BOLD PREACHING
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The Lord’s church in many places is lacking “bold preaching”
In many places the speaker behind the pulpit is more of an “after dinner speaker” than he is a gospel preacher
Lacking passion
Lacking scripture
Lacking BOLDNESS
2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
This should be the battle cry for every gospel preacher.
This should be the battle cry for every gospel preacher.
But sadly, there are many preachers who lack boldness, courage, and love for the truth.
Too many of our preachers today are “hirelings” and do not truly care for the souls of man…
12 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: 13 he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Too much of our preaching today is “conversational” sissy boy wishy-washy mush.
What has happened to the tried and true “fire and brimstone” preaching?
What has happened to the tried and true “fire and brimstone” preaching?
To where has dynamic book, chapter, and verse preaching disappeared?
I have been preaching now for almost 40 years, and sadly over the last several years I see weak pulpits developing all over our land.
Our great preachers of the past would be appalled at the kind of preaching going on today.
GK Wallace
Johnny Ramsey
Curtis Gates
But, more importantly, what would Jesus think?
Would He be pleased with the “sissy boy” preaching of today? I think not!
In the lesson of this hour we are going to discuss “bold preaching.”
In the lesson of this hour we are going to discuss “bold preaching.”
DISCUSSION
“BOLDNESS”
“BOLDNESS”
parrhsia (par-re-sia) - found 39 times in the New Testament
The sense: willing to undertake activities that involve risk or danger – especially that involve being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
Various Greek lexicons define: courage, frankness, confidence, plain, candor, straightforwardness
“PREACHING”
“PREACHING”
kerusso (ke-rus-so) – “to proclaim as a herald”
kerusso (ke-rus-so) – “to proclaim as a herald”
1 And it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.
… there is teaching and THERE IS PREACHING
15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
euaggelizo (e-van-geli-zo) – “to tell good news, an evangelist”
euaggelizo (e-van-geli-zo) – “to tell good news, an evangelist”
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
kataggello (ka-tan-gello) – “to tell thoroughly”
kataggello (ka-tan-gello) – “to tell thoroughly”
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
…“proclaimed” - ASV
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
…“proclaim” - ASV
laleo (la-leo) – “to express in speech”
laleo (la-leo) – “to express in speech”
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
…“speaking”
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
…“spoken”
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOLD PREACHING
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOLD PREACHING
Preaching has been important to God through the ages.
Preaching has been important to God through the ages.
Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Pet 2:5).
Moses was God’s prophet.
The prophets were preachers.
Jesus came preaching.
The apostles were preachers.
The world-wide commission calls for preaching (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15,16).
God’s appraisal of preaching…
21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
The place and priority of bold preaching in the New Testament.
The place and priority of bold preaching in the New Testament.
Bold preaching is God’s divinely appointed means of spreading the gospel
9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: 13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
If traced from cause to effect – sent - preach - hearing - believing calling - saved.
Or from effect to cause – saved, called, believe, heard, preacher, sent.
PREACHING IS VITAL!
Bold preaching is how faith is produced in the hearer.
Facts are proclaimed
1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;
Faith pre-supposes revelation (Rom 10:17).
Faith necessitates an object.
Bold preaching of the Word is God’s way of regenerating man.
The Word is living - the Preacher’s message is alive!
12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. 24 For,
All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
25 But the word of the Lord abideth for ever.
And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you.
The Word imparts and develops life
63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.
1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
Bold preaching is how the believer is built up in the holy faith.
Note the three-fold objective of Paul’s ministry…
28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; 29 whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
To warn - Man is lost. Sin will condemn. God’s wrath is real.
To teach - Present a Savior. How to be saved. How to live.
To present - To develop. To equip. To present to Christ.
Note the seven-fold work of the Word…
15 and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
Make wise to salvation.
For doctrine.
For correction.
For reproof.
For instruction in righteousness.
Develop Christian maturity.
To thoroughly furnish.
Bold preaching is God’s means of reaching and involving the whole man.
Intellect, by which man acquires facts, information, and knowledge.
Emotions, with which man reacts to knowledge - stirred, aroused.
Will, the volition to act favorably or unfavorably toward that which has been received.
AN EXAMPLE OF BOLD PREACHING
AN EXAMPLE OF BOLD PREACHING
Peter and John had just healed lame man at the gate called “Beautiful” (Acts 3)
Peter and John had just healed lame man at the gate called “Beautiful” (Acts 3)
Many people had gathered among Peter and John in great wonderment concerning the miracle
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 14 But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, 15 and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
19 Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;
… told them of their sin and need for repentance
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. 4 But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
The next day Peter and John were brought be before the leaders…
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?
