Michael Wolfe
CM102 – Invitation To Biblical Preaching 1
Response To Course
This course definitely gave me food for thought in several
different areas. Facing the reality of
“The Ministry of Discouragement” as Kent
Edwards so eloquently stated is something I know all too well and experience on
a daily basis as a senior Pastor.
The many and varied challenges we face in today’s world as
leaders in a congregation do run the gamut from the obvious stage fright to the
more specific of fleshing out a topic for a congregation perhaps not very
receptive to its message.
As the instructor Prof. Edwards states and my heart fully
assents to, there must be applicable knowledge of textual and cultural nuances in
the biblical text. Without a broad
understanding of church history and myriad historical accounts of scriptural truths preaching cannot be true to
the text.
My own personal experience agrees with the fact “preaching
is not easy”. There are many challenges. Today is much more difficult in
complicated ways because of the myriad false and misleading doctrines, hundreds
of commentaries reflecting differing viewpoints, and the dangers of falling
into entertaining and worldly stories which dilute solid truth to name a few.
The preachers of yesteryear had their own unique struggles.
We are not facing the same things. There are no men trying to kill us for
preaching. Although, persecution would perhaps not be a bad thing and might
possibly change the landscape of Christianity in the USA. I quote from Pastor
Steve Lawson in the documentary Puritan: All Of Life To The Glory Of God,
he said, “The problem with preachers today is no one is trying to kill them.”
(unquote).
As the spiritual authority of the church Pastors must keep
preaching God’s Word and feeding the sheep as his priority. I appreciate
Malcomb Gladwell saying that it takes 10,000 hours of concentrated time spent
correcting and perfecting. Reflection and meditation on the text the Lord has
given utilizing expert and sound tools such as Logos Bible Software takes time
and prayer. This can be very difficult with the distractions of the
congregation with event planning and other activities.
John Stott asked rhetorically, ”How can we be persuaded to
go on preaching and to do so effectively?”.
My answer to that question would be from my own personal conviction that
the inerrant, infallible and the inspired Word of God is holy and worthy of
solid, sound sermons. Each writer was uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit with
their own personality, background, writing methods, and worldview shaping the
presentation of each thought.
It never ceases to amaze me that the scripture in 2 Peter
1:21 (ESV), “ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man. But men
spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” clarifies
everything so perfectly. This gives me great confidence in scripture and
following God’s truths in expository preaching.
When I am preaching the Bible I am preaching a book that is
correct in every way and guaranteed by God Himself. It is essential for the
unsaved and saved alike. Spiritual growth and maturity cannot happen without
the equipping nature of the scriptures. For these reasons alone I would preach
until my heart stops. The Word of God is beautiful.
There are many reasons to preach aside from the Word of God
being what it is. God has called me to preach. This is something I cannot deny.
Through the assistance of this course, the witness of many people I have
preached amongst, and my own convictions I can state with confidence the Lord
has called and gifted me to preach. I
cannot do it on my own or in my own strength and wisdom.
Looking inside and asking the question “Why? Why do I
preach?”. Because Christ died for me to
do so. I have been entrusted by the Lord to be the spiritual leader of the
church I am called to serve. I feel compelled to guard them from lies and false
doctrine, to pour the Word of God into them so they may grow and love the
richness of Word as well as seeking to grow in the Lord. Last but not least, I
have been called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.
In summary, a biblical sermon is being true to the text and
its historical content as well and faithful to declare the Word of God is
simplicity, through the Holy Spirit’s enabling and power. Preaching is
presenting what God has communicated with knowledge and wisdom. I have seen
lives changed through expository preaching as well as topical preaching and
appreciate both styles.