What About Preaching?

And now, my own answer to the question I raised several posts ago regarding the importance of preaching, the role of the preacher, etc.

First, I noticed from the comments of many that a distinction must be made between preaching as personal evangelism and preaching in the vocational sense. As for the former, I agree with those who say that all are responsible to share the love of Jesus with those around them by any ethical means available. I did not intend to discuss that aspect of preaching, but thanks to those who took my question that way for your thoughts. It shows the need for clarifying in our thinking the role of preaching within a church context.

I'll continue on by asking and answering questions like those raised by myself and by your comments.

What is preaching?
Jesus went about preaching, says the Bible. He was no alone. So did the apostles. So did the prophets. So did John the Baptist. What is it? How does it differ from other forms of teaching?

There are books on this subject, so I will not be so lengthy. In short, preaching has it's own Greek word (sounds like "karuxo") that is different from teaching. It has a teaching component, but it is more heralding or announcing or declaring.

What is the value of the pulpit?
The pulpit, in Christian tradition, represents that place where specific men, called by God to a specific office (that of Elder "who works hard a preaching and teaching, a.k.a. the pastor). The pulpit preaching carries on the teachings of the apostles. What did the apostles teach? The meaning of the Old Testament in light of the New. In other words, they took the old Testament and added what they personally knew by their knowledge of Jesus and by the Spirit. This teaching is captured by the New Testament.

This preaching of the Word is the means NOT ONLY OF BRINGING SALVATION TO THE LOST, but is also the food for the church. It is a mistake to think that the main job of the church is to bring the message of salvation to the lost. That would be like saying that the main job of the family is finding more kids to adopt. The main job of the family, rather, is to run itself with love, be a healthy family, well run, that builds up and protects all it's members. Adopting more children is only one part. Likewise, the main job of the church is to become a healthy church, building up and strengthening it's members. Evangelism grows the number of the church and is a very important job of the church. However, if upon entering the church, the new convert does not find life, and love, and health, and a glorious organism that worships God and teaches them how to obey all the Jesus commands, then all is lost!

Jesus is clear that we are to learn to follow Him. The vast majority of the preaching in the life of a Christian happens once he has already received Christ, and that is how it should be. God gave "pastors and teachers" for the building up of the saints for service. The majority of the churches preaching is not to be specifically to the lost.

Preaching is the means of feeding the flock. The flock lives not on food, but on every word that falls from the mouth of God. God has ordained preaching for this purpose. Paul exhorts Timothy, telling him to "preach the word," because there will be many who don't want to hear it IN THE CHURCH. He tells him that the word is adequate to do the job of sanctification, for reproving, training, and all the rest. He tells him that he must teach faithful men who will teach others (2 Tim 2).

Now, if I may preach for a second, let me say that I despise short sermons and I despise felt needs sermons and all the trendy stuff. Why? because the Word of God is worthy of the time it takes to preach. so many sermons I hear are not of the word anyway, but the thoughts of the pastor combined with a proof text. It is time for feeding the sheep the word.

The steady declaration of the cross of Christ and the gospel will feed the sheep and the lost. The showing of the cross of Christ within the other areas of teaching will also feed the sheep.

Who can preach?
Again, I am not talking personal evangelism here (anyone and everyone can), but of that specific ministry within the church given to those known as "elders" who "work hard at preaching and teaching." Not anyone is to do this. It is a calling. Who is called? Well, that's an important question, but it is a different post. we can't answer it all here. I'll tell you who is not called though. No one is called simply because they feel called. 2 Timothy 3, Titus 1, both speak to the qualifications of Elders specifically. no one should assume the authoritative position of a preaching Elder if they do not fit those descriptions. Must one be an ordained elder to enter a pulpit? no. but they should be invited by an ordained elder and overseen in that manner. The preaching of the Word is given to those God calls. But He says, "Let not many of you become teachers..." (James), clearly pointing to the authoritative position within the church.

Should it be central or greater than other ministries? Why or why not?
Yes, of course it should central and even greater than other ministries. If you can either sing or preach, then preach. For it is in declaring the Word of God that the man is changed. Singing has it's place, but preaching is first. When we are in heaven, there will be no need for preaching. Then we shall sing forever. Till then, as we "see through a glass dimly" we must preach. We must declare Him until He arrives


I offer most of this by way of conclusions. In other words, much work must be done to prove and support each assertion. we can discuss those issues if you want to. Let me also clarify that I am not referring to the evangelist. This person is called to the public proclamation of the gospel in a unique ministry manner. Although every Christian should evangelize, not every Christian is an evangelist. As the Ephesians text says, "God gives some . . . as Evangeleists..." not all. They, like pastors and teachers, exist for the building up of the church. They not only add to its numbers, but they are the best teachers to all of us in methods of preaching the gospel ourselves (as we all must).