Notice Peter’s response…
Notice Peter’s response…
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, 9 if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole; 10 be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner. 12 And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
13 Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
The leaders having no desire for this truth to spread among the people had a meeting to decide what to do
18 And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: 20 for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard. 21 And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Afterward Peter and John went among the brethren and reported the things that were done, and the brethren prayed for their further boldness…
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
In this bold preaching of Peter and John we see courage and straightforwardness
In this bold preaching of Peter and John we see courage and straightforwardness
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT BOLD PREACHING IS NOTICE HOW par-rh-sia IS TRANSLATED ELSEWHERE
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT BOLD PREACHING IS NOTICE HOW par-rh-sia IS TRANSLATED ELSEWHERE
32 And he spake the saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
…“openly”
14 Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in dark sayings: the hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in dark sayings, but shall tell you plainly of the Father.
…“plainly”
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
…“confidence”
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
…“plainness”
Thus, bold preaching must be:
Thus, bold preaching must be:
Open – hiding nothing
Plain – not misunderstood
With Confidence
Bold (par-rh-sia) Preaching will be filled with:
Bold (par-rh-sia) Preaching will be filled with:
Courage
Confidence
Candor
BOLD PREACHING IS NEEDED…
BOLD PREACHING IS NEEDED…
To keep the Church free from every false way
To keep the Church free from every false way
3 As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4 neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now.
3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
Because souls are at stake
Because souls are at stake
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
IF I WERE TO ASK YOU WHAT WOULD BE WORSE, TO GIVE YOUR CHILDREN COTTON CANDY OR POISON, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
IF I WERE TO ASK YOU WHAT WOULD BE WORSE, TO GIVE YOUR CHILDREN COTTON CANDY OR POISON, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
In answer to this question most people would very quickly say that poison would be the worst thing to give our children.
In answer to this question most people would very quickly say that poison would be the worst thing to give our children.
But consider this, what if all we gave our children to eat was cotton candy?
What if cotton candy was their favorite food and that was all they wanted, and any time they received anything else they would throw a fit?
Would we only give them cotton candy?
Would we be loving and concerned parents if we only fed our children this cottony pile of sugar?
Most assuredly not! We understand that our children could not survive only on sugar, for they would soon grow weak and sick, and would soon die.
So, what is worse for us to give our children, only cotton candy or poison? The truth is that both will eventually kill our children.
Now let us make a spiritual application.
Now let us make a spiritual application.
Is it worse to teach in the Lord’s church false doctrine or to teach only simple pleasant truths from God’s word?
In answer to this question most people would quickly say that false doctrine would be the worst thing of all to teach.
But consider this, what if we ONLY taught concerning the loving story of Ruth, or about benevolence, or about the need for loving families, or about the need to feel good about ourselves?
Now these are topics that we should be concerned about and are issues of interest and should be taught.
But can a Christian survive spiritually solely on this kind of diet? Can a child of God mature and be grounded in the faith solely on these kinds of meals? The answer is no!
There are many preachers and teachers in the Lord’s church who are not teaching error, but neither are they being distinct and bold in their preaching and teaching.
Many are given more to proclaim what the brethren want to hear than what they need to hear. Concerning the people of Isaiah’s day, the Lord declared…
9 For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah; 10 that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,
Many today are clamoring for the same things as the Israel of old – smooth things, and sweet and pleasant words.
And what is even more disturbing are the preachers and teachers who are giving into their cry with sermons and lessons filled with nothing but “lovey-dovey mush.”
Many preach to please men and tickle their ears with what they like to hear.
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
26 Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
You will notice that bold gospel preaching demands positive and negative proclamation of truth.
But some will not endure the sound doctrine…
3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
But we must not allow this attitude to influence us away from boldly preaching the whole counsel of God.
We have too many “cotton candy preachers and teachers” in the brotherhood who are “sugar coating” the brethren into spiritual decay!
Tell me, which are worse, false teachers or cotton candy preachers?
The truth is they both will cause the spiritual demise of their listeners.
CONCLUSION
Beloved, our preaching and teaching must be true to the Book, straight forward without apologies, address the spiritual needs of the people, encourage the faint hearted, rebuke sin, and loving set forth the whole counsel of God.
Beloved, our preaching and teaching must be true to the Book, straight forward without apologies, address the spiritual needs of the people, encourage the faint hearted, rebuke sin, and loving set forth the whole counsel of God.
That is bold preaching!
That is bold preaching!