful gospel preacher ever sets out with the intention of offending anyone. However, I'm not sure where we ever got the idea that we can preach the truth and never upset anyone. If a man is in sin and has no intention of correcting his life, chances are pretty good that he is going to be offended by the truth. Jesus offended some in His preaching. On one occasion, after He had answered a question posed to him and had made some much-needed statements to them, his disciples came and asked, "Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying" (Matt. 15:12)? It certainly was not Jesus' intention to offend; however He did not apologize for the truth that He had taught. His reply, "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matt. 15:13-14).

Gospel preaching causes a stir. Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching the gospel at Philippi; the charge, "These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city" (Acts 16:20). And later in Thessalonica, they were called "These that have turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). The reason we are not "turning the world upside down" with the gospel today is because too many preachers and Christians are just trying to "fit in."

Gospel preaching must not be compromised "no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you" (Gal. 2:4-5). Any change, no matter how small, will only result in a perverted gospel and bring God's curse upon the perpetrator of the change (Gal. 1:6-9). This idea of not tampering with God's revealed will is again stressed just shortly before John laid down the pen of inspiration. "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Rev. 22:18-19).

Preacher, how about you? Are you truly a "gospel" preacher or is that just a name you go by? Elders, do you demand gospel preaching? Members, do you demand that the gospel be preached where you worship? And, do you support it wholeheartedly when it is preached? Let us determine to preach the gospel as the Bible describes it.
—Paul Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

All Christians should be soul winners for the Lord Jesus Christ. The harvest is truly plenteous and the laborers are few. Let us all pray earnestly to God to give us more laborers for the harvest of souls and then ask the Lord to send us (Isa. 6:8). Everywhere a Christian looks there are souls around him that are lost. Some of those people we know would obey the gospel if they only knew it. Some that we do not know would obey the gospel if they knew. Some who are out of service to Christ would be restored with some love and compassion shown them. Brethren, we have the gospel and God as a partner in the soul-winning business (I Cor. 3:6).

What is hindering us from saving the lost? Materialism is plaguing the church of today. Entertainment is getting much of our time. There is absolutely too much fussing and envy in the family of God. It seems that the church of today has lost its mission in the world. We do not have the missionary spirit of the early church in today's congregations. Many, many things are hindering soul-winning in the church of the Lord. God will not be with a church that will not go out and seek the lost (Matt. 28:18-20). Christ will be with us as long as we are going with the gospel but when we refuse to carry the message to the lost of earth Christ refuses to be with us (Matt. 28:20).

Christians can make a difference in the world if they are willing to do so. Churches do not grow because members do not care enough to make them grow. Many who read this article will lay it aside and forget about it and this is why congregations do not grow. If we are just listeners to God's word, our religion is not worth a plug nickel (James 1:21-25). If you have not been in the work of the Lord, my brother, repent and get busy. Let the Lord hear from you.
—Malcolm L. Hill