Been a Long Time

Since I have posted anything. However, look at this article. Thoughts?

We Are . . .

Heroes In Unlikely Places

It's hard to believe that a faith battle with world-wide implications is being waged right here in quiet Western, PA. But it is. At the center of the battle is the issue of biblical authority in the Episcopal Church in America and the Anglican Church worldwide.

The man in the picture is Robert Duncan. He presides as shepherd over the Pittsburgh Diocese which is soon to vote on seceding from the Episcopal Church in America to join with the Anglican confession in a region of Africa (for those who don't know, Episcopal and Anglican share the origin of the Church of England, although there is no one centralized place of leadership for all Anglicans worldwide --except Jesus of course).

They are doing this because of the left-ward drift of the Episcopal Church in America. For their courageous stand, Duncan, as the leader, has received both hatred from the world ("homophobe, narrow minded" etc) and persecution from his own church.

The latest is that the Episcopal Church in America is, by questionable tactics, seeking to remove him from his position before any vote of secession can take place.

Please read about this situation here. Pray for our brothers in the Pittsburgh Episcopal churches. God stands behind those who are standing for Him.

Let me add one quote from Bishop Roberts that I read in an interview that I believe all Christians of all traditions should be willing to agree with and even die for:

The battle is about the authority of Scripture. It's about the basics of Christian faith. It's about sin and redemption. It's just so fundamental. The issues have to do with sexuality and morality, but at the very heart of it is whether Scripture can be trusted. In my experience I learned the one person I could trust was Jesus Christ and the only testament that was reliable was what was in Scripture. And I cannot let the Church, of all bodies, challenge the notion that you can't trust the plain meaning of Scripture.

What Is Preaching?

Let's try a discussion that will benefit us all. What is the value of the pulpit? Why preach? Who can preach? What role does preaching have in the church? Should it be central or greater than other ministries? Why or why not?

What happens when someone preaches? Is preaching a calling or a vocation?

So many questions. Step in and raise some issues, and after you talk, I'll talk back. I want to know what you think.

Wow. Intriguing.

What do you think?

We Must Be Discerning People

Well? What do you think?

I Was Asked About the Lakeland, FL Revival

So I went looking. The man at the center of it is named Todd Bentley. I found a long prophetic word by him and the teaching that went with it. I was going to post it and discuss that, but then I found this video. Watch this for yourself. I will not give you any commentary, good or bad. You tell me what you think.

This One Is Even Better

If you didn't want to read all that stuff on the other post, check out this video. Now, what do you think of this?

Lou Engle? What do you make of him?

This one will take more work. In fact, my guess is, because there is no video, I will get less response. But just in case someone wants to move to the head of the class, examine the text below. Please let me know what you make of it. Again, I will refrain from commenting until later.

(By the way, these words are those of Lou Engle who organized the gathering of laser shofar worship, and is a leader in the IHOP and JHOP movement.)


"Forty years are up! Could the Church of America in a 40-day fast deliver a nation out of a 40-year curse? We have scriptural precedent to believe for such a turning! Therefore, we are trumpeting a call to 40 days of fasting like Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel and Jesus. We must bear the iniquity in 40 days of fasting and intercession for the past 40 years of divorcing God in America, embracing a culture of sexual immorality, hedonism, materialism, abortion and the rejection of Christ in public places. But we are also calling for 40 days of fasting and prayer for the greatest outbreak of Kingdom power, in signs and wonders, and the spiritual awakening in America that will collide with this present darkness and topple its cultural dominion over our people. Thousands went on 40-day fasts in 1946 and in 1947, the great healing revivals broke out. In 1948, the Latter Rain outpourings began, Bill Bright and Billy Graham's ministries were born, and Israel became a nation. Could it be that the 40-day fast preceded this explosion of power by the Spirit? After Jesus' 40-day fast, the scripture says He returned in the power of the Spirit. Yes the promise of Joel 2 is that after the fast, "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh." . . .

Brothers and sisters, moments like these come only once in a lifetime. To miss such a moment could mean missing the purpose of God for a generation. The generation that refused to cross over the Jordan did not know that they had only one day to make the decision, and missing that day meant 40 years in the desert. . . .

