Chapter 4: Why are Teaching & Preaching Central?

“A church is a group of Christians…who assemble as an earthly embassy of Christ’s heavenly kingdom…to proclaim the good news and commands of Christ the King…” [from the extended definition of the church from the book]

PREACHING & TEACHING

In 2 Timothy 4.2 we find both of these words— “Preach the word…with great patience and teaching.” So, what is the Bible talking about?

Preaching = Proclaiming, Telling, Announcing, Shout (Cry) Out, Sound the Alarm // “Thus says the LORD”

Teaching = Instructing, Causing to learn // “The LORD says, thus (we)…”

We see that preaching and teaching are to be done in the local church…but centrally significant? WHY?

A HALLMARK OF OUR FAITH

HALLMARK — A distinguishing characteristic, trait, or feature (MWD)

“THUS SAYS THE LORD” [Tie to ‘preaching’ component)

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” [Already talked a little bit about this one…re-saying what God has said has always been who we are; AND preaching is not seen as done in a room by yourself…but with others!]

Deuteronomy 8:3 “He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” [If this sounds familiar to you, but you weren’t expecting to see Deuteronomy, let me share this other verse…]

Matthew 4:4 “He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”” [LIFE is firstly spiritual (eternally focused—then ‘immediately’ focused); Our lives must be infused with God’s word. We assure ourselves together in this quest by meeting together weekly around God’s word]

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” [The message about Christ…the word of God is the undeniable starting point of evangelism/conversion]

Jeremiah 38:2–4 ““This is what the Lord says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever surrenders to the Chaldeans will live. He will retain his life like the spoils of war and will live.’ This is what the Lord says: ‘This city will most certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon’s army, and he will capture it.’ ” The officials then said to the king, “This man ought to die, because he is weakening the morale of the warriors who remain in this city and of all the people by speaking to them in this way. This man is not pursuing the welfare of this people, but their harm.”” [Just a word of ‘encouragement’—saying what God says isn’t always going to be well received. Now it should be that the truth is what is not well received—and not us being rude, dismissive, hateful. Like my missions professor in seminary told us, “Don’t let you being a jerk be the reason anyone turns away from the Gospel and the truth of Scripture.…REMAIN FAITHFUL]

[[Jeremiah 38:9 ““My lord the king, these men have been evil in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah. They have dropped him into the cistern where he will die from hunger, because there is no more bread in the city.””]]

THE HERITAGE OF OUR FAITH

HERITAGE — Something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor; legacy (MWD)

“THE LORD SAYS, THUS (WE)…” (Tie to ‘teaching’ component)

2 Timothy 2:1–2 “You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

1 Timothy 4:15–16 “Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” [Pass it along…faithful words and a faithful life—to others who will pass it along, and to others who will pass it along!]

1 Timothy 3:2 “An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,” [Overseer/Elder/Pastor]

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 “These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” [Parents…even Grandparents…Family]

Titus 2:2–3 “Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good,” [Older Men & Women]

1 Timothy 1:3–4 “As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach false doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith.” [Whooo boy! This exhortation just might be a word for today! 😄]

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.” [Just like the other category…a bit of ‘encouragement’ that challenges will come with commitment to a biblically faithful heritage!]

CONCL—

[P. 59 Par. 1 end…the culture of Heaven.]

AND the Goal of this preaching and teaching; this proclaiming and instructing?? [I promise it’s not primarily seeking out false teachers to combat. It’s more like…]

1 Timothy 1:5 “Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”

[[Micah 6:8 “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”]]

INVITATION:

Salvation

Preach & Teach

Listen & Learn

2 Timothy 2:2 CSB

What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

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