The Significance of Preaching the Whole Word
Brad Harrub
Having traveled all across the United States it has become crystal clear that we are now reaping the fruits of weak preaching. 30-40 years ago the church was criticized by outsiders who hurled insults like, "You guys think you are the only ones going to heaven." In response, many pulpits stopped preaching about the uniqueness of the church, doctrine, judgment, MDR, hell, etc. Everything became fluffier and friendlier to the ears. Sermons that once held lots of Scripture became "sermon-lite," sounding more like a motivational speeches with lots of illustrations and jokes. Elders asked preachers to focus on love and grace--topics the world convinced us we had overlooked. We as a body believed these tweaks would increase our numbers and please the masses.
Fast-forward 30+ years. Congregations of the Lord's church today are full of dysfunctional families. The tentacles of divorce have reached far and wide into the church. We are missing most of the millennial generation. We have raised children who do not fear God and are the most narcissistic generation in history. Teens are actively experimenting with homosexuality and transgenderism. Many congregations are turning toward entertainment and exploring the possibility of adding a contemporary worship service. Sadly, many congregations have lost their uniqueness--and appear similar to a community church down the road.
Fog in the pulpit--mist in the pews. A weak pulpit will eventually reach into the homes of members. No, it's not the preachers job to do everything. But the preacher should be the one holding tightly to God's moral compass and pointing the congregation due north. He should be declaring the Truth without reservation or fear. He should be stoking the fires in the hearts of those listening. Elders should be demanding sermons that take the congregation into the Word and lessons that shed light on the uniqueness of the church. Preachers should address topics like hell, MDR, and judgement without tip-toeing around. Preachers, you are a vessel to declare the Word of God. That's your job. You don't ever have to apologize for that.
Our job is not to please the masses. The Gospel will always be a scandal to those who have not obeyed--because it points out the problem of sin. Paul wrote: "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences." (2 Corinthians 5:11). It was not with programs and gimmicks. It was by pointing out sin and the fear of the Lord that they converted thousands. If you are trying to please those in the world then you are not preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ because the world will never find it "pleasing." It's time to silence the fluffy sermons from the pulpits of His church, and instead serve up the meat of the Word. We have too many broken homes. We have too many failed marriages. We have too many lost children. It's time we throw the gauntlet down and say, "No more."
Brad Harrub
Having traveled all across the United States it has become crystal clear that we are now reaping the fruits of weak preaching. 30-40 years ago the church was criticized by outsiders who hurled insults like, "You guys think you are the only ones going to heaven." In response, many pulpits stopped preaching about the uniqueness of the church, doctrine, judgment, MDR, hell, etc. Everything became fluffier and friendlier to the ears. Sermons that once held lots of Scripture became "sermon-lite," sounding more like a motivational speeches with lots of illustrations and jokes. Elders asked preachers to focus on love and grace--topics the world convinced us we had overlooked. We as a body believed these tweaks would increase our numbers and please the masses.
Fast-forward 30+ years. Congregations of the Lord's church today are full of dysfunctional families. The tentacles of divorce have reached far and wide into the church. We are missing most of the millennial generation. We have raised children who do not fear God and are the most narcissistic generation in history. Teens are actively experimenting with homosexuality and transgenderism. Many congregations are turning toward entertainment and exploring the possibility of adding a contemporary worship service. Sadly, many congregations have lost their uniqueness--and appear similar to a community church down the road.
Fog in the pulpit--mist in the pews. A weak pulpit will eventually reach into the homes of members. No, it's not the preachers job to do everything. But the preacher should be the one holding tightly to God's moral compass and pointing the congregation due north. He should be declaring the Truth without reservation or fear. He should be stoking the fires in the hearts of those listening. Elders should be demanding sermons that take the congregation into the Word and lessons that shed light on the uniqueness of the church. Preachers should address topics like hell, MDR, and judgement without tip-toeing around. Preachers, you are a vessel to declare the Word of God. That's your job. You don't ever have to apologize for that.
Our job is not to please the masses. The Gospel will always be a scandal to those who have not obeyed--because it points out the problem of sin. Paul wrote: "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences." (2 Corinthians 5:11). It was not with programs and gimmicks. It was by pointing out sin and the fear of the Lord that they converted thousands. If you are trying to please those in the world then you are not preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ because the world will never find it "pleasing." It's time to silence the fluffy sermons from the pulpits of His church, and instead serve up the meat of the Word. We have too many broken homes. We have too many failed marriages. We have too many lost children. It's time we throw the gauntlet down and say, "No more."