Even now we are receiving reports that other countries are calling 40-day fasts. Could we be in a Global 40-day season of fasting (like Jesus), to see a global outbreak of light when great darkness is covering the Earth? Beginning the evening of May 28, we are calling two generations to 40 days of fasting and prayer culminating on 7-7-07, the perfection of time. In a massive, national gathering of fasting, intercession, repentance and worship, we seek to declare our desire to remarry the Lord. We want to cross over into the promise land of national revival. We want to break this 40-year curse. May thousands seek God in water, juice and Daniel fasts from May 28 through 7-7-07, The Call in Nashville. . . .

Moses fasted 40 days and mentored a spiritual son named Joshua, which means the Lord saves. Elijah fasted 40 days and threw his mantle on a double portion son, Elisha, which means the Lord saves. Also, John the Baptist fasted in the desert and prepared the way for a double portion son named Jesus, which means the Lord saves. Jesus fasted 40 days and unleashed the apostolic glory of the eternal Son of God into the Earth. What if we are preparing a generation for the greatest day of salvation in history? And so, what if tens of thousands of both generations fast together and gather on 7-7-07 for The Call Nashville in LP Field, to cry out to God in a Joel 2 moment for great national returning to the Lord? . . . " Complete text can be found here.

What Do You Make of This

please tell me what you think. I'll reserve my own opinions till later.

Powerful Sancitfication Message

Had I seen this little video a few weeks ago, I would have shown it on Sunday morning when discussing pain and sanctification. Maybe it's best I didn't. However, you might want to look now.

What Do You Think This Man Is Saying?

Same Old Thing, The Oprah and E.T. Show!

You know, picking on Oprah is like kicking puppies. Everyone loves Oprah's great personality, including me. However, Oprah has picked a fight with Jesus. She's tearing Him down, and calling his teachings false (though she doesn't realize it). So, the fight must be engaged.

She has gotten herself mixed up with a little guy named Eckhart Tolle. He's a crazy little dude who has taken a little Eastern Mysticism and a little Western Enviromentalism-earth worship, and built himself a budding snake oil business.

He is the Messiah, she is his Prophet. But, instead of me beating her up, I found this place where Chuck Norris is doing it. Now, if Chuck Norris is beating up Oprah, then he can certainly do better than me. Go here to read Chuck's beat down of the big O and E.T. (who looks like E.T.).

Watch This Trailer! You Will Be Glad You Did

You've Got to see this:

Babies are Always A Gift

Obama told a crowd this past week that he would teach his girls morals and ethics (referring to teaching them to abstain from sex before marriage) but if they were to make a mistake (meaning, had pre-marital sex anyway), that he didn't want them to "be punished with a baby."

Punished with a baby? A baby as punishment?

There are two reasons why this statement should be opposed by right-thinking people.
1. Children are a "gift from the Lord." No one deserves to have a baby. Babies always come by an act of God's kindness to undeserving people.

2. Obama's view of personal responsibility is deficient. Pregnancy is not "punishment" for sex, it is the consequence. So, what Obama is saying is that his daughters are not automatically responsible for their actions.

Obama is not unique. His words only reflect the state of thought in our country. Babies that come unplanned are thought of as punishments and burdens, and the idea that one should have to be responsible for one's actions is foreign to us.

May we who are followers of Jesus treat all babies as gifts, and be willing to pay whatever cost we must to take responsibility for our own actions.

Larry's Gone (this good life ends)

We all get by with a little help from our friends, to quote the Beatles. It is certainly true when it comes to me and Christian Music. Larry Norman has been with me almost from the beginning. He died last week at the age of 60. I'll miss him.

And Now: A Quiz! About "The Little Details"

Here's the quiz: Find the problems with this man's approach to Mormonism. The timer is running. Okay, go!

My Trip to the Christian Bookstore, Part II

I admit it, I get depressed at the Christian Book Store. Why? Because their books are dumb. The three books above are marketed with multiple faces and all over the place!

Books by the kind of authors I think are good for Christians are no where to be found. Where is Piper? Where is Mahaney? Where is Driscoll? Where is Edith Schaeffer? Where is Francis Schaeffer? Lewis is there, but beyond the Chronicles of Narnia, not well represented. Where are the reformers? Where are the Puritans? Where are the great missionary books? Where are the great biographies? Where are books that matter? They are not there.

Look at the Bibles, so I do. What do I find? Trendy, packaged editions made to appeal to this section of society or that. Good study Bibles? Rare. Translations? Well the NIV is always well represented. Not many options in NASB nor ESV. Just a few.

Commentaries? Can I just say the selection stinks and leave it at that?

But if I want my best life now, I can find it in book form. If I want books all about how to live a successful and happy life here in America, they are a dime a dozen (just an expression --they are more like $199.99 a dozen).

Here is the problem: Publishers are concerned about marketing what they think will sell. Retailers are concerned about marketing what they think will sell. Publishing and Retailing is a give-the-people-what-they-want business. It is not concerned with what the people need, nor what God's priorities are. If it is "Christian" in label and sells, then that is what is on the shelf.

