The Place of Preaching in the Church
By: Dr. John MacArthurg
[Editor: The title of this article is the SSM Founder’s.
The article consists of excerpts from the book The Master’s Plan for the Church. The first section presents some
basic principles from pages 57-59 and 113-114. The other four sections present
four of the eleven duties of the minister based on an exposition I Timothy
4:6-16 in Chapter 12.]
Preaching and Teaching
I've put preaching and teaching together because they are both related to the proclamation of biblical truth. Proclaiming the Word of God is a primary function of the church. I grieve over the sermonettes people hear in some churches. Some preachers merely counsel from the pulpit or deal with ethical issues. In many Sunday school classes people don't learn much about the Bible, and they guess about what it teaches. But the church's most important function is to proclaim the Word of God in an understandable, direct, authoritative way.
Let's look at excerpts from the two epistles Paul wrote to Timothy. First Timothy tells us how we are to behave and function in the church (3:15), and both I and 2 Timothy emphasize that we are to make a priority of proclaiming the Word of God.
First Timothy 3:16 talks about the wonder of the incarnation of Jesus Christ: "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the nations, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (emphasis added). One of the essential elements of God's manifesting Himself in the flesh is preaching. At the heart of the church is the incarnation, and at the heart of the incarnation is its proclamation. Preaching has a central place in the life of a church.
I believe God has blessed Grace Church because it has made a priority of proclaiming the Word of God. We don't just talk about the Bible; we teach it. Many hundreds of people over the years have said they come to Grace Church because they want to be fed the Word of God. That's our commitment; that's our function. It isn't just my job to proclaim the Word; it's everyone's job! Some people are gifted to preach or teach, but we're all to proclaim the Word.
Paul told Timothy that if he reminded the brethren of the truth he would be "a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine" (1 Tim. 4:6). He adds in verse 11, "These things command and teach." In other words, "Teach with authority."
I was invited to speak at a commencement ceremony at the Los Angeles Police Academy. The man next to me told me about the various graduates. He said, "We had to flunk one man because of his voice. It wasn't authoritative enough. A policeman needs to have authority in his voice." That makes sense: a policeman's authority is the law. If I sound like I speak with authority, it's because my authority is the Word of God.
In 1 Timothy 4:13 Paul continues, "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." Timothy was to read the Bible, explain its doctrines, and exhort people to apply it. He was told not to neglect preaching (v. 14) but to meditate on God's truths (v. 15), obey them, and continue following them (v. 16).
We see another dimension of preaching and teaching in 1 Timothy 5:17: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine." That indicates the leadership of a church should focus on preaching and teaching. Indeed, the church's primary function is to proclaim God's Word.
I've heard people criticize Grace Church saying, "There's too much preaching and teaching there and not enough of other things." I don't see how there could ever be too much preaching and teaching!
The reason we put so much emphasis on preaching and teaching is that they help everything else to happen. We have to know what the Bible says about something before we know how to act. We won't know how to worship, pray, evangelize, discipline, shepherd, train, or serve unless we know what the Word of God says.
In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Paul wanted Timothy to handle the Word correctly. In 2 Timothy 1:13 he says, "Hold fast the form of sound words." A person proclaiming God's Word must first commit himself to it and then dispense it.
Scripture makes people "wise unto salvation" (2 Tim. 3:15). It is the Word that "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (vv. 16‑17). Based on those realities Paul issued this charge: "Preach the word; be diligent in season, out of season" (2 Tim. 4:1‑2). In other words, "Work hard at proclaiming God's Word. Keep preaching all the time. Don't worry about whether people are offended by what you say."
Paul then told Timothy to be confrontive in his preaching and to do it "with all long‑suffering and doctrine" (v. 2). Preaching should make people face the failures in their lives, but we can't expect people to come to complete understanding immediately. In the process of confrontive preaching, we must be patient and teach doctrine. It is the Word that convicts. One of the functions of the church is to patiently teach the Word of God in a confrontive way so that people are made accountable before God to make sure their lives are right.
Ephesians 4:23 says, "Be renewed in the spirit of your minds." Romans 12:2 says, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." You need to have the Word in your mind so that right behavior will follow. Preaching and teaching the Word puts Scripture at the forefront of people's minds; there is no substitute for them . . .
