Category: Preaching

Anything that is wrong should be opposed. Whatever lacks scriptural authorization must never be given endorsement. It takes knowledge, wisdom, faith, courage, and love for the truth to stand in opposition to practices that are against the will of God.

Out there in the highways and bi-ways of our busy world are lost people looking for the light. They are not hard-hearted. They are ignorant because no one has ever taught them the truth. Among Christians who are carnal minded are those who love scripture and who apply it diligently to their lives. We must not lose heart because of reverses, disappointments, personal loss or sacrifice. The gospel is still the “dynamite” of God that can save the world (Rom. 1:16). Let us “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).

In 2 Timothy 4:5, Paul tells Timothy, “Do the work of an evangelist.” Evangelists are mentioned among those the Lord gave the church “for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). They thus have an important place in God’s plan for the church, the saved. As the title indicates, the purpose of this article is to tell what place in God’s scheme an evangelist has.

As we noted in the introduction, brethren in the first century had to deal with the logistics of their work and, as we have seen, so must brethren today. All told, such logistics usually demand a large amount of time and money. Sometimes preachers are said to “only work a few hours a week.” Hopefully, the things brought forth in this article will give a greater appreciation for what men in different places go through to preach the Gospel.

Christians need to realize that the Bible is anti-worldly, as brother Franklin wrote. It is against doing things which seem right unto man (Prov. 14:12). It is against using the tools of men, science or otherwise, to attract the lost to the Lord (1 Cor. 1:18-2:5).

Many are the nice places to live in America. However, there are places outside of America where it is also pleasant to live. These places are also mission fields in need of the Gospel. Hopefully, this article will help prospective workers in their view of preaching in Eastern Europe and lead to further efforts in the Lord’s work there.

Calling names will never be popular. This fact alone should neither encourage or discourage us. Nor should the reaction of the public be the total criterion. While some human judgment must determine our practice, the most important factor must be that of a boldness in declaring Jesus that reflects a New Testament spirit. Such preaching will arouse and convict; it will irritate and confound; it will cause extreme reactions and deepest opposition … among those in sin. But of those in sin will be some who can be led into paths of righteousness and salvation by this same bold preaching.

Be not afraid to speak that word which these dead soldiers preached. Their courage and their determination and their devotion serve to instruct, to motivate, and ultimately to save us by the preaching of the implanted word of God (James 1:21).

Satan is a master at charging his opponents with what he himself is doing. When he first introduces error, it is often on an optional basis but it soon becomes enforced as a human creed which must be accepted or at least tolerated. While Satan is stirring up strife, unjustly accusing men of evil intentions, and establishing a new human creed, he charges all who oppose him with doing those very things.

Mission work can take one to strange, exciting, and dangerous places. It can bring him into contact with literally all kinds of people (such stories would fill a book). There are a variety of methods one might use. One might go as a planter or a waterer. He may go as a planter and, with time, do the work of a waterer. Let us all resolve to think of ourselves as ministers of God and, as such, serve him as preachers and teachers of his word.

In the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Paul contrasts the wisdom of men with what he calls “the foolishness of God.” His…

Are we living for God as we ought? Do we appreciate what God has said about these moral issues that come up from day to day? Yes, the Bible is a relevant book, and yes, God’s word has meaning for us today. Woe to anyone who thinks otherwise! Regardless of how “foolish” men think it is, it is our responsibility to preach and promote God’s word to a lost and dying world.

This issue of Watchman Magazine is brought to you with the intent of encouraging all who read to turn in trust to the word of God, foolishness indeed to people of this world, but the wisdom of God to those who seek Heaven. It is our desire, as that of David’s, to be “a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts” (Ps. 119:63).

Nakedness is not defined by our culture; God has placed limits there. Examine the scriptures and be convinced of what he expects. We should monitor our wardrobe to see that we are walking in the light as he is in the light (1 John 1:7) and not in the shadow of the temple to worldliness. No matter how appealing to our eye, and no matter how great our desire to be admired, we must resist an immodest display of the flesh.

Fact is, everyone agrees that a man has the right to study for himself, reach his own conclusions, and teach them, But he must be prepared to face examination of his conclusions!!! If a man cannot stand to have his teaching scrutinized and rebuked, he ought not to preach.

Now make the application to the “cross.” If I re-define “word of the cross” to mean only the passion and death of Jesus on Calvary and then complain that when you preach about elders, organization of the church, morality, etc., you are not preaching the “word of the cross,” I am also playing fast and loose with the truth. The real and only fair consideration is, “How does the Bible define the ‘word of the cross,’ and what does it mean to ‘preach Christ and him crucified’?” Let the Bible define its own terms.

While preacheritis cannot always be controlled by the preacher, that is, some brethren will just be that way, let us be determined not to lend a hand in our own exaltation, nor that of another. Let us all look to the one Head of the church, the one Author and Finisher of our faith, the one Apostle and High Priest of our profession, the one Lamb of God, the one Alpha and Omega–the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; Heb. 12:2; 3:1; Jn. 1:29; Rev. 1:8)!

The next time you look in a mirror and arrange your hair, etc., trying to enhance what little physical beauty you have, sit down and look at your feet. No one brags on these “less comely” parts of the body (1 Cor. 12:21-24). But God chose this exact analogy to describe gospel preaching in order to eliminate human pride and philosophy from the consideration of those who would preach (1 Cor. 12:28-29).

The truth of the matter is that style and form of preaching is not the issue. If there is room in the Lord’s church for all kinds of methods of preaching (and there is), why is the “watchman” method (a Biblical approach: Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:14-15) not acceptable? What needs to be stressed is that a compromising spirit has affected many who actually object to truth being taught.

We as Christians ought to examine closely our attitudes toward the preaching of the word of God. It is disturbing to hear the criticism that is being expressed toward those who are following the example of Jeremiah and warning of sin in our time. May we as God’s people ever have a tender heart towards His will, and those who proclaim it to us.