The problem is compounded by American belief that consumption validates. IN other words, if a product is popular and sells well, it is considered to be a good thing. So Christians go into the book store, see what is pushed and believe that it must be good. And so, they learn fluff, and law-based living, and even heresy from their trip to the bookstore.

Solution: Thinking Christians realizing that publishers and retailers are not Apostles nor are they their pastors. The pastors are found in the church, the apostles in the Bible. What thinking Christians consume should be based on what the apostles place importance on, and pastors should impress the Bible so often and so clearly that Christians know what the Bible teaches.

The Best place to buy Christian books? Amazon.com. They're less expensive and you don't have to get depressed.

My Trip to the Christian Book Store, Part I

I went to the Christian bookstore last week to buy some Resurrection Eggs for my wife (don't ask). When there, I saw the above two books, by the same author, right next to each other. Mixed message? What do you make of it?

McClaren the Heretic

In my last sermon, I mentioned that McClaren had attacked the atonement (the payment of Christ's blood for sin). Here in this clip, you will hear him not only attack the atonement but the doctrine of hell.

Here's what I want to know: Why is Brian McClaren accepted in Evangelical circles as a Christian teacher? He has taught at Willow Creek. He writes regularly for Leadership Journal. His books are found in Christian book stores.

He is saying that Jesus being punished in our place is akin to someone kicking their dog because they are mad at another. He is implying that Christ did not die to receive our punishment by substitution. Furthermore, he is claiming that the doctrine of hell being a place of punishment makes the cross into false advertising. This man is not only a heretic, but he is denying the central doctrine of Christianity, for Paul said, "I have determined to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified."

McClaren should not be known as a Christian teacher.

Should We Laugh or Cry?

This is Rick Joyner, a self-proclaimed prophet. Read what he wrote below. Does anyone take someone like this seriously? Should we laugh? Cry?


"I then felt compelled to look at those who were sitting on the thrones we were passing. As I did, my gaze fell upon a man whom I knew was the apostle Paul. As I looked back at the Lord, He motioned for me to speak to him.

"'I have so looked forward to this' I said, feeling awkward but excited by this meeting. 'I know that you are aware of just how much your letters have guided the church, and they are probably still accomplishing more than all the rest of us put together. You are still one of the greatest lights on the earth.'

"'Thank you,' he said graciously. 'But you do not understand just how much we have looked forward to meeting you. You are a soldier in the last battle; you are the ones whom everyone here is waiting to meet. We only saw these days dimly through our limited prophetic vision, but you have been chosen to live in them. You are a soldier preparing for the last battle. You are the ones for whom we are all waiting.'

"Still feeling awkward, I continued, 'But there is no way that I can convey the appreciation that we feel for you, and all who helped to set our course with their lives and their writings. I also know that we will have an eternity for exchanging our appreciation, so please, while I am here, let me ask, 'What would you say to my generation that will help us in this battle?'

"'I can only say to you now what I have already said to you through my writings. I would have you to understand them better by knowing that I fell short of all that I was called to do,' Paul stated, looking me resolutely in the eyes.

"'But you are here, in one of the greatest thrones. You are still reaping more fruit for eternal life than any of us could ever hope to reap,' I protested.

"'By the grace of God I was able to finish my course, but I still did not walk in all that I was called to. I fell short of the highest purposes that I could have walked in. Everyone has. I know that some think that is blasphemy to think of me as anything less than the greatest example of Christian ministry, but I was being honest when I wrote near the end of my life that I was the greatest of sinners. I was not saying that I have been the greatest of sinners, but that I was the greatest of sinners then. I had been given so much to understand, and I walked in so little of it.'" (The Final Quest, Rick Joyner, Morning Star Publications, 1996, pp. 131-132.)

Seems Simple Enough To Me

A member of my church in New Jersey once asked me about women in combat. Her dad, a good friend, said it was okay with him. I told her it is a bad idea. I'm against it.

Why? Does the Bible prohibit it? Completely! But, not explicitly, unfortunately. The Bible portrays men and women as different and with differing roles. But further, the Bible shows that men and women being different are to relate to their worlds and each other differently.

With that in mind, I said it was a sad country indeed that would ask it's women to protect it's men or would send its mothers out to do battle. Furthermore, I pointed out that it isn't practical. Men act differently when women are around. They are more apt to show off, flirt,other things (!) which will lead to morale issues. Also, men are more likely to take foolish risks in combat if women are there, for internally they are naturally motivated to protect women. Also, women are not as strong (in general --Martina Navatralova being the exception) or fast, etc. Add to that, God made women to carry babies. What could be more important to our species! We should not send them out to catch bullets. I offered many reasons like this.

