The Gospel of John

Introduction: Growing up in a Christian family it was normal for us to gather together with our church family every Sunday morning evening and midweek bible study. When we got together we would pray, sing, give testimonies, listen to preaching, take communion from time to time, see someone baptized from time to time. Until I grew to the age of being able to ask questions I didn't really give much thought about what we would do when we gathered as the church or why we were doing it.

We are currently in a season as a church where we need some reminders as to what we are doing and why we are doing it. Now, there is never a problem with asking questions. We should have an answer for why we do what we do as Christians. However, we should also recognize that the motive for asking questions is just as important as the questions we are asking. if we ask questions in order to find a loop holes to justify ourselves, we ask invalid questions. However, if we ask questions in order to discover clear truth so we might gladly submit to God’s word, then we can certainly expect to discover foundational clarity and unify our activity around that truth.

Transition: Going to spend our time answering from the text , “why preach the word?” (Read II Timothy 3:14-4:5)

Before we get there let me offer two definitions. What is preaching: proclaiming an audible and clear message… what is the word: the message of truth from the Scriptures??

Transition: Specifically, when we gather together as Jesus’ church, what are we supposed to be doing? Offer the context of Paul’s letters to Timothy as the reason why we can go to a passage like this to answer our question about what we should do when we gather together. How we are to function as the household of faith.

Why Preach the Word?

Four reasons...Three positive reasons and one negative…

“Because the Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 3: 14-15

Explanation: Why should we always have preaching when we come together? Because the word that is being preached makes us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Example: Romans 10:14-15

Romans 10:14–15 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Application: Knowing this informs our ministry to those who are not Christians. Neighbors, friends, co workers, or those in unreached areas of the world. We are to continue to preach the word because this is what God uses to bring salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Illustration: A missionary who goes only to aliveate physical needs is not a missionary.

“Because Scripture is breathed out by God” 3:16a

Explanation:

Example: Read Hillcrest’s statement of faith

Illustration: There is trend moving through our culture to “deconstruct faith”. It isn't any new tactic of the evil one to cause doubt… The doctrine of scripture inspiration is fundamental.

Application: The very nature and origin of this word of Scripture means that right now, everyone of us are either being made wise for salvation through faith in Jesus or we are being made foolish for condemnation through unbelief in Jesus. Since this God’s words… God’s truth… God’s gospel. Why would we ever deviate to preach anything else?

“Because Scripture is profitable” 3:16b-17

a. Explanation:

b. Example:

c. Illustration:

d. Application: The Bible contains enough truth to help our every need. It may not say everything about everything but it is sufficient in what it does contain to authoritatively address every problem you may be having. It is profitable for us to hear the Scriptures preached!

“ Because the time is coming...” 4:3-4

Explanation: Recognizing this truth is a guard against favoritism. It guards us from the comparison trap of preacher worship. It guards us from conforming to the notion that the delivery boy is more important than the pizza he is delivering.

Example: What might this look like today? Sitting home watching your favorite preacher and insisting that you have been to church. or… in a broader since… Families seeking alternative ways to raise their children that might suit their passions but is in fact an act of wondering off into a myth.

Closing: Who would ever consider in our day that sitting and listening to a monologue communication of information would be possible? This is why many preachers have adopted alternative methods in order to hold the attention of their listeners.