When W A. Criswell went to First Baptist Church of Dallas, he was only the second pastor in its history. He had been preceded by another great man of God, George Truett. As Criswell took over the pulpit, he told the board that he planned to teach through the Bible verse‑by‑verse. They said, "You can't do that; you'll empty the place!" He didn't empty it, for that church became the biggest in America, with over 15,000 members. All those people came because he taught them the Word of God, and it changed their lives as they responded to it.
The proclamation of God's truth by preaching (Gk., koerugma) and teaching (Gk., didache) changes men and women's lives. That is why dynamic churches are directed by a pulpit that teaches biblical truth and motivates Christians to apply it.
Some believe that preaching should make everyone feel good. Suppose a man has an unhappy life. He works hard for an unfair boss, he's henpecked at home, his kid is a delinquent, and he can't make the payments on his car. When he comes to church, he shouldn't be smashed from pillar to post. Therefore some think that preaching ought to emphasize positive thinking that assumes everything is wonderful and rosy.
I once saw on a Christian television program a preacher who said, "Oh, every day with Jesus is so happy! If you could only be as happy as I am! " That wouldn't go over very well with the wife who has just returned from the cemetery where she buried her husband, or with the mother whose little child has been diagnosed as having terminal leukemia. Every day is not a happy day. Every day is fulfilling and there is an abiding joy in the presence of Christ, but Christianity is not a slaphappy way of life. If all we do is come together and tell each other how wonderful life is, we're all lying.
Others think that preaching should be geared toward helping people solve their problems. We live in a world that is so psychologically oriented it seems we can hardly think without getting into clinical analysis. We can't objectively accept anything without analyzing it. That reasoning has carried over into the church and has developed what I call "problem‑centered preaching." It is where the preacher states a problem and gives ten verses out of context on how to solve it, along with a few stories about some people who solved it.
A pastor isn't a glorified psychoanalyst, a grandfather, or a Santa Claus who pats you on the head and tells you everything is fine. The preacher's task is not only to educate Christians in the Word of God but also to encourage them to change their behavior in conformity to it. In fact, in many cases he should make them feel worse before they feel better because there has to be healing before there can be restoration. When I preach a sermon that convicts those who hear it, I know that the message is getting through. A church pulpit isn't primarily designed to help people make decisions about the details of everyday living. It is meant to teach the Word of God and identify sin so that they might change their behavior. Pacifying one's problems doesn't make a person feel better. Rather confessing and repenting of sin and changing one's life is what produces true joy.
The Excellent Servant Warns People Of Error
Although the ministry is not to be dominated by a negative approach, that doesn't mean there is no place for warning others about the destructiveness of false doctrine. Paul makes a transition from exposing demonic doctrines to explaining how to be an excellent servant of Jesus Christ by instructing Timothy to warn the church about such doctrines. "Put the brethren in remembrance of these things" (v. 6). It is necessary to remind Christians of error. Ministry demands warning.
The Greek word translated "put . . . in remembrance of" means to lay before. Its use here as a present participle indicates continually reminding people of the reality of false doctrine. It does not imply commanding people but giving them counsel and advice in a gentle, humble manner. A servant of Christ must teach people to be discerning by encouraging them to think biblically.
Identifying error is not to be the theme of the average pastor's ministry, but it should be a recurring reminder. When Paul met with the Ephesian elders he said, "I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, watch, and remember, that for the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up" (Acts 20:29‑32). Paul continually made the Ephesians aware of error and pointed them to the positive solution, the Word. The truth supplies the foundation from which error can be dealt with properly.
Christians can avoid being "children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14) by being firmly grounded in the Word of God. First John 2:13‑14 reinforces the fact that a believer learns to deal with satanic error by being strong in the Word, which is the sword of the Spirit. That's the only way to win against beings who disguise themselves as angels of light and ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14‑15).
The church's failure to be discerning in this generation has allowed it to become infiltrated by all kinds of error. It is confused, weak, and in some cases apostate. Limp theology and convictionless preaching have replaced strong doctrine and clear exposition of Scripture. The legacy has been tragic. The church has been flooded with confusion, unbiblical psychology, occult influences, success‑oriented philosophy, and prosperity theology.