Let me add that women in the military and women in combat are two different questions. Women can fulfill certain non-combat duties and be in the army. But they should not be in combat situations.

Now, this is not PC. But who cares. PC isn't very smart.

I happened upon an article today by John Piper that sounded much like my own opinion. I love it when people have opinions that support mine! So I am going to give you a little taste of that article and link to the rest.

I'd love to hear your thoughts also.

Here it is, and here it can be found.

If I were the last man on the planet to think so, I would want the honor of saying no woman should go before me into combat to defend my country. A man who endorses women in combat is not pro-woman; he's a wimp. He should be ashamed. For most of history, in most cultures, he would have been utterly scorned as a coward to promote such an idea. Part of the meaning of manhood as God created us is the sense of responsibility for the safety and welfare of our women.

Along those lines...

here's the beginning of a profile of Kabeel. For the rest of the story, click here.

Like most people, I was a product of my childhood. My parents came to the United States from Nigeria. My dad, who was a Muslim, had a quiet strength. He was a strong, big man, who lived his faith, and had great integrity. He said something, and then followed through. I respected him, and wanted to be like him.

My views of Christianity came from my Dad, who said that Christians didn’t really live their faith. Those views always seemed to be played out by the Christians I knew. It seemed that Christianity was a religion that had no discipline. The professed Christians that I saw, even my mother, didn’t seem to have that same strength and discipline I saw in my dad.

Whenever I had encounters with Christians, I would ask them questions they didn’t have answers for. My goal was to cause them to stumble – to point out the inconsistencies in their faith. I went to chapel at San Diego State even though I was a Muslim just because I wanted to listen. And everything I heard confirmed the views given to me by my Dad – Christians were weak. They said one thing and did another. They were full of contradictions. Even when I started reading the Bible, I did so for one reason – and one reason alone – and that was to prove it wrong. In my pursuit to fault Christians, something else happened…

All along, I was struggling with integrity issues of my own. The very things I was critical of in the Christians I knew were the same things I was struggling with. I thought they didn’t seem to have integrity, and yet I was fighting the same battle inside myself. I did and said all the “right things”, but behind closed doors, I was no different than anyone else. I realized I wasn’t really a man of integrity. . .

Continued here

Highest Concentration of Christians

The highest number of Christians gathered in one place, percentage wise, on a Sunday afternoon is not a church picnic. No, it's the NFL. The NFL and prayer meetings go hand in hand. After every game, and sometimes the cameras catch it and sometimes they don't, there is a prayer meeting in the middle of the field for believers from both teams.

Many men convert to Christ while they are in the NFL. It annoys some announcers when such athletes want to give credit to God for everything, but I find it delightful.

Of course, not all of them live out their commitment to Christ well. Like others they can fall or have setbacks. But unlike everyone else, the whole world sees it.

Some of my favorite players have been outspoken Christians, like Chris Carter, Randal Cunningham, Kurt Warner, the other Curt Warner, Mark Brunell, Reggie White, and on and on. Some of the players I enjoyed watching lose have converted to Christ while in the game, like Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders, etc. I still want them to lose, but not be too down over it.

Not just them, but also the coaches. Tony Dungee, Joe Gibbs, Mike Tomlin, Dan Reeves, Tom Landry, Lovie Smith, etc.

Well, it is almost superbowl time. You'll see them. They have a way of popping up everywhere. Maybe I'll profile a few right here on this blog.

By the way, the picture is of Kabeer Gbaja-Biemila. He converted to Jesus while playing for the packers. He also broke the team sack record. IF you don't like the Packers, at least cheer with Kabeer does well on an individual play. He's a brother!

Hookers for Jesus

Here name is Annie Lobert. At one time she was an "escort" or a "call girl." Jesus saved her and now she runs a ministry out of Las Vegas called "Hookers for Jesus." No, they are not prostitutes. The word hooker is used to refer to fishing, as in fishers of men, or in this case, fishers of men and women in the sex-trade industries. She is targeting women mostly, but all in the porn and strip club scene with the gospel. She goes to where they are to meet them and share Jesus with them. (She has a friend who has a similar ministry).

Here's why I like this. Although I'm sure there are many sincere Christians who would object to the name of her ministry and perhaps even the way she goes about it. But she is bringing light into the darkness, as far as I can tell.

We must go to the lost, and very few go to these lost souls and seek to capture them for Jesus. Hats off to Annie -and, of course, we'll keep the rest of the clothing on! :)

Thoughts?