The church must draw the lines between error and truth and build up its people in the Word of God. God holds pastors accountable to warn their people of spiritual danger. The Lord told Ezekiel, "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand" (Ezek. 3:17‑18). If spiritual leaders fail to do that, they will have to answer to God (Heb. 13:17). Although the church today seems to embrace everything, including error, the man of God must develop convictions based upon a biblical theology and continually warn his people of error. He is committed to protecting the flock, not petting the sheep.
The Excellent Servant Is An Expert Student Of Scripture
An excellent minister is also an expert student of Scripture: "Nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, unto which thou hast attained" (v. 6). Sad to say, many Christian pastors have a minimal understanding of Scripture and little commitment to studying it. There was a day in the history of the church when the great students of Scripture and theology were pastors. Puritan ministers, rather than being just good communicators, were first and foremost students of God's Word. They worked at understanding, interpreting, and applying the Word of God with precision and wisdom.
The Greek word translated "nourished up" is a present passive participle, implying that being nourished with the Word of God is a continual process of feeding. That involves reading Scripture, meditating on it, interacting with it, and studying it until you've mastered the material.
It is essential that we be continually nourished by "the words of faith." That phrase refers to the body of Christian truth in Scripture. We are to master Scripture. We'll never accomplish that, but it is our pursuit. We are to be experts in that area, not just good communicators who tickle people's cars and make them think they heard something enjoyable (2 Tim. 4:3). We need to accurately interpret and defend the Word of God. Not only are we to be nourished directly by 44 the words of faith" but also by "good doctrine" (Gk., kalo didaskalia). "Good doctrine" encompasses teaching biblical truth and applying its principles. Spiritual growth is based upon our interaction with biblical truth.
1 Peter 2:2 ‑ We grow spiritually as we study the Bible.
2 Timothy 2:15 ‑ Paul said, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." We are called‑above and beyond all other elements in the ministry‑to be expert students of the Word.
Ephesians 6:1 7 ‑ We are to use "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," with great precision.
Colossians 3:16 ‑ We are to have the Word of Christ dwelling in us richly and deeply.
2 Timothy 3:16‑17 ‑ Since the Word of God "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," we must know it if we are to equip others spiritually.
To be able to think and speak biblically, a pastor must spend a large portion of his time interacting with the text of Scripture. It is an inexhaustible treasure that demands a lifetime just to begin to understand its riches. There is no virtue in being ignorant. Unfortunately we are a generation of people who do not like to think; we prefer to be entertained. Nevertheless we must commit ourselves to studying, understanding, and articulating the Word of God.
Sadly, there are many men who have no delight in their studies. They spend an hour now and then, or even no time at all. Many regard study an unwelcome task that interrupts an easy schedule of activity. They like to have guests as often as possible in their pulpits so they don't have to spend time studying, and they prefer the variety of administrative tasks and meetings. The minimal study that they do produces a weak sermon that fails to penetrate the hearts and minds of their listeners.
William Tyndale, the man responsible for getting the New Testament translated into the English language in 1525, was in prison facing martyrdom. He wrote a letter to the governor‑in‑chief, asking that these possessions be sent to him: a warmer cap, a warmer coat, and a piece of cloth to patch his leggings. Then he said, "But most of all I beg and beseech and entreat your clemency to be urgent with the commissary, that he will kindly permit me to have the Hebrew bible, Hebrew grammar, and Hebrew dictionary that I may pass the time in that study" (J. E. Mozley, William Tyndale [N.Y.: MacMillan, 19371, p. 334). Any seminary student who has struggled with Hebrew probably cannot relate to such a request! But later in life when you plunge more deeply into the Word of God, it's wonderful to be able to say that what you cherish most is what helps you understand the Word of God.
The Excellent Servant Teaches With Authority
"These things command and teach," Paul instructed Timothy (v. 11). The Greek word translated "teach" in verse 11 refers to passing on information, in this case passing on instruction or doctrine. It is to be done in the form of a command.
There is much popular, entertainment‑oriented preaching today, but not much that is powerful or transforming in nature. Are the weak suggestions from the pulpit these days really what God wants? According to Acts 17:30 God "commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (emphasis added).
Matthew 7:28‑29 says, "It came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings [the Sermon on the Mount], the people were astonished at his doctrine; for he taught them as one having authority." Paul told Timothy many times to be authoritative. In I Timothy 1:3 he says, "Charge some that they teach no other doctrine." Then he said, "These things command" (5:7). In 5:20 Paul urges Timothy to rebuke people publicly. Then in 6:17 he gives him commands to give to rich people in the church. In Titus 2:15 he says, "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." That doesn't mean we are to be abusive or ungracious. But we are to confront people when they disobey God's Word.
The faithful servant is bold. He challenges sin head on. He confronts unbelief, disobedience, and lack of commitment. God said of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son ... hear ye him" (Matt. 17:5). The excellent servant carries on that directive, commanding all men to repent and listen to Jesus Christ.
Our authority has a foundation. First, you must know what you believe about the Bible. If you're not sure it's the Word of God, you won't be authoritative. Next you have to know what God's Word says. If you're not sure what it means, you can't be authoritative. Then you must be concerned about communicating it properly because you care that His Word is upheld. Finally, you should care about people's response to His Word.
Our teaching should be filled with commands, not just sentimental pleadings. Instead of trying to sneak up on people with God's truth, we need to speak forth the Word of God and let it do its work.
The Excellent Servant Has A Thoroughly Biblical Ministry
"Till I come," Paul told Timothy, "give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (v. 13). The Greek verb translated "give attendance" is proseche. It is a present active imperative, a continuing command. Paul is commanding Timothy to continually give attention to reading, exhortation, and teaching. It was to become Timothy's way of life. Commentator Donald Guthrie tells us that the verb "implies previous preparation in private" (The Pastoral Epistles [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978], p. 97). The same verb is used in Hebrews 7:13 of the priests who were continually devoted to their service at the altar. So Timothy was to center his ministry on reading, exhortation, and teaching.
Reading
In verse 13 a definite article appears in the Greek text before the word translated "reading." Timothy was to give attention to "the reading." In the services of the early church a time was set aside for the reading of Scripture. It was followed by an exposition of the text.
That model of expository preaching comes from Nehemiah 8:8: "They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." Scripture needs to be explained so people can understand it. Obviously the further we are removed culturally, geographically, linguistically, philosophically, and historically from the original text of Scripture, the more necessary it becomes to research those facts. That's the challenge for the Bible teacher, and it's where his effort is needed.
Exhortation
If the reading and exposition of Scripture tell us what it means, what is exhortation all about? It is a call for people to apply it. To exhort is to warn people to obey with a view toward judgment. We are to encourage people to respond properly, telling them about the blessing or the consequences of their actions. It is always binding on a person's conscience to amend certain behavior.
Doctrine
The Greek word translated "doctrine" (didaskalia) means teaching. That means systematically teaching the Word of God in both group and individual settings. Didaskalia appears fifteen times in the pastoral epistles. That gives us some idea of its importance to the life of the church. No wonder the pastor must be "apt to teach" (I Tim. 3:2). Since the church's ministry revolves around teaching the Word of God, how could anyone ever hope to lead in a church if he's not a skilled teacher?
First Timothy 5:17 says, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. " The harder a man works in teaching God's Word, the more honorable he is. It's sad to realize that many men in ministry have been diverted away from the most important pursuit.
We need to be relentless teachers. Puritan clergyman John Flavel wrote, "It is not with us, as with other labourers: They find their work as they leave it, so do not we." Picture the cabinetmaker who leaves his unfinished work and comes back to it the next morning to find it exactly as he left it. Flavel continues, "Sin and Satan unravel almost all we do, the impression we make on our people's souls in one sermon, vanishes before the next" (The Works of John Flavel, vol. 6 [London: Banner of Truth, 19681, p. 569).
We fight the unraveling process
all the time. That's why I repeat much of what I teach. Every good pastor and
teacher knows that people forget what he teaches, so he must be repetitive.
But he also realizes that people become familiar with what he teaches. When
they realize they are being taught something they have already heard, they
think they know it and become bored by it. The challenge for the teacher is to
repeat his teaching in such a manner that the people think he is teaching them
something new. It would be easy for me to pack up a hundred sermons, go out on
the road, and preach them over and over again. The challenge for me is to stay
in the same place, say the same things over and over, yet have people think I'm
teaching them something they've never heard. If you study the Bible, you'll
find that Scripture does the same thing. Its principles are repeated over and
over in different contexts and through